This Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli is a simple, tasty dinner that everyone asks me to make again and again. The beef turns melt-in-your-mouth tender, the broccoli stays fresh and crisp, and the sauce is rich, savory, and so satisfying.
If your family loves takeout night, this Crock Pot beef and broccoli is the easiest way to bring those flavors home without the delivery fee. I use tender beef chuck roast, a simple soy and sesame sauce, and frozen broccoli to keep prep quick and weeknight-friendly. It's been a favorite in my house for years because it's hearty, flavorful, and the kids always ask for seconds, which is a win in my book!
For another take on tender, flavorful beef, try my Crock Pot Korean beef and slow cooker teriyaki beef.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: This crockpot beef and broccoli recipe comes together with minimal prep. Just add everything to the slow cooker and let it do all the work.
- Tender, Juicy Beef: Cooking beef and broccoli in the Crock Pot makes the meat melt-in-your-mouth tender while soaking up all that savory sauce.
- Flexible Serving Options: Serve over rice cooked in the Crock Pot, noodles, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter twist.
- Better Than Takeout: This easy beef and broccoli recipe delivers those classic flavors at home, with fresher ingredients and no extra costs.
Ingredients
- Beef Chuck Roast: Choose well-marbled beef chuck for tenderness and flavor. Slice thinly for quick, even cooking.
- Frozen Broccoli Florets: Convenient and easy to use, add frozen broccoli near the end of cooking. No need to thaw before adding. If you love broccoli, check out my slow cooker chicken and broccoli recipe next.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce: Makes up the base of the sauce, adding a salty umami flavor.
- Rice Vinegar: Brings a gentle acidity that brightens the sauce.
- Sesame Oil: Gives the sauce that classic toasted sesame flavor found in Chinese dishes.
- Seasonings: Ground ginger, garlic, black pepper, and red pepper flakes add warmth, aroma, and a little kick. Use minced garlic for ease or fresh if you prefer.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Use Ground Beef or Other Cuts: Swap the chuck roast for ground beef for a quicker version of this beef and broccoli crock pot recipe, just brown it before adding. You can also try other cuts like stewed meat, flank steak, or skirt steak for different textures and flavors.
- Vegetable Mix-In: Boost nutrition by adding sliced bell peppers, snap peas, cauliflower, or carrots along with the broccoli during the last 30 minutes of cooking for extra color and crunch.
- Add Heat: Stir in a teaspoon of sriracha or chili garlic sauce for a spicy kick that warms up the classic flavors. If you like spicy dishes, you will love this crock pot jalapeno popper dip.
- Add a Ginger Twist: Freshly grated ginger adds brightness and depth to the sauce, making this beef and broccoli crock pot recipe even more flavorful.
How to Make Beef with Broccoli in the Crock Pot
This slow cooker beef and broccoli recipe is super easy and great for busy days. A little bit of prep, then let the slow cooker do its thing for a tasty, no-fuss dinner.
- Step 1: Prepare the Sauce. Whisk together the soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic until everything is well combined.
- Step 2: Slice and Add the Beef. Slice the chuck roast into thin strips, then place the beef in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the beef and toss to coat all the pieces evenly.
- Step 3: Slow Cook the Beef. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2½ to 3½ hours, until the beef is tender and flavorful.
- Step 4: Thicken the Sauce and Add Broccoli. About 45 minutes before the cooking time ends, mix the cornstarch with cold water to make a smooth slurry. Stir it into the slow cooker, then add the frozen broccoli florets. Cover and cook until the sauce thickens and the broccoli is tender-crisp.
- Step 5: Serve and Enjoy. Ladle the beef and broccoli over steamed rice or noodles for a hearty, comforting meal that rivals your favorite Chinese takeout. For a fun twist, try serving it over these Crock Pot baked potatoes for something a little different.
Expert Tips
- Choose the Right Beef: Use well-marbled chuck roast for tender, juicy results; leaner cuts can dry out during slow cooking.
- Slice Beef Thinly: Slightly freeze the beef before slicing to make thin, even strips that cook faster and stay tender.
- Add Broccoli Later: To keep broccoli crisp and vibrant, add it during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking instead of at the start.
- Keep the Sauce Smooth: Mix cornstarch with cold water to form a smooth slurry before adding it to the slow cooker, preventing clumps.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days to enjoy later. You can freeze this dish for up to three months. Just let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm leftovers gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also reheat in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each until hot all the way through.
- Make Ahead: You can prep the sauce and slice the beef up to a day before cooking. Just store everything together in an airtight container in the fridge until you're ready to toss it in the slow cooker.
Serving Suggestions
- This slow cooker beef and broccoli recipe is great for a busy weeknight dinner. Pair it with steamed jasmine rice or serve with Crock Pot roasted potatoes.
- Enjoy this dish for family dinners or casual get-togethers. It goes great with simple sides like slow cooked green beans or glazed carrots in the slow cooker.
- Make this dish for your next potluck or party, serve it alongside Crock Pot honey garlic meatballs for a tasty meaty spread!
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Just add it during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking so it stays tender-crisp and doesn't overcook.
It's optional. Browning adds extra flavor, but skipping it saves time and still gives a tasty result.
Yes, it's best. Cooking on low allows the beef to become more tender and flavorful, making it the preferred option if you have the time.
More Delicious Beef Recipes
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Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
Beef
- 2 pounds beef chuck roast (trimmed and sliced into thin strips)
- ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¾ cup beef broth
- ⅓ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons garlic (minced)
- 3 cups frozen broccoli florets
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ⅓ cup water
Instructions
- Add soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and garlic in a medium bowl. Whisk until well combined.
- Add sliced beef to the Crockpot and cover with sauce. Mix until meat is completely coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours on high for 2½-3½ hours.
- Forty-five minutes before cooking time is up. Make a slurry with 3 tbsp of cornstarch and ⅓ cup of water. Mix until there are no lumps and add to the Crockpot. Mix until well combined. Add broccoli and finish cooking.
- Serve while hot over noodles or rice, and enjoy!
Notes
- Whisk the cornstarch slurry well to avoid lumps in the sauce.
- Add broccoli towards the end of cooking to avoid overcooking.
- Slice beef thinly against the grain for the most tender texture.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
Shadow says
Do you have to use Frozen Broccoli? I prefer Fresh Broccoli. Would you cook for the same amount of time? add broccoli at the last 45 mins?
Ryan Allen says
Yes, you can use fresh broccoli.
Hope Harrison says
I prepared the meat and wet ingredients and made a marinade for about Forty five hours before putting it in the crockpot The carna asada meat was already nice and tender and thinly sliced When I put it in to marinade,the smell of the ingredients together was fantastic. pictures to come .pretty simple to put together.
Ryan Allen says
I am so glad that you enjoyed it.