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Easy Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli: Best Weeknight Dinner

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This easy slow cooker beef and broccoli recipe delivers tender, flavorful beef and crisp-tender broccoli in a rich, savory-sweet sauce. It’s the perfect hands-off weeknight dinner that tastes better than takeout.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds flank steak or sirloin steak, thinly sliced against the grain
  • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup beef broth
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons cold water
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • Cooked white rice or brown rice, for serving
  • Optional garnishes: sesame seeds, sliced green onions, sriracha or chili oil

Instructions

  1. Prep the Beef: Place flank steak in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to firm up. Slice across the grain into thin strips, about ¼-inch thick.
  2. Make the Sauce: In the slow cooker, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, beef broth, minced garlic, and grated ginger until sugar is mostly dissolved.
  3. Add the Beef: Place sliced beef into the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
  4. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until beef is fork-tender.
  5. Cook the Broccoli: About 30 minutes before serving, steam broccoli florets in a steamer basket for 3-4 minutes or microwave with 2 tablespoons water for 2-3 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender.
  6. Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Pour slurry into slow cooker and stir. Cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
  7. Combine and Serve: Gently fold steamed broccoli into the slow cooker. Serve immediately over hot cooked rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.

Notes

Do not add broccoli at the beginning; it will turn mushy. The sauce will look thin before adding the cornstarch slurry. For a gluten-free version, use tamari or coconut aminos. For a spicier version, add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or chili garlic sauce.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://noshbelle.com/easy-slow-cooker-beef-and-broccoli-best-weeknight-dinner/