Description
This Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli recipe offers a delicious and easy way to enjoy a classic Chinese-American dish with minimal effort. Tender slices of beef are slow-cooked in a savory sauce made from beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic. Broccoli is added toward the end to retain its vibrant color and fresh flavor, making a perfect comforting meal served over white rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Sauce
- 2 pounds sirloin steak or boneless beef chuck roast, sliced thin
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Thickening Mixture
- 4 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 Tablespoons water
Vegetables
- 1 bag (12 ounces) frozen broccoli florets
Serving
- Cooked white rice, to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce and Beef: In the insert of a 6-quart crock pot, whisk together the beef broth, low sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic until well combined. Add the thinly sliced beef to the liquid and toss to coat evenly.
- Slow Cook the Beef: Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 5 hours. This slow cooking process tenderizes the beef and allows it to absorb the flavors of the sauce deeply.
- Make the Thickening Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth and no lumps remain. This will be used to thicken the sauce for a glossy finish.
- Thicken Sauce and Add Broccoli: After the beef has cooked, pour the cornstarch mixture into the crock pot. Stir well to incorporate and then add the frozen broccoli florets on top. Gently stir to combine the broccoli with the beef and sauce.
- Cook Broccoli and Thicken Sauce: Cover the crock pot again and cook for an additional 30 minutes on low. This step cooks the broccoli to tender-crisp and thickens the sauce to coat the beef beautifully.
- Serve: Spoon the beef and broccoli mixture over warm cooked white rice. Enjoy a comforting and flavorful meal made easy with your slow cooker!
Notes
- Using thinly sliced beef ensures the meat cooks quickly and becomes tender.
- If fresh broccoli is preferred, add florets in the last 30 minutes of cooking in the crock pot instead of frozen.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- The sauce can be adjusted for sweetness or saltiness by varying brown sugar and soy sauce amounts to taste.
- Leftovers keep well and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat thoroughly before serving.
