Slow Cooker Beef with Broccoli (Easy Crockpot Recipe)

Forget about spending big bucks on Chinese food takeout and just make your own at home! The tender beef and white rice are the best!

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this Fresh Mango Margarita Recipe because it’s always time for a drink!

Ingredients

• Beef stew meat: The cornerstone of this dish, beef stew meat becomes wonderfully tender in the slow cooker, though you can opt for flank steak for a more buttery texture.
• Beef stock: This provides a rich, hearty foundation for the sauce, with beef broth as an easy substitute for convenience.
• Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic lends a robust flavor that’s indispensable, but garlic powder can be used for quicker preparation.
• Gluten-free soy sauce: This not only adds the essential umami flavor, but choosing a low-sodium variety helps control the saltiness of the dish, accommodating dietary concerns.
• Honey: A touch of honey brings a subtle sweetness, balancing the savory notes. Molasses or maple syrup are perfect alternatives.
• Sesame oil: Imparting a distinctive nutty aroma, sesame oil elevates the dish, though other Asian-style sauces can offer a variety of taste profiles.
• Salt and black pepper: These two seasoning staples enhance all the flavors in your crockpot creation.
• Arrowroot: Serving as the thickening agent, arrowroot ensures your sauce is glossy and coats the beef and broccoli beautifully.
• Broccoli florets: The star vegetable, broccoli adds crunch and nutrition, whether you choose to go fresh or frozen.
• Red bell pepper: Sliced thin, it adds a splash of color and a sweet, slightly tangy taste that complements the beef and broccoli.
• Brown rice: Offers a healthier, fiber-packed base for your beef and broccoli, but white rice is a classic alternative for those who prefer it.
• Sesame seeds: A final garnish of sesame seeds adds a delightful crunch and visual appeal to this homestyle Asian classic.

Substitutions and Variations

• Add a different delicious sauce – You can easily change up the flavor of this delicious beef recipe by changing up the sauce.
• Add some heat – Put a little red pepper flakes into the mixture!
• Add onions – Mix in green onions or have them as a topping.
• Use cauliflower rice – If you want to cut carbs, use cauliflower rice instead.

How To Make

1. Place beef into slow cooker.
2. Mix beef stock, garlic, soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over beef, then cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
3. Mix 2 tablespoons of arrowroot with ¼ cup of cooking liquid (water) to thicken the sauce.
4. Add the arrowroot mixture, broccoli, and bell pepper to the cooker 15-20 minutes before the end of cooking.
5. Serve with brown rice and spoon over some of the slow cooker sauce. Optionally, sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Recipe Tips 

• To ensure the beef is seared and flavorful, consider browning it on a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker. This extra step will caramelize the meat’s exterior and add a depth of richness to the entire dish.
• For the most vibrant vegetables, add the broccoli and bell peppers during the last 30 minutes of cooking if you’re setting the slow cooker on low or the last 15 minutes if cooking on high. This will keep them crisp, tender, and brightly colored rather than overcooked.
• If the sauce is thinner than you prefer after adding the arrowroot mixture, you can remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking to let some of the liquid evaporate, and the sauce thickens further.
• Consider using coconut aminos instead of soy sauce to accommodate different dietary preferences. This will make the recipe soy-free and paleo-friendly.
• Lastly, infusing beef with aromatics like ginger or star anise can introduce a new flavor dimension that further mimics the complexity of traditional Chinese dishes.

Alternative Cooking Methods

Yes, this recipe can indeed be adapted for use with an Instant Pot, which is perfect for those who need a quicker cooking method. 

To make this beef and broccoli recipe in an Instant Pot, sauté the beef using the ‘Sauté’ function until browned, then add the stock mixture and lock the lid in place. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, then quickly release the pressure. 

Lastly, add the broccoli and bell peppers, setting the Instant Pot back to ‘Sauté’ and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender. 

This method preserves the flavors while significantly reducing the cooking time.

Storing Tips 

This delicious meal makes enough to feed the entire family and has leftovers! Just let this great recipe cool down completely and then store it in an airtight container.

Keep it chilled in the fridge and eat within 2-3 days.

To freeze, ensure the meal has cooled completely before transferring it to freezer-safe bags or containers. It will maintain its best quality for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently to preserve the quality of the beef and broccoli.

Recipe FAQs

Need More Slow Cooker Recipes? Try These:

• Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
• Slow Cooker-Spicy Pineapple Pork Butt Roast
• Easy Crockpot Chili Mac
• Slow Cooker Chicken Stuffing Casserole
• Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken
• Slow Cooker Ham, Potato, Corn & Veggie Chowder
• See all our slow cooker recipes!