Description
A tender, sticky, and savory slow cooker beef and broccoli recipe that is budget-friendly, kid-approved, and perfect for busy weeknights. The beef is sliced against the grain for maximum tenderness, and the sauce is thickened with a cornstarch slurry for a glossy finish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds flank steak or sirloin steak, sliced thinly against the grain
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water (for cornstarch slurry)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- White sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Steamed white rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Semi-freeze the flank steak for 20 minutes to make slicing easier. Slice the beef thinly against the grain and place it in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ¼ cup water, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Pour over the beef and stir to coat evenly.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. (Do not cook on HIGH for best texture).
- About 30 minutes before serving, add the broccoli florets on top of the beef. Cover and cook for another 20-30 minutes until broccoli is tender-crisp.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a smooth slurry. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for the last 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. If too thin, cook uncovered for 5-10 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot over steamed white rice, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
Slice beef against the grain for tenderness. Do not add dry cornstarch directly to the hot liquid; always make a slurry with cold water first. Add broccoli in the last 30 minutes to prevent mushiness. This recipe freezes well without the broccoli. For a low-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving with rice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 1200
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
Keywords: slow cooker beef and broccoli, easy dinner, family meals, beef recipes, slow cooker recipes, weeknight dinner, Asian inspired, budget friendly meals