Can Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli be made ahead?

Yes. Cook the beef ahead and add fresh broccoli when reheating for the best texture.

What beef is best for Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli?

Chuck roast or flank steak works well because thin slices become tender in the sauce.

Can Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli be frozen?

Freeze the beef and sauce without broccoli then add fresh broccoli after reheating.

Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe

Description

This Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli is an easy and quick dinner idea with tender beef strips and a rich simple sauce that tastes like the best takeout at home. It is healthy enough for meal prep and cozy enough for weeknight dinner or potluck sharing. Serve it over rice for a no fuss family meal with bold flavor and very little hands on work.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds Beef chuck roast
4 cups Broccoli florets
1 cup Low sodium beef broth
1/2 cup Low sodium soy sauce
1/3 cup Brown sugar
4 cloves minced Garlic
1 tablespoon grated Fresh ginger
2 tablespoons Cornstarch
2 tablespoons Water
1 tablespoon Sesame oil
4 cups Cooked white rice
1 tablespoon Sesame seeds

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Instructions

The beef changes from one large roast into uneven thin strips. The pieces look casual and slightly varied so they cook into tender bites.
The beef strips are placed into the slow cooker and the sauce is poured over them. The meat changes from dry red strips to glossy coated pieces with sauce sitting between the folds.
The beef softens and darkens as the sauce bubbles around it. The pieces shrink slightly and shift into a more relaxed uneven layer.
The cornstarch slurry turns the sauce shiny and thicker. Broccoli is scattered through the beef so green florets sit between dark saucy strips.
The finished beef and broccoli is spooned over rice. The sauce drips into the rice and sesame seeds sit unevenly on top for a homemade finish.

Notes

Pro Tips:

Use chuck roast or flank steak and slice thinly across the grain for the softest beef texture.
Add the broccoli near the end so it stays green and does not turn too soft in the slow cooker.
Whisk the cornstarch with water before adding so the sauce thickens without clumps.
Serve right away over hot rice so the glossy sauce soaks in while the beef stays tender.

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep rice separate when possible so it does not absorb all the sauce. Reheat gently in a saucepan or microwave with a splash of broth if the sauce becomes too thick. Freeze the beef and sauce for up to 2 months and add fresh broccoli after thawing for better texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Category: Dinner
Cuisine: American Chinese Inspired