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- 1.5 lbs beef flank steak, sliced thinly against the grain - 4 cups broccoli florets - 1 cup beef broth - ¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free) - ¼ cup brown sugar - 2 tablespoons cornstarch - 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - ½ teaspoon black pepper - Sesame seeds, for garnish - Sliced green onions, for garnish When you shop, look for bright green broccoli. The florets should be tight and firm. Avoid any yellowing or wilting. For beef, choose flank steak with a bright red color. It should feel firm to the touch. Fresh ginger should smell strong and spicy. Look for smooth skin without wrinkles. Garlic should be hard and dry, not soft or sprouting. These tips ensure a tasty meal. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, gather a bowl. In it, mix these ingredients: - ¼ cup soy sauce - 1 cup beef broth - ¼ cup brown sugar - 2 tablespoons cornstarch - 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - ½ teaspoon black pepper Stir everything well until smooth. This sauce adds flavor to the beef. Next, take 1.5 lbs of thinly sliced beef flank steak. Place it in your slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the beef. Make sure each piece is coated. Cover the slow cooker. Set it to low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours. The beef will become tender and tasty. About 30 minutes before serving, add 4 cups of broccoli florets. Place them on top of the beef. Cover the slow cooker again. The steam will cook the broccoli just right. It will stay bright green and crunchy. Once ready, mix the beef and broccoli gently. If needed, adjust the seasoning. Serve hot. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a nice look. Enjoy your meal! To make beef tender, slice it thinly against the grain. The grain runs in one direction. Cutting against it breaks down tough fibers. This helps the meat cook better and taste great. Marinating the beef for at least 30 minutes also helps. Use soy sauce or a bit of vinegar. This adds flavor and helps soften the meat. You can change the sauce to fit your taste. If you like it sweeter, add more brown sugar. For a saltier taste, add extra soy sauce. If you want more heat, try adding red pepper flakes. Be sure to taste the sauce before cooking. Adjust it to suit your family’s likes. You can always add more later if needed. Use pre-sliced beef from the store to save time. This cuts down on prep work. You can also prepare the sauce the night before. Store it in the fridge. In the morning, just add it to the slow cooker with the beef. Cooking the broccoli for the last 30 minutes saves time, too. This way, it stays green and crisp. Pro Tips Slice Against the Grain: Always slice your flank steak against the grain for maximum tenderness. This technique shortens the muscle fibers, making each bite easier to chew. Don’t Overcook the Broccoli: To keep your broccoli vibrant and crunchy, add it to the slow cooker about 30 minutes before serving. This ensures it cooks through without becoming mushy. Customize Your Sauce: Feel free to adjust the sweetness or saltiness of the sauce to suit your taste preferences. Adding a splash of chili sauce can also bring a nice kick! Perfect Garnish: For a beautiful presentation, garnish your dish with freshly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds right before serving. {{image_2}} You can easily make this dish gluten-free. Just swap regular soy sauce for tamari. Tamari is made without wheat, so it works well for those with gluten issues. The taste remains rich and savory. This simple change keeps all the flavors intact. If you want a vegetarian meal, use tofu instead of beef. Choose firm or extra-firm tofu for the best texture. Cut it into cubes. Press the tofu to remove extra water, then marinate it in the sauce. Cook it in the slow cooker just like the beef. This is a tasty way to enjoy the dish without meat. Feel free to add more veggies to the mix. Carrots, bell peppers, and snap peas can enhance the dish. Add them about 30 minutes before serving, just like the broccoli. This keeps them crisp and colorful. Experiment with your favorite vegetables to make this dish your own. After enjoying your beef and broccoli, store the leftovers in an airtight container. Make sure the dish is cool before sealing it. This keeps the food fresh and safe to eat. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to enjoy it later, consider freezing it. To reheat, place the beef and broccoli in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or beef broth to keep it moist. Stir often until heated through. You can also use the microwave. Heat in short bursts of one minute. Stir in between to ensure even heating. You can freeze beef and broccoli for up to three months. First, let it cool completely. Then, place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Remove as much air as possible. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat it as mentioned above for the best taste. Yes, you can use other cuts of beef. Some good options are sirloin, ribeye, or chuck roast. Each cut has a different flavor and texture. Sirloin is lean and tender, while chuck roast is richer and more marbled. Keep in mind that cooking time may vary with different cuts. Always slice the meat thinly to help it cook better. To add spice, you can mix in red pepper flakes or sriracha. Start with a small amount and taste as you go. This way, you can control the heat level. Another option is to add fresh sliced chili peppers to the sauce. They will infuse the dish with great flavor. Yes, you can prepare this dish in advance. Make the sauce and slice the beef ahead of time. Store them in the fridge for up to two days. You can also cook the dish and then store leftovers in the fridge. Reheat gently before serving for the best taste. In this blog post, we explored making Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli from start to finish. You learned about selecting the best ingredients and preparing a rich sauce. I shared tips to ensure tender beef and how to adjust the flavors. We also reviewed tasty variations, such as gluten-free options and ways to incorporate veggies. Lastly, we discussed proper storage and reheating to maintain quality. With these insights, you can enjoy a delicious meal while saving time in the kitchen. Happy cooking!

Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

A delicious and tender beef dish cooked slowly with broccoli in a savory sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 6
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs beef flank steak, sliced thinly against the grain
  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 0.25 cup soy sauce
  • 0.25 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • none Sesame seeds, for garnish
  • none Sliced green onions, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl, mix the soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, cornstarch, minced ginger, garlic, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and black pepper until well combined. This will be your sauce.
  • Place the sliced flank steak in the slow cooker and pour the sauce mixture over the top. Stir gently to ensure all pieces of beef are coated in the sauce.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours until the beef is tender.
  • About 30 minutes before serving, add the broccoli florets on top of the beef in the slow cooker, cover again, and continue cooking. The steam will cook the broccoli perfectly without becoming mushy.
  • Once cooked, give the beef and broccoli a gentle mix and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Serve hot.
  • Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a finishing touch.

Notes

For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Keyword beef, broccoli, dinner, easy, slow cooker