If you’re craving a mouthwatering dinner that’s both effortless and packed with flavor, Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli is here to save your weeknight meals. This classic dish combines tender, juicy beef with crisp-tender broccoli, all simmered to perfection in a savory sauce. With Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli, you get restaurant-quality taste without the fuss, plus the comfort of home-cooked goodness anytime you want.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Cooking: Just toss your ingredients into the slow cooker and walk away – no constant stirring or attention needed.
Perfectly Tender Beef: Slow cooking ensures the beef melts in your mouth, making every bite a delight.
Healthy and Balanced: Fresh broccoli adds vibrant color and nutrients, balancing the rich, savory sauce.
Versatile Meal: Easily adaptable for different tastes and dietary preferences with minimal tweaks.
Great for Busy Schedules: Set it in the morning and come home to a hot, flavorful dinner ready to enjoy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli recipe requires simple, reliable ingredients that come together beautifully. Each plays a crucial role in delivering incredible flavor, texture, and that perfect balance between savory and fresh.

Beef Chuck or Flank Steak: Choose thinly sliced beef for tenderness and quick cooking.
Broccoli Florets: Fresh broccoli brings a crisp contrast and vibrant green color.
Soy Sauce: Provides the deep, umami flavor essential for the sauce.
Brown Sugar or Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory elements.
Garlic and Ginger: Fresh minced garlic and ginger brighten the dish with warmth and zest.
Beef Broth: Helps create a rich, flavorful sauce and keeps the beef moist.
Cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce into a luscious glaze.
Sesame Oil: Just a splash at the end adds a nutty aroma and depth.

Variations for Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli

One of the best things about this Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli recipe is its flexibility. You can tweak the ingredients or cooking method to suit your tastes or dietary needs without losing that wonderful homemade charm.

Make it Gluten-Free: Swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos to keep it gluten-free.
Spicy Kick: Add chili flakes or Sriracha for a flavorful heat boost.
Vegetable Boost: Toss in mushrooms, bell peppers, or snap peas for added crunch and color.
Low-Sodium Version: Use low-sodium soy sauce and reduce added salt to control sodium levels.
Keto-Friendly: Replace brown sugar with erythritol or omit sweetener for a low-carb option.

Easy Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli Recipes

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli

Step 1: Prepare the Beef

Start by slicing your beef thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness. This simple step helps the meat cook evenly and absorb all the delicious flavors from the sauce.

Step 2: Mix the Sauce

In a bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and beef broth. This mixture creates the signature savory-sweet base that brings everything together.

Step 3: Layer Ingredients in the Slow Cooker

Place the sliced beef in the bottom of the slow cooker, then pour the sauce over it. Slow cooking will tenderize the meat and infuse every bite with flavor.

Step 4: Cook Low and Slow

Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the beef is tender. Resist the urge to open the lid too often to keep the temperature steady.

Step 5: Add and Thicken with Broccoli

About 30 minutes before serving, add fresh broccoli florets. Mix cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry, stir it into the slow cooker, and let the sauce thicken and the broccoli steam to crisp-tender perfection.

Step 6: Finish with Sesame Oil and Serve

Once thickened, drizzle in a little sesame oil for extra flavor. Give everything a gentle stir and serve this delicious slow cooker classic over steamed rice or noodles.

Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli

Use Thin Slices: Thin, uniform beef slices cook evenly and stay tender during slow cooking.
Don’t Overcook Broccoli: Add broccoli late to keep it vibrant and crisp.
Make a Slurry: Mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to avoid lumps in the sauce.
Brown Your Beef Optional: Quickly searing beef beforehand boosts flavor but isn’t necessary.
Low and Slow is Best: Cooking on low heat brings out maximum tenderness and depth of flavor.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli

Garnishes

Top your plate with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions for a fresh, crunchy finish that complements the rich sauce perfectly.

Side Dishes

Serve over steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or buttery noodles to soak up every bit of that delicious sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli inside lettuce cups for a light and fun twist, or pair it with cauliflower rice for a low-carb feast your guests won’t forget.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making next-day meals even better.

Freezing

This dish freezes well — just pack cooled portions into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Warm leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat or microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out and refresh the sauce’s silkiness.

FAQs

Can I use different cuts of beef in this recipe?

Absolutely! Flank steak, sirloin, or even stew meat work well as long as the beef is sliced thinly against the grain for tenderness.

How do I prevent the broccoli from getting too mushy?

Add the broccoli during the last 30 minutes of cooking so it stays crisp-tender rather than overcooked and soggy.

Is there a vegetarian version of Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli?

Yes! Substitute beef with firm tofu or tempeh and use vegetable broth for a satisfying vegetarian twist.

Can I make this recipe without a slow cooker?

Definitely. You can prepare it on the stovetop in a large skillet or Dutch oven by simmering the beef and sauce and adding broccoli near the end.

What is the best way to thicken the sauce?

Mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry, then stir it into the hot slow cooker during the last 30 minutes to get a smooth, glossy sauce.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli recipe is a true weeknight hero – simple to prepare, nutritious, and utterly delicious. Whether you’re a busy parent, a beginner cook, or just someone who loves comfort food, this dish will quickly become your go-to favorite. Give it a try and enjoy a warm, hearty meal that feels like a special occasion every time.

Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli

Print Recipe

Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli is a flavorful and effortless weeknight dinner that combines tender, juicy beef with crisp-tender fresh broccoli simmered in a savory, slightly sweet sauce. This recipe delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal prep and cooking effort, perfect for busy schedules and adaptable for various dietary preferences.

Author: Mary
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5-6 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: Asian
Diet: Gluten Free (with substitutions)

Ingredients

Scale

Beef

1 lb thinly sliced beef chuck or flank steak

Vegetables

3 cups fresh broccoli florets

Sauce

1/2 cup soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
2 tbsp brown sugar or honey (or erythritol for keto)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
1/2 cup beef broth
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp cold water
1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions

Prepare the Beef: Slice the beef thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness and even cooking, helping it absorb the sauce flavors perfectly.
Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and beef broth to create the savory-sweet base sauce.
Layer Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: Place the thinly sliced beef at the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the beef to coat it well.
Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, allowing the beef to become tender and flavorful. Avoid opening the lid frequently to maintain consistent temperature.
Add and Thicken with Broccoli: About 30 minutes before serving, add fresh broccoli florets to the slow cooker. Mix cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry and stir it into the slow cooker. This will thicken the sauce and let the broccoli steam to crisp-tender perfection.
Finish with Sesame Oil and Serve: Once the sauce has thickened and broccoli is cooked, drizzle sesame oil over the dish and gently stir. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

Use thin, uniform slices of beef to ensure even cooking and tender texture.
Add broccoli late in cooking to keep it crisp and vibrant.
Mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to the slow cooker to avoid lumps in the sauce.
Searing the beef beforehand is optional but can add extra flavor.
Cooking on low heat yields the best tenderness and flavor depth.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 900 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg

Keywords: slow cooker, beef and broccoli, easy dinner, healthy, gluten free, crockpot, weeknight meal