Description
This Crockpot Beef and Broccoli recipe offers a deliciously tender and flavorful take on a classic Chinese-American dish. Using a slow cooker, the beef is perfectly cooked to juicy tenderness while infused with a savory soy-ginger sauce. Broccoli is added near the end to maintain its vibrant color and slight crunch. Served over steamed rice and garnished with sesame seeds, this comforting meal is straightforward to prepare and perfect for busy days.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Vegetables
- 1 lb flank steak or sirloin beef, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (optional)
Thickening Agent (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Garnish and Serving
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
- Cooked rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Thinly slice the flank steak or sirloin against the grain into strips about 1/4-inch thick. To make slicing easier, freeze the beef for 20-30 minutes before cutting.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, water, and rice vinegar if using. For a thicker sauce, prepare a slurry by mixing cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir it into the sauce mixture.
- Add Beef and Sauce to the Crockpot: Place the sliced beef in the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the sauce over the beef and stir to ensure the strips are evenly coated.
- Cook the Beef: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the beef becomes tender and absorbs the flavors of the sauce.
- Add the Broccoli: About 30 minutes before serving, add the broccoli florets to the crockpot. Stir to mix the broccoli evenly with the beef and sauce. This timing preserves the broccoli’s color and crunch. If using frozen broccoli, add it at this step as well.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you desire a thicker sauce, prepare a cornstarch slurry by mixing the cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the crockpot 10-15 minutes before serving. Allow the sauce to thicken as it cooks.
- Serve: Serve the beef and broccoli mixture hot over cooked rice. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- Freezing the beef slightly before slicing helps achieve thinner, more uniform strips.
- Adding broccoli late in the cooking process prevents it from becoming mushy and maintains its bright green color.
- The cornstarch slurry is optional but recommended if you prefer a thickened sauce.
- Use fresh ginger for a more vibrant flavor, but ground ginger works in a pinch.
- Serve immediately for best texture; leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
