Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef (2024)

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4.89 from 204 votes

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Total Time: 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Published: February 17, 2015Updated: July 5, 2021

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Super easy Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef! The sweet/savory/garlicky sauce is AMAZING, not to mention so much better tasting and healthier than takeout.

If you love Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef, you’ve gotta try my NEW INSTANT POT BROCCOLI BEEF, as well as my popular Shredded Chicken Tacos, Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff, and Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon.

Say hello to my new favorite thing ever: This absolutely, hands down, best-ever, all-time favorite Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef recipe.

Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef (2)

And that statement includes every broccoli beef recipe I’ve ever tasted — all of which were ordered from a restaurant establishment. This is my way of telling you that this broccoli beef is quite literally better than takeout. I know bloggers say that a lot. But today, it just has to be said. One taste and you’ll agree with me.

Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef (3)

This past November we visited my grandparents in California and promised them that they were welcome at our house for dinner the next time they were in town. Well, this past weekend they were in town and they took us up on this offer.

I’m happy to report, this broccoli beef did not fail me. My grandparents (and Pops!) went on and on and onnnnnn about how much they loved it. Can I get a woot! woot! for impressing the husband, father, grandmum and grandpop in one fell swoop?

So easy, incredibly tasty, healthy, and company-worthy… just do yourself a big fat favor and skip the takeout in favor of home cooked next time you’re craving this Asian classic.

Here’s What You Need

  • Flank steak
  • Beef broth
  • Low sodium soy sauce
  • Brown sugar
  • Sesame oil
  • Minced garlic
  • Red chili flakes (optional)
  • Broccoli florets
  • Cornstarch
  • Cold water

Here’s How You Make it

Wondering how to make broccoli beef in your crockpot? It’s easy! I’ll walk you through it. Not only is this delicious, it’s super simple to throw together in the slow cooker, go on about your day, and come back a few hours later to dig in.

  1. After I’ve chopped, cut, and measured all the ingredients, I bring them all over to the slow cooker to put in and forget about it for a good 4-5 hours.
  2. First, grease the inside of the slow cooker, then add the steak, broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, oil, garlic and chili flakes if you are using it. Add the lid and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours.
  3. Make a slurry from cornstarch and water right before you’re ready to serve this beef recipe. Then, add the slurry to the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce. Put the lid back on and let the sauce cook up and thicken for another 20-25 minutes.
  4. Now for the broccoli. While you’re waiting for the sauce to thicken, microwave your florets (or steam on the stovetop) and add the broccoli to the beef right before serving, mixing in well to coat the broccoli in the delicious sauce.
  5. Time to serve this delicious dish, sit back and watch the smiles form on everyone’s faces as they enjoy this better-than-takeout Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef.
Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef (4)

Expert Tips and Tricks

While this broccoli beef dish is great the way it is, there are plenty of ways to tweak it to your tastes:

  • Add 1-2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes to the beef and sauce before setting the cooking time.
  • For even more heat, top with Sriracha after plating the dish.
  • Use a combination of broccoli and cauliflower for your vegetables. Or, add in more Asian veggies like snow peas, water chestnuts, or thick-cut carrots.
  • For a super fast shortcut to cooking the vegetables, use frozen broccoli that cooks right in the bag. Follow the directions on the bag for best results.
  • Purchase already-cut flank steak at your grocery store or ask the butcher. You might find it labeled “fajita steak” or something to that effect. You can just add that right into the slow cooker, no cutting required!
  • If you are cutting your own flank steak, be sure to cut across the grain. This ensures the muscle fibers are cut as short as possible, thus making the meat as tender (i.e. not chewy) as possible.
  • If you have trouble cutting your steak, you can freeze it first for up to an hour to make it easier to slice into.
  • I like to garnish this with sliced green onions or cilantro. This gives the dish a little more bite at the end.

What Cut of Beef do Chinese Restaurants Use?

Chinese restaurants usually use a topside of beef. Something like flank steak, that’s low in fat and can be sliced easily. This ensures the beef cooks up nice and tender and just makes for the best stir-fries and other Asian beef dishes like this one.

You can also use skirt steak, hanger steak, or even brisket if that’s all you have/can find. Happy eating!

Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef (5)

More Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Enjoy

  • Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
  • Slow Cooker Beef Roast
  • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

Did you try this crockpot broccoli beef recipe? YAY! Please rate the recipe below!

Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef (6)

Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef

Super easy Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef! The sweet/savory/garlicky sauce is AMAZING, not to mention so much better tasting and healthier than takeout.

4.89 from 204 votes

PrintPinRate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours hours

0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds flank steak - thinly sliced and chopped into 2 inch pieces
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • cup low sodium soy sauce
  • cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes - (optional)
  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 4 tablespoons cold water

Instructions

  • Grease the inside of a slow cooker. Add steak, beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and chili flakes. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low 4-5 hours.

  • Minutes before serving, uncover the slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk corn starch and water until dissolved. Add to slow cooker and stir. Cover and allow to cook another 20-25 minutes.

  • Just before serving, place broccoli in a large tupperware, fill with 1/2 inch of water, and place the lid on in an off-set manner so that the container can vent. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Drain, stir broccoli into slow cooker, and serve.

Notes

For a bit of a spicy kick, add a full 1-2 teaspoons of crushed red pepper flakes

Nutrition

Calories: 410 kcal, Carbohydrates: 32 g, Protein: 42 g, Fat: 13 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Cholesterol: 102 mg, Sodium: 1768 mg, Potassium: 1011 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 20 g, Vitamin A: 604 IU, Vitamin C: 82 mg, Calcium: 109 mg, Iron: 4 mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian

Author: Tiffany

Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @cremedelacrumb1 on Instagram and hashtag it #cremedelacrumb!

Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef (2024)

FAQs

Why is my beef still tough in slow cooker? ›

“Beef may be tough in the slow cooker if you haven't added enough liquid, or haven't cooked it for long enough,” Kristen Carli, M.S., R.D., owner of Camelback Nutrition & Wellness, tells SELF. “For cuts of meat, the fattier cuts are often the ones that get juicy and tender.

Can I put raw beef straight into a slow cooker? ›

Yes, you most certainly can cook raw meat in the slow cooker! You put it in “cold”, with whatever liquid your recipe calls for, turn it on either “low” or “high” depending on your recipe (I usually start it on “high” for a couple hours, then turn it to “low”), and in 6–7–8 hours, it's now COOKED meat!

How do I make sure my beef is tender in a slow cooker? ›

Simply add the meat to your slow cooker with aromatics, stock and sauces and cook either on High for 4-5 hours or on Low for 5-8 hours. How do you make meat tender in a slow cooker? Choosing a cut of beef best suited for low and slow cooking is the ideal way to get extra tender meat.

Why putting a tea towel over a slow cooker? ›

Try putting a tea towel over the top of the slow cooker before replacing the lid. This absorbs the excess moisture, thickening the dish and deepening its flavours. The cloth can be replaced with a fresh one when needed, but usually one tea towel during the final couple of hours will do the trick.

Why put foil under the lid of a slow cooker? ›

The heat bounces off from the lid and allows your food to cook faster. Also, you will not lose any of the steam that usually evaporates.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

The difference is the time it takes to reach that temperature. Low: 7-8 hours to reach the simmer point. High: 3-4 hours to reach the simmer point.

What vegetables should not be added to a slow cooker? ›

Tender vegetables

Vegetables such as peas, asparagus and peppers can become a flavorless, mushy mess in a slow cooker. Stick to heartier root vegetables like potatoes, onions, leeks and yams, or wait to add the tender vegetables until the last 30 minutes or so of cooking time.

What happens if you don't brown meat before a slow cooker? ›

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

Does meat get more tender the longer you slow cook it? ›

Collagen makes meat tough when cooked quickly, but when slow-cooked, it breaks down into gelatin, giving you that juicy, tender mouthfeel. Fattier — and cheaper — cuts of beef can also be good for slow cooking, because the fat helps to ensure the beef won't dry out while adding extra flavour.

Does beef get more tender the longer it simmers? ›

Therefore, it's normal that we have to cook longer. What happens during slow-cooking, with juice or sauce, is that the collagen that's in the meat's muscular tissues is gradually transformed into some kind of gelatin and thus allows the piece to be more tender, the more it simmers.

What is the most tender beef for a slow cooker? ›

Chuck roast is one of the more popular slow-cooker options because of how tender and flavorful it becomes after several hours of cooking on low.

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? ›

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? Slow cookers only apply heat to the bottom of the crock, which cuts down on their ability to reduce liquids and brown foods, and develop flavor the same way a Dutch oven or pressure cooker can.

What foods should not go in a slow cooker? ›

But before you get in the kitchen, avoid these common things you should never put in a slow cooker.
  1. Lean/expensive cuts of meat. Cuts of meat (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  2. Frozen foods. Frozen vegetables (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  3. Leafy vegetables. ...
  4. Creamy ingredients. ...
  5. Seafood. ...
  6. Pasta. ...
  7. Rice.
Mar 23, 2024

Is there anything you can't cook in a slow cooker? ›

Fish, shellfish, oysters and clams need to be cooked quickly. Obviously, slow cooking isn't quick, and it will obliterate these delicate proteins. The only seafood exceptions are squid and octopus because they tend to be tough meats and slow cooking makes them tender.

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