Imagine coming home after a long day to the mouthwatering aroma of Crockpot Beef and Broccoli gently simmering, the savory scent mingling with hints of garlic and sesame to greet you at the door. This beloved takeout favorite is transformed into an outrageously easy, hands-off dinner that tastes even better made at home. With tender slices of beef swimming in a glossy, garlicky sauce and bright, fresh broccoli, everything is perfectly cooked thanks to the slow cooker’s magic touch. Whether you’re feeding a family or simply craving comfort, Crockpot Beef and Broccoli is your new busy weeknight hero.

Crockpot Beef and Broccoli Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love about this Crockpot Beef and Broccoli recipe is how simple, everyday ingredients come together to create something so bold with flavor and satisfying in texture. Each element not only stands on its own, but also plays a vital role to build this iconic dish—tender beef, crisp broccoli, and that sweet-salty sauce you can’t stop craving!

Flank steak (1½ pounds, thinly sliced against the grain): This cut cooks up melt-in-your-mouth tender in the slow cooker and soaking it against the grain ensures every bite is perfectly juicy.
Beef broth (1 cup): Gives the sauce its deep, savory base while adding tenderness and moisture to the beef.
Low-sodium soy sauce (½ cup): Provides that signature salty, umami punch without overwhelming the dish with saltiness.
Brown sugar (⅓ cup): Sweetens the sauce just enough to balance all the savory flavors and contributes beautiful caramel notes.
Sesame oil (1 tablespoon): Adds irresistible nutty richness and authentic aroma to the sauce.
Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Brings bold flavor and depth, making every bite shine.
Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): Thickens the sauce to that silky, takeout-style consistency.
Cold water (2 tablespoons): Combines with cornstarch to make a smooth slurry that won’t cause lumps in your sauce.
Broccoli florets (4 cups): For classic color, fresh crunch, and serious feel-good green power. Steaming first keeps them vibrant!
Cooked white rice (for serving): Soaks up every drop of that delicious sauce, turning this into a complete meal.
Sesame seeds and green onions (for garnish, optional): Sprinkle these on top for a pretty finish and a little fresh bite.

How to Make Crockpot Beef and Broccoli

Step 1: Create the Flavorful Sauce

Start by whisking together the beef broth, low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic directly in your crockpot. This magical mixture is the heart and soul of Crockpot Beef and Broccoli, infusing the meat and broccoli with all that crave-worthy flavor while bubbling away.

Step 2: Add the Beef

Now, gently nestle those thinly sliced strips of flank steak into the sauce. Give everything a good stir to really coat each piece—the sauce is what transforms the beef into something juicy, savory, and ultimately, irresistible. Cover, set your slow cooker to low for 4–5 hours (or high if you need dinner faster), and let the crockpot work its slow-cooking magic.

Step 3: Thicken the Sauce and Add Broccoli

About 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, whip up a quick slurry by stirring together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl until smooth. Pour this into the crockpot to work its thickening wonders. At the same time, stir in your fresh broccoli florets—if you steam them first, they’ll be vibrant and just-tender, not mushy!

Step 4: Finish Cooking and Serve

Pop the lid back on and let everything cook for that last half hour, giving plenty of time for the sauce to get glossy and the broccoli to soak up flavor. When the sauce is thick and coats the beef beautifully, pile big spoonfuls over steaming bowls of cooked white rice. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions makes it feel special enough for company, even on a Wednesday night.

How to Serve Crockpot Beef and Broccoli

Garnishes

Nothing takes this dish over the top like a flurry of toasted sesame seeds and a handful of freshly sliced green onions. Not only do they add color and crunch, but they also bring a touch of freshness that beautifully complements the savory beef and crisp broccoli!

Side Dishes

The obvious (and perfect) sidekick is fluffy white rice, ideally fresh and piping hot. You can also branch out with nutty brown rice, tender jasmine rice, or for a lower-carb route, go for cauliflower rice. A light cucumber salad or pot stickers makes a fun, textural contrast if you’re feeling extra festive.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, consider serving Crockpot Beef and Broccoli in individual rice bowls, topped with extra garnishes. Turn it into Asian-inspired lettuce wraps by spooning beef and broccoli into crisp lettuce leaves. Or scoop it into meal prep containers with rice and a few pickled veggies for ultra-satisfying weekday lunches.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After cooling, transfer any leftover Crockpot Beef and Broccoli into airtight containers. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days, soaking up even more of that savory sauce flavor over time; perfect for quick lunches or dinners all week long!

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully. Simply spoon cooled beef and broccoli (including as much sauce as possible) into freezer-safe bags or containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, defrost overnight in the fridge or gently reheat straight from frozen for a speedy supper.

Reheating

For best results, reheat Crockpot Beef and Broccoli on the stovetop over gentle heat, adding a splash of water or beef broth if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also microwave individual servings, stirring halfway, until hot throughout. The flavors deepen as it sits, making each leftover helping just as tasty.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Absolutely! While flank steak is my favorite for Crockpot Beef and Broccoli, you can substitute with skirt steak or thinly sliced sirloin—just be sure to slice against the grain for maximum tenderness.

How do I avoid mushy broccoli?

The trick is to steam your broccoli florets before adding them in the last 30 minutes of cooking. This keeps them bright, crisp-tender, and vibrantly green—no sad, soggy broccoli here!

Is this dish gluten-free?

If you use a certified gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, Crockpot Beef and Broccoli is easy to make gluten-free. Always double-check your ingredient labels to be safe!

Can I add more vegetables?

Definitely! Bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots work beautifully alongside the broccoli. Just add them with the broccoli so they stay colorful and just-cooked.

What’s the best way to make this spicy?

For a spicy kick, stir in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the sauce before cooking. Adjust to taste and enjoy that gentle heat with every bite!

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for an easy, flavorful dinner that delivers on both comfort and wow-factor, Crockpot Beef and Broccoli is it. It’s the kind of recipe that quickly becomes a staple—simple, satisfying, and crowd-pleasing every single time. I hope you’ll give it a try and let it become as beloved in your kitchen as it is in mine!

Crockpot Beef and Broccoli Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Crockpot Beef and Broccoli recipe is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a busy day. Tender slices of beef simmered in a savory sauce with broccoli florets, served over hot rice, topped with sesame seeds and green onions.

Ingredients

Scale

For the beef:

1½ pounds flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
1 cup beef broth
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
⅓ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced

For thickening:

1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water

Additional:

4 cups broccoli florets
cooked white rice (for serving)
sesame seeds and green onions for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

In the crockpot: Whisk together beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic. Add the sliced flank steak and stir to coat. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or on high for 2–3 hours, until the beef is tender.
Thickening the sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and cold water until smooth, then stir it into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Add the broccoli florets to the crockpot at the same time. Cover and continue cooking until the sauce thickens and broccoli is tender.
Serve: Over hot cooked rice and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.