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Easy Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli: Best 20-Min Prep Recipe

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This easy slow cooker beef and broccoli is a quick, savory, and tender dish that requires only 20 minutes of active prep. Perfect for busy weeknights, it delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 2 medium heads)
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup beef broth, low-sodium
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil, toasted
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Cooked white rice or brown rice, for serving
  • Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
  • Sliced green onions, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Slice the beef: Place flank steak in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to firm up. Cut against the grain into thin strips, about 1/4-inch thick.
  2. Prep the broccoli: Wash and cut broccoli into bite-sized florets. Pat dry with a paper towel and set aside.
  3. Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, beef broth, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
  4. Sear the beef (optional but recommended): Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sear beef strips for 1-2 minutes per side until browned. Transfer to slow cooker.
  5. Cook the aromatics: In the same skillet, add remaining oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Scrape into slow cooker with beef.
  6. Combine everything: Pour prepared sauce over beef in slow cooker. Toss gently with tongs to coat. Do not add broccoli yet.
  7. Slow cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until beef is fork-tender.
  8. Add broccoli: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in broccoli florets. Cover and cook on high for 20-30 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
  9. Thicken sauce (optional): If sauce is thin, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry. Stir into slow cooker and cook on high for 10 more minutes.
  10. Serve and garnish: Spoon beef and broccoli over steamed rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve hot.

Notes

Add broccoli only in the last 30 minutes to avoid mushiness. Slice beef against the grain for tenderness. For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. For a keto version, skip brown sugar and use monk fruit sweetener; serve over cauliflower rice.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef and broccoli, easy beef and broccoli, beef and broccoli recipe, slow cooker recipe, weeknight dinner, beef and broccoli

Find it online: https://spoonette.com/easy-slow-cooker-beef-and-broccoli-best-20-min-prep-recipe/