The Takeout Favorite That Practically Cooks Itself
Whenever I’m craving something savory, saucy, and satisfying, I make my Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli. It’s everything I love about classic broccoli beef from my favorite takeout spot but simpler, lighter, and made right at home.
The slow cooker turns thin slices of beef into melt-in-your-mouth tenderness while the sauce becomes glossy and rich. Add crisp-tender broccoli at the end, and you’ve got a meal that tastes like you worked hard for it, even though your slow cooker did all the heavy lifting.
It’s one of my favorite easy beef and broccoli dinners because it’s just as delicious served over rice, noodles, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb twist.
Here We Go !!
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Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6
Description
A tender, flavorful slow cooker beef and broccoli recipe with a rich, savory sauce. An easy homemade version of the takeout favorite that’s perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
1 ½ lbs flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
3 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
1 cup beef broth
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup brown sugar or honey
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Sesame seeds and green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Whisk together soy sauce, broth, sugar, garlic, and ginger.
- Place beef in the slow cooker and pour sauce over it.
- Cook on low for 4–5 hours or until beef is tender.
- Stir in cornstarch slurry and add broccoli; cook 20–30 minutes more.
- Drizzle sesame oil over top and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
Notes
Add more veggies like bell peppers or mushrooms if desired.
For extra flavor, stir in a spoonful of oyster or hoisin sauce.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner / Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-inpired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 9
- Sodium: 860
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 9
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 36
- Cholesterol: 85mg
What Makes It So Good
This isn’t just a weeknight stir fry it’s the slow cooker’s take on comfort food with an Asian-inspired kick. Here’s why I love it:
- Tender beef every single time.
- Rich, savory sauce that’s perfectly balanced salty, sweet, and a little garlicky.
- Healthier than takeout, but tastes just as good (maybe better).
- Effortless prep toss everything in and let it cook.
- Customizable with veggies or spice.
If you enjoy dishes like my Slow Cooker Beef Stew or crave takeout-style comfort, this recipe will absolutely hit the spot.
Related Recipes
What You’ll Need
The Main Ingredients
- Beef: I use flank steak or sirloin, sliced thinly across the grain it gets beautifully tender in the slow cooker.
- Broccoli Florets: Fresh or frozen, added at the end so they stay crisp and green.
- Garlic and Ginger: The classic duo that gives this dish its signature aroma.
- Soy Sauce: The base of that salty, umami flavor.
- Brown Sugar or Honey: Adds balance and sweetness.
- Beef Broth: Helps create a rich, flavorful sauce.
- Cornstarch: For thickening the sauce to a silky texture.
- Sesame Oil: A drizzle at the end ties everything together.
Optional Add-Ins
- Red Pepper Flakes for spice.
- Carrots or Snap Peas for color and crunch.
- Scallions and Sesame Seeds for garnish.
How It All Comes Together
Step 1: Prepare the sauce.
In a bowl, I whisk together soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. The smell alone is incredible it’s salty, sweet, and savory.
Step 2: Load the slow cooker.
I add the sliced beef, pour the sauce over top, and stir so everything is coated. Then I set the slow cooker to low and let it go for about 4–5 hours, until the beef is tender and infused with flavor.
Step 3: Thicken the sauce.
About 30 minutes before serving, I mix cornstarch with water and stir it into the slow cooker. This gives the sauce that perfect glossy, restaurant-style texture.
Step 4: Add the broccoli.
In the last 20 minutes, I toss in the broccoli so it stays vibrant and crisp-tender. If I’m using frozen broccoli, I let it thaw first to avoid watering down the sauce.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy.
I spoon the beef and broccoli over hot rice or noodles, drizzle with sesame oil, and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. It’s the kind of broccoli beef recipe that tastes like comfort and simplicity all at once.
For another cozy slow cooker dinner, try my Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup or cheesy Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Casserole. Both pair perfectly with this easy weeknight favorite.
Variations to Try
One of the reasons I adore this broccoli beef stir fry–style recipe is how versatile it is. Here are a few spins I’ve loved:
- Spicy Beef & Broccoli: Add a dash of sriracha or crushed red pepper.
- Honey Garlic Version: Swap brown sugar for honey for a lighter sweetness.
- Extra Veggies: Mix in sliced bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms.
- Low Sodium: Use reduced-salt soy sauce and broth.
- Low Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
- Thick Sauce Shortcut: Add a little oyster sauce or hoisin for an umami boost.
Every variation is simple, satisfying, and full of that savory-sweet flavor everyone loves.
A Quick Note Before You Go
This Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli has quickly become a weeknight staple in my home. It’s everything I love about takeout fast, flavorful, and comforting but homemade and healthier.
The beef turns tender, the broccoli stays bright, and the sauce coats every bite perfectly. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’ve done something special, even on your busiest days.
For more slow cooker favorites, you’ll love my Slow Cooker Pot Roast, Crockpot Salsa Chicken, or creamy Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip.
