Description
This Tender Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli features melt-in-your-mouth beef simmered in a savory, sweet, and garlicky sauce until tender. Fresh broccoli is added near the end for a bright contrast, creating an easy, homemade takeout-style dinner perfect for busy nights.
Ingredients
Beef and Broccoli
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast or flank steak, thinly sliced
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Sauce
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup beef broth
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- ½ tsp black pepper
Thickener
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cold water
Instructions
- Prepare the beef: Place the thinly sliced beef into the slow cooker, spreading it evenly.
- Mix the sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, rice vinegar, and black pepper until fully combined.
- Add sauce to beef: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef in the slow cooker and gently stir to coat all the meat evenly.
- Slow cook the beef: Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2½ to 3½ hours, until the beef is tender and easily shredded.
- Add broccoli: Approximately 20 to 30 minutes before serving, add the broccoli florets into the slow cooker and stir gently to combine, allowing the broccoli to steam and retain a vibrant color and slight crispness.
- Create cornstarch slurry: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water to form a smooth slurry.
- Thicken the sauce: Stir the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker and increase the heat to HIGH, cooking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken to a glossy finish.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the dish before serving. Serve hot over steamed white rice, brown rice, or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- For maximum tenderness, always slice the beef against the grain.
- You can substitute flank steak with chuck roast or sirloin for variations.
- Add broccoli near the end to keep it bright green and slightly crisp, avoiding sogginess.
- For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or a drizzle of Sriracha to the sauce before cooking.
- If the sauce thickens too much, stir in a small amount of beef broth to reach desired consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Main Course, Dinner, Slow Cooker, Asian-Inspired
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Chinese-American
