Crockpot Beef and Broccoli

Tender strips of beef bathed in a rich, savory sauce with crisp, vibrant broccoli florets — that’s the magic of Crockpot Beef and Broccoli. This classic takeout favorite transforms into an effortless home-cooked meal that fills your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas while you go about your day. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, breaking down the beef until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender and infusing it with flavors of garlic, ginger, and soy. You’ll learn how to create this foolproof Crockpot Beef and Broccoli recipe that delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort, making it the ultimate weeknight winner for busy families.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Crockpot Beef and Broccoli recipe will quickly become your new weeknight hero for so many reasons. First, the convenience factor is unbeatable — just prep in the morning, set your slow cooker, and return to a complete meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The contrast between the melt-in-your-mouth beef and the fresh snap of just-cooked broccoli creates a textural symphony that elevates this dish beyond simple comfort food.

The sauce strikes that perfect balance — deeply savory with hints of sweetness, garlic, and ginger that coat each piece of beef and broccoli in glossy perfection. It’s also incredibly family-friendly, as the flavors are bold enough for adults while remaining accessible for children. Best of all, this slow cooker beef with broccoli recipe lets you skip the takeout menu without sacrificing flavor, giving you complete control over ingredients while saving money. This is slow cooking at its finest — transforming simple ingredients into something truly spectacular with minimal hands-on time.

Ingredients

For this Crockpot Beef and Broccoli, you’ll need:

• 1½ pounds (680g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
• 1 cup (240ml) beef broth, low-sodium preferred
• ⅔ cup (160ml) low-sodium soy sauce
• ⅓ cup (67g) brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) sesame oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15g) fresh ginger, grated
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 4 cups (300g) fresh broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons (16g) cornstarch
• 4 tablespoons (60ml) water
• Cooked rice for serving
• Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish

The flank steak provides the perfect texture for slow cooking, becoming exceptionally tender while holding its shape. Fresh broccoli is crucial for maintaining that vibrant green color and delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the beef. The combination of soy sauce, beef broth, and brown sugar creates that classic Asian-inspired sauce that makes slow cooker Asian beef dishes so irresistible.

Pro Tips

Slice the Beef Properly
Always slice your beef against the grain into thin strips (about ¼-inch thick). This technique cuts through the muscle fibers, shortening them and making the meat less chewy. For easier slicing, place the beef in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to firm it up first. This simple step makes a dramatic difference in the tenderness of your Crockpot Beef and Broccoli.

Don’t Overcook the Broccoli
The key to perfect texture in this dish is adding the broccoli at the right time. Adding it too early will result in mushy, gray broccoli that lacks both texture and nutrients. For optimal results, add your broccoli during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This timing ensures it becomes tender-crisp rather than overcooked, maintaining that bright green color and satisfying bite that makes crock pot beef with broccoli so appealing.

Perfect Your Sauce Consistency
For that restaurant-quality finish, the cornstarch slurry is crucial. Always mix your cornstarch with cold water before adding it to the hot liquid in your slow cooker. Stir it in thoroughly and allow it to cook for those final 15-20 minutes with the lid slightly ajar. This technique allows some moisture to escape, creating that perfectly thickened sauce that clings beautifully to every bite of beef and broccoli.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Beef
Start by slicing your flank steak against the grain into thin, even strips about ¼-inch thick. This cutting technique ensures maximum tenderness after slow cooking. Place the sliced beef in the bottom of your crockpot, distributing it evenly to ensure consistent cooking.

Step 2: Create the Sauce Base
In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). This combination creates the foundation of flavors that will infuse your beef throughout the cooking process. Pour this mixture over the beef in the crockpot, making sure all pieces are submerged in the liquid.

Step 3: Set Your Slow Cooker
Cover your crockpot and set it to cook on low heat for 3-4 hours or high heat for 1½-2 hours. The low and slow method is preferred as it gives the beef more time to become incredibly tender while absorbing all those amazing flavors. Resist the urge to peek frequently, as each time you lift the lid, heat escapes and extends the cooking time.

Step 4: Add the Broccoli
About 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, add your fresh broccoli florets to the crockpot. Gently stir them into the beef and sauce. The residual heat will cook the broccoli to perfect tender-crisp texture while maintaining its bright green color and nutritional value.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water to create a smooth slurry. During the final 15 minutes of cooking, stir this mixture into your Crockpot Beef and Broccoli. Leave the lid slightly ajar and allow the sauce to thicken, stirring occasionally. The sauce should reach a glossy, coat-the-back-of-a-spoon consistency that will beautifully glaze your beef and broccoli.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Serve your finished Crockpot Beef and Broccoli over hot steamed rice, then garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a professional touch. The contrasting colors and added texture make this weeknight dish look and taste like it came from your favorite restaurant.

Variations

Spicy Beef and Broccoli
For heat lovers, transform this Crockpot Beef and Broccoli into a fiery delight by doubling the red pepper flakes and adding 1-2 tablespoons of sriracha or chili garlic sauce to the liquid mixture. The slow cooking process will mellow and integrate the heat throughout the dish. Finish with a sprinkle of crushed Szechuan peppercorns for an authentic numbing heat that elevates this weeknight staple.

Vegetable-Loaded Version
Boost the nutritional profile by turning this into a veggie-packed crockpot Asian beef recipe. Along with the broccoli, add 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 cup of snap peas, and 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms during the last 30 minutes of cooking. These additional vegetables complement the beef beautifully while adding color, texture, and nutrients without significantly changing the cooking process.

Keto-Friendly Adaptation
Make this Crockpot Beef and Broccoli keto-compatible by replacing the brown sugar with 3 tablespoons of a brown sugar substitute like Swerve or monk fruit sweetener. Increase the sesame oil to 3 tablespoons for added fat content, and serve over cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice. The resulting dish maintains all the flavor while fitting perfectly into a low-carb lifestyle.

Storage and Serving

This Crockpot Beef and Broccoli keeps beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep. Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually continue to develop overnight, making day-two servings sometimes even more delicious. For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months — just note that the broccoli may soften somewhat upon thawing and reheating.

For serving, this versatile dish goes beyond basic rice. Try it over quinoa for a protein boost, or wrapped in lettuce cups for a lighter option. For a complete meal presentation, serve your beef and broccoli alongside steamed dumplings and a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil. For entertaining, transfer to a large serving dish, garnish generously with toasted sesame seeds, green onions, and thin strips of fresh red chili for a vibrant presentation that will impress guests.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli, but add it during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking instead of 30 minutes. Frozen broccoli is partially cooked and will become too soft if added too early. Also, drain any excess moisture from the frozen broccoli before adding to prevent diluting your sauce.

What’s the best cut of beef for Crockpot Beef and Broccoli?
Flank steak and sirloin are ideal for this recipe as they become tender during slow cooking while maintaining their structure. Chuck roast can also work well if sliced thinly against the grain, and tends to be more budget-friendly.

Can I prep this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can slice the beef and mix all sauce ingredients the night before, storing them separately in the refrigerator. In the morning, simply add everything to your crockpot and start cooking.

Why is my sauce too thin?
If your sauce hasn’t thickened properly after adding the cornstarch slurry, try creating another slurry with 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water. Add this mixture while the crockpot is on high with the lid off, and stir frequently for 10-15 minutes.

Can I make this in an Instant Pot instead?
Yes, this recipe adapts well to the Instant Pot. Use the sauté function to brown the beef first, then pressure cook on high for 10-12 minutes with a quick release. Add the broccoli and cornstarch slurry, then use the sauté function again until the broccoli is tender and the sauce has thickened.

Conclusion

This Crockpot Beef and Broccoli is comfort food at its finest — a harmonious blend of tender beef, crisp broccoli, and savory-sweet sauce that creates satisfaction in every bite. It’s the kind of dish that proves homemade can be both easier and more delicious than takeout. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a busy weeknight or meal prepping for days ahead, this slow cooker masterpiece delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort. Add this to your regular rotation, and discover why Crockpot Beef and Broccoli truly equals a weeknight winner that everyone will request again and again.

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