Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
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Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli is incredibly flavorful… and so easy to make! Enjoy your favorite takeout dish made in the slow cooker with wholesome ingredients right in the comfort of your own home. Load up the crockpot in the morning and delight in a perfectly cooked meal by dinnertime!!
Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
I’m a huge fan of Asian food — it’s one of my favorite takeout options when I’m feeling lazy.
But for those days when I’m itching to get in the kitchen, I like to make my favorite dishes from scratch. And folks, that’s how this slow cooker beef and broccoli came to be!
I’ve already shared my copycat Panda Express recipe for beef and broccoli, but I wanted one that I could make in my slow cooker.
I usually get it started at some point in the later morning so I know it will be ready when dinner time rolls around.
This set-it-and-forget-it recipe for beef and broccoli in the crockpot is perfect for those busy days when you know you don’t have a lot of time to cook but want to serve something hearty and satisfying to your family all the same.
Plus, it’s a lot more wholesome than restaurant versions. Both are total scores in my book!!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Chuck Roast – The best option for your beef!
Chuck roast is naturally tougher than other cuts — and while that sounds like it wouldn’t be a good thing, it’s perfect for slow cooker beef and broccoli.
The long, slow cooking process allows the connective tissue to break down, resulting in perfectly tender melt-in-your-mouth results! - Beef Stock – I like using stock instead of plain old water as it’s so much more flavorful! You can use vegetable if you can’t find beef, but I wouldn’t use chicken stock.
- Broccoli – To make things even easier, I like frozen broccoli for this recipe. It also has a softer texture than fresh broccoli after slow cooking — which is what you want here!
- Brown Sugar – Adds depth of flavor and a touch of sweetness to an otherwise very salty and savory dish.
In fact, you need to add some sugar to help balance out the other ingredients — if you omit it, your crock pot beef and broccoli recipe will be way too salty. - Cornstarch – Helps thicken the sauce. You could also use flour instead.
- Sauces & Oils – Like any good Asian-inspired recipe, you’ll need a variety of sauces and oils for this dish.
Low sodium soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and olive oil, to be precise! - Seasonings – I’m using dry mustard, garlic powder, sesame seeds, ginger, ground black pepper, and salt. I’ll share some other seasoning options below!
Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe
- Sear the beef before slow cooking if you’d like.
This step is totally optional, but sometimes I’ll sear the chuck roast before adding it to the slow cooker. That extra sear provides a nice browned crust and a lot of extra flavor!
A few minutes in a hot skillet is plenty of time — make sure to sear all sides of the meat.
- Adjust the sweetness.
If you want your recipe for beef and broccoli in the crockpot to be a bit less on the sweeter side, start with ¼ cup of brown sugar instead of ⅓ cup.
You can always add more to taste once the beef is cooked. Or, you can also sub in a small amount of honey for the brown sugar.
- Want crisper broccoli?
No problem! Simply add it during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking time instead of 10-15 minutes before the dish is ready.
This ensures the broccoli florets retain some of their bite, and adds unique texture to the overall final product!
- Low and slow is the way to go!
While you may be tempted to crank your slow cooker up to High to help the process along, slow cooking on Low for the full 4-5 hours is best.
You need to give that connective tissue a chance to break down completely to get perfectly tender and flavorful beef!
- Have fun with this recipe.
There are a few simple updates you can make to my beef and broccoli recipe in the crock pot!
To spice it up, add some chili powder or cayenne. Make it kid-friendly and top with some freshly grated cheese.
Or, create a loaded slow cooker beef and broccoli delight by adding some onions, mushrooms, and some Parmesan cheese.
There are so many directions you could take this in!
Prep Ahead
- Slice the chuck roast
- Remove the frozen broccoli from the freezer
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Quality Knives and a big solid Cutting Board make prepping a breeze and are well worth the investment.
- Slow Cooker – Great for soups, roasts, shredded chicken, and more! I love it in the cooler months, but it’s also great in the summer when you don’t want to heat up the whole house with the oven.
- Mixing Bowls – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your slow cooker beef and broccoli while it’s hot! I love it with rice, garlic bread, roasted veggies, a salad… there are a ton of options!
Asian Sesame Scallion Rice would highlight the Asian flavors, or you could keep it simple with some Instant Pot brown rice.
You can make some garlic bread in the air fryer, or try your hand at this No-Knead Roasted Garlic Skillet Bread.
Honey glazed carrots and grilled asparagus go great with broccoli… and more veggies are always a good thing!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
My recipe for beef and broccoli in the crockpot is a great one to make on a Sunday night before the work and school week gets going.
When stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it will keep for up to 4-5 days!
I like to use my air fryer to reheat leftovers. Place a portion in a heat-proof bowl and air fry at 320°F for about 3-4 minutes.
Beef and Broccoli Recipe in Crock Pot FAQ
Most beef and broccoli recipes call for beef, broccoli, broth, seasonings, and soy sauce — just like my recipe for beef and broccoli in the crockpot.
The sauce forms as the beef, vegetables, sauces, and seasonings slow cook.
Absolutely! I add the raw chuck roast right along with the broccoli florets.
The chuck roast takes much longer to cook than the vegetables, which is why I add it to the slow cooker first for this recipe.
Most Chinese restaurants use a cooking method called “velveting.” It involves marinating thin-sliced beef in baking soda or egg whites — both of which tenderize the meat.
I find I get a very similar texture with my crock pot beef and broccoli recipe!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound chuck roast, sliced
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1/3 cup light brown packed sugar
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 15 ounce bag frozen broccoli florets
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Slice the chuck roast into 1/4-inch thick slices
- In a slow cooker, add the beef stock, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, dry mustard, garlic powder, sesame seeds, ginger, and ground black pepper. Mix well.
- Add the sliced chuck roast around the slow cooker so the meat is spread evenly and coated with the sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until the beef reaches 165 degrees F. Don’t overcook it as it will start to shred and not keep the slice shape.
- Once the meat is cooked, put cornstarch in a small bowl and add 3-4 tablespoons of broth. Mix to create a slurry.
- Add the mixture to the slow cooker. Mix well.
- Add the frozen broccoli to the slow cooker. Mix well.
- Cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the broccoli is cooked to your liking.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published August 2024
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