Crockpot Beef and Broccoli is my new favorite easy dinner! A sweet and savory sauce covers every last tender bite of beef and broccoli. Just whip up a batch of rice and dinner’s ready. This easy beef and broccoli is perfect for busy weeknights!
I’ve been so excited to share this slow cooker beef and broccoli recipe with you! If you’ve had beef and broccoli before, you know about the irresistible sauce, impossibly tender bites of beef, and perfect broccoli … but this time, there’s no need for takeout, because you can make it right in your Crockpot at home!
If you’ve ever wondered how to make beef and broccoli, look no further! Crockpot cooking is the perfect way to make it, because the low and slow environment allows for the marinade to permeate the meat and creates the most juicy, tender bites of beef.
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Saves money – I love creating takeout-inspired recipes to make at home, and this easy Crockpot beef and broccoli is often on the menu! It saves my dining-out budget and I can make the dish exactly how I like it.
- Just a few minutes prep time – Cut up the beef, add it to your slow cooker, add the sauce ingredients, and then a few minutes before serving, toss in the broccoli and cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. This one is SO easy to make!
- Simple yet phenomenally tasty – This really is the BEST beef and broccoli Crockpot recipe! It’s such an unfussy Crockpot recipe, made with just 9 easy-to-find ingredients and super straightforward to make.
Recipe Notes
This Crockpot Beef and Broccoli recipe is as simple as promised! Just 9 ingredients for a family friendly dinner.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Crockpot Beef and Broccoli to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Round steak – This cut of meat for beef and broccoli is perfect for Crockpot cooking because the low-and-slow environment tenderizes the beef perfectly.
- Soy sauce – Adds salty, umami flavor. If you need to make a gluten-free beef and broccoli marinade, you’ll want to swap the soy sauce out for gluten-free Tamari sauce instead.
- Apple cider vinegar – Adds a touch of tangy flavor. Don’t skip it!
- Garlic – Three cloves of garlic, peeled and minced finely.
- Ginger – One teaspoon of minced ginger. To peel fresh ginger, use a spoon – it works surprisingly well!
- Red pepper flakes – For a bit of heat. For a spicier beef and broccoli Crockpot recipe, add a bit more, or you can leave it out if you want a milder version.
- Brown sugar – For a touch of rich sweetness.
- Cornstarch – Mixed with water, cornstarch added to the hot liquid will help the beef and broccoli marinade thicken into a glossy, rich sauce.
- Broccoli – 8 ounces, or about 3 cups, of bite-size fresh broccoli florets. You can also use thawed frozen broccoli, but the texture won’t be quite the same.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Beef and Broccoli with Cauliflower– Swap out half of the broccoli for cauliflower florets for a little variation.
- Gluten-Free Crockpot Beef and Broccoli– Substitute tamari for the soy sauce.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Crockpot Beef and Broccoli.
Cut the beef into bite-size pieces. Add the beef to the slow cooker.
Add the soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes, and brown sugar.
Mix together until every piece of beef is coated. Cover the slow cooker and cook until the beef is done.
Add the cornstarch and water slurry and the broccoli. Cook until the broccoli is tender and the sauce is thick and glossy.
Recipe Tips
- Place the beef in the freezer – Freezing the beef for 15-20 minutes will help firm it up for easier cutting.
- Use a meat thermometer – To double-check that the steak is cooked through, insert an instant-read thermometer into the middle of one of the larger pieces of steak. If the temp reads 145°F or hotter, it’s done!
- Try a thicker, sweeter sauce – Increase the brown sugar to 1/2 cup and increase the cornstarch and water to 1/4 cup each.
- Make it extra saucy – Double all of the beef and broccoli marinade ingredients for an extra saucy version.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Use pre-minced garlic and ginger – You can find already-minced ginger and garlic at most well-stocked grocery stores to save yourself a bit of chopping time.
- Prep ahead – Place the beef and marinade ingredients (except for the cornstarch) into an airtight container or storage bag and refrigerate for up to 3 days in advance. When you want Crockpot Beef and Broccoli for dinner, just dump it in the Crockpot then proceed with the recipe once the beef is cooked. You can also prep the broccoli and store it in the fridge beforehand, too.
- Freeze ahead – Freeze this beef and broccoli Crockpot recipe before or after cooking for extra busy days. See “Freezer Meal Instructions” for more info.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this Crockpot Beef and Broccoli recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Add beef and sauce ingredients to a freezer-safe storage bag.
- Label and place in freezer for up to 6 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Pour contents into the slow cooker and proceed with recipe as directed.
How to Freeze Crockpot Beef and Broccoli After Cooking
- Allow the beef and broccoli to cool to room temperature.
- Transfer to a freezer-safe container or storage bag.
- Label and freeze for up to 6 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments (stir in between heating) or in a baking dish covered with foil in the oven.
What to Serve with Crockpot Beef and Broccoli
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of Asian-American cuisine, it will pair well with many of your favorite Asian-inspired side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Spicy Sriracha Asian Coleslaw
- Asian Cucumber Salad with Ginger Soy Dressing
- Easy Vegetable Fried Rice or Lemon Rice
Crockpot Beef and Broccoli Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Beef and Broccoli Noodles– Cook up a batch of noodles such as ramen, soba, lo mein, spaghetti, or yakisoba. Add to a large skillet or wok with leftover beef and broccoli. Cook, stirring frequently, until warmed through. Garnish with sesame seeds.
- Beef and Broccoli Stuffed Scallion Pancakes– Pick up some scallion pancakes from the freezer section of Trader Joes or another grocery store. Fry on both sides until warm, and warm the leftover beef and broccoli in the microwave. Stuff each scallion pancake with some of the warmed leftover beef and broccoli and serve.
- Beef and Broccoli Fried Rice– Chop up leftover beef and broccoli into smaller pieces. Make this Steak Fried Rice recipe, starting at bullet point 4 in the recipe instructions, and adding the leftover beef and broccoli with the rice and veggies.
Recipe FAQ’s
Can broccoli be cooked in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! I do suggest adding it toward the end of cooking so that it’s tender and cooked through without becoming mushy.
What is beef and broccoli sauce made of?
The recipe varies, but oftentimes, traditional beef and broccoli contains soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar for a touch of sweetness. Garlic and ginger are common ingredients, too.
More EASY Crockpot Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy Crockpot recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
- French Onion Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa
- Crock Pot Sirloin Tip Roast
Crockpot Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
First:
- 2 pounds round steak, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
Later:
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon water
- 8 ounces broccoli florets
Instructions
- Add your cubed steak to the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes, and brown sugar over the meat.
- Stir to combine, and evenly coat the beef in the sauce.Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or low for 4-5 hours.
- At the end of the cook time, combine the cornstarch with water to form a slurry, and then stir into the slow cooker. Add the broccoli and stir everything to coat the broccoli in the sauce.
- Cook on low for 30 more minutes, until the sauce has thickened and the broccoli is tender.
Recipe Notes
- Soy sauce: Tamari can be used. Bonus: That will make the recipe gluten-free.
- chopped green onions
- sesame seeds
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