The Ultimate Crockpot Beef and Broccoli (Better Than Takeout!)
Imagine coming home after a long day to the incredible, savory aroma of your favorite Chinese takeout dish simmering away, ready to be devoured. Picture melt-in-your-mouth, tender slices of beef and perfectly crisp-tender broccoli, all coated in a rich, glossy, and deeply flavorful sauce. That, my friends, is the weeknight-saving magic of this Crockpot Beef and Broccoli. This is, without a doubt, the easiest and most delicious way to satisfy that takeout craving at home.
I promise you, there is no greater weeknight victory than this “dump and go” dinner. The sauce is a perfect symphony of savory, sweet, and rich flavors, and our little trick of adding the broccoli at the very end ensures it stays bright green and perfectly crunchy. It’s a true family-pleaser that will have everyone thinking you ordered in.
Get ready to ditch the takeout menu for good and create a stunning, healthy, and completely delicious beef and broccoli that will become a new staple in your dinner rotation.
Why This Crockpot Version is a Game-Changer
You are going to be completely hooked on how easy and flavorful this recipe is. It truly tastes better than takeout. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Melt-In-Your-Mouth Tender Beef: The low-and-slow cooking process is the secret to unbelievably tender, juicy strips of beef that you just can’t get from a quick stir-fry.
- Perfectly Crisp-Tender Broccoli: By adding the broccoli only during the last 30 minutes, it steams to a perfect, vibrant green, crisp-tender texture—never mushy!
- A Truly “Set It and Forget It” Meal: With minimal prep, you can throw everything in the crockpot in the morning and come home to a delicious, hot dinner.
- An Incredibly Rich and Savory Sauce: The simple sauce combination is perfectly balanced and thickens into a glossy, flavorful coating that clings to every piece of beef and broccoli.
- Healthier and More Affordable Than Takeout: You get to control the ingredients, like using low-sodium soy sauce and quality beef, making it a healthier and more budget-friendly option for the whole family.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 4 hours 30 minutes |
| Total Time | 4 hours 45 minutes |
| Servings | 4 servings |
| Calories | 485 kcal per serving (estimated) |
| Course | Main Course |
| Cuisine | Chinese-Inspired, American |
| Difficulty/Method | Easy / Slow Cooker |
Your Shopping List for This Takeout Favorite
This impressive dinner comes together with a handful of simple pantry staples.
→ For the Beef and Broccoli
- 1 ½ lbs beef flank steak → Sliced thin against the grain. This cut is perfect for slow cooking and becomes incredibly tender.
- 3 cups broccoli florets → Fresh is best for that perfect, crisp texture.
- ½ cup soy sauce → Use low-sodium to better control the saltiness of the final dish.
- ¼ cup beef broth → Adds a savory, beefy depth to the sauce.
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar → Provides the classic sweet balance to the salty soy sauce.
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil → A non-negotiable ingredient for that authentic, nutty, takeout aroma and flavor.
- 4 cloves garlic → Minced. Don’t be shy!
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch → Our secret weapon for thickening the sauce at the end into a beautiful, glossy glaze.
Let’s Get Cooking! Your Slow Cooker Guide
Ready for the easiest beef and broccoli of your life? Let’s get that crockpot working its magic.
Part 1: The Low-and-Slow Beef
- Load the Crockpot: Place your thinly sliced flank steak into the basin of your slow cooker.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the sauce mixture over the beef in the crockpot. Stir to make sure all the beef is coated. Place the lid on and cook on LOW for 4 hours.
Part 2: Thicken, Add Broccoli, and Serve
- Make the Slurry: During the last 30 minutes of cooking time, prepare your cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, whisk the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with ¼ cup of cold water until it’s completely smooth with no lumps.
- Thicken the Sauce: Pour the cornstarch slurry into the crockpot with the beef and stir it into the sauce.
- Add the Broccoli: Add the fresh broccoli florets to the crockpot and stir to coat them in the sauce.
- Final Cook: Place the lid back on and continue to cook on LOW for the final 30 minutes. This is just enough time to thicken the sauce into a beautiful glaze and steam the broccoli to perfection.
- Serve: Serve hot over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice.
Crockpot Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic.
- Place the sliced beef in the crockpot and pour the sauce mixture over top. Stir to coat. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking, prepare the cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cold water until smooth.
- Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce in the crockpot. Add the broccoli florets and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for the final 30 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and the broccoli is crisp-tender.
- Serve immediately over rice.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Beef and Broccoli
These simple secrets will take your slow cooker creation from great to absolutely unforgettable.
- Slice the Beef Correctly. For the most tender results, it’s crucial to slice your flank steak thinly against the grain. This shortens the muscle fibers, making the meat extra tender. A great trick is to partially freeze the steak for 20-30 minutes before slicing to make it much easier to cut into thin, uniform strips.
- Don’t Add the Broccoli Early! This is the most important tip for this recipe. Adding the broccoli at the very end is the key to keeping it bright green and perfectly crisp-tender. If you add it at the beginning, it will turn into sad, army-green mush.
- Use a Cold Slurry. Always, always mix your cornstarch with cold water before adding it to the hot crockpot. If you dump cornstarch powder directly into a hot liquid, it will instantly form stubborn clumps that you’ll never get rid of.
- Don’t Skip the Sesame Oil. That toasty, nutty aroma and flavor is a hallmark of so many great Asian-inspired dishes. A little bit goes a long way in providing that authentic takeout taste.
- Want a Spicier Kick? If you like a little heat, add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture at the very beginning.
Keep It Fresh! Storing & Reheating Instructions
This dish makes for fantastic leftovers—the flavors get even better overnight!
- Refrigerator: Once cooled, store the beef and broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat is in a skillet over medium-low heat with a tiny splash of water or beef broth to loosen up the sauce. You can also microwave individual portions, but the broccoli texture will be best when reheated on the stovetop.
FAQs: Your Crockpot Beef and Broccoli Questions, Answered!
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes. While flank steak is classic, beef sirloin is another great, tender option. You could also use a tougher cut like chuck roast, but you may need to increase the initial cooking time to 5-6 hours on low to ensure it becomes tender enough to fall apart.
Can I cook this on high in the slow cooker?
You can, but the low setting is highly recommended for the most tender beef. If you’re short on time, you can cook it on HIGH for about 2 to 2.5 hours, then add the slurry and broccoli and cook for the final 30 minutes.
Can I use frozen broccoli?
You can, but fresh is best for a crisp texture. If using frozen, there’s no need to thaw it first. Just add it directly to the crockpot for the final 30 minutes of cooking as you would with fresh florets.
What can I serve this with besides rice?
This dish is incredibly versatile! It’s fantastic served over lo mein noodles, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. You can also just enjoy it on its own.
Final Thoughts: Your New Weeknight Hero
There is nothing more satisfying than sitting down to a delicious, hot meal that you know was simmering away all day with almost no effort from you. This Crockpot Beef and Broccoli is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution—it’s healthier, more flavorful, and more affordable than takeout. I hope this simple recipe becomes a beloved favorite in your home. Happy Cooking!
