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Easy Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli: Best Homemade Recipe

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This Easy Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli is a simple, budget-friendly recipe that delivers tender beef and a savory, sticky sauce with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, it tastes better than takeout and uses pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs flank steak or chuck roast, sliced into thin strips against the grain
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Cooked rice for serving

Instructions

  1. Slice the beef: Place the flank steak or chuck roast in the freezer for about 15 minutes to firm up. Slice against the grain into thin strips, about 1/4-inch thick. Pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Sear the beef: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add beef strips in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until deeply browned. Transfer to the slow cooker. Repeat with remaining oil and beef.
  3. Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, beef broth, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Pour over the beef in the slow cooker and stir gently.
  4. Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until beef is fork-tender.
  5. Add broccoli: About 30 minutes before serving, add broccoli florets to the slow cooker and stir into the sauce. Cover and cook on HIGH for 20-30 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
  6. Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth. Remove lid, turn slow cooker to HIGH, and pour in slurry, stirring gently. Cook uncovered for 5-10 minutes until sauce thickens.
  7. Finish and serve: Turn off slow cooker. Stir in sesame oil and red pepper flakes (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately over steamed rice.

Notes

Don’t skip searing the beef for best flavor. Slice against the grain for tenderness. Add broccoli at the end to avoid mushiness. For a thicker sauce, mix another teaspoon of cornstarch with water and cook 5 more minutes. For gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef and broccoli, easy beef and broccoli, homemade beef and broccoli, slow cooker recipe, beef and broccoli recipe

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/easy-slow-cooker-beef-and-broccoli-best-homemade-recipe/