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If you have ever craved a comforting, flavorful dish that feels like a restaurant favorite but is effortless to prepare at home, this Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe is your new go-to. Imagine tender slices of beef, slow-cooked to perfection, soaking up a rich, savory sauce while vibrant broccoli adds a lovely crunch and fresh pop of green. The balance of soy, oyster sauce, ginger, and a hint of sweetness makes every bite satisfying and hearty. Best of all, it’s a hands-off recipe that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and leaves you with a wholesome, satisfying meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe lies in its simple, accessible ingredients that combine to deliver incredible flavor and texture. Each one brings a crucial element—whether the tender beef, the crisp broccoli, or the rich umami sauce that ties it all together.
- 500 g / 16 oz chuck steak: This cut is perfect for slow cooking, becoming meltingly tender as it simmers.
- 300 g / 16 oz broccoli florets: Fresh broccoli adds a satisfying crunch and vibrant color.
- 2 tbsp corn flour (corn starch): Helps thicken the sauce, giving it that silky finish you want.
- 1 cup water: Blends the sauce and keeps everything juicy during cooking.
- 2 tbsp oil: Adds richness and helps sauté the ginger if you choose to do so.
- 2 tbsp finely sliced fresh ginger: Brings a fragrant zing and warmth to the dish.
- 3 tbsp soy sauce: The backbone of the savory flavor profile.
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce: Adds a deep, slightly sweet umami punch.
- 4 tsp Chinese cooking wine or dry sherry: Enhances aroma and tenderizes the beef.
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional): A little drizzle at the end brings toasty, nutty notes.
- 1 tsp sugar: Balances the saltiness with a touch of sweetness.
- 4 dashes white pepper: Adds a subtle mild heat without overpowering the dish.
How to Make Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Step 1: Slice the Beef Thinly
Start by cutting your chuck steak into thin slices, making sure to slice against the grain. This is super important because it breaks down the tough muscle fibers, helping the beef become tender and easy to chew after cooking.
Step 2: Layer the Beef in the Slow Cooker
Place the sliced beef right into the slow cooker. This will be the base for all the delicious flavors to soak into and meld beautifully as it cooks.
Step 3: Mix Corn Flour with Water
In a small bowl, combine the corn flour and water until smooth. This slurry will thicken your sauce later, giving it that perfect glossy sheen and luscious texture.
Step 4: Combine Sauce Ingredients
Add the corn flour mixture to the slow cooker along with soy sauce, oyster sauce, cooking wine, ginger, sugar, white pepper, and oil. Stir gently to blend all the flavors together, ensuring every slice of beef will absorb that irresistible sauce.
Step 5: Cook on High
Set your slow cooker on HIGH and let it work its magic for 3 hours. If you prefer using a pressure cooker, 40 minutes on high pressure is what you need. This step is where the beef turns tender and the sauce thickens beautifully.
Step 6: Add Broccoli
About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, add the broccoli florets to the slow cooker. This ensures they stay bright green and have a satisfying crunch instead of becoming soggy.
Step 7: Finish with Sesame Oil
Once the cooking is complete, stir in the teaspoon of sesame oil for a fragrant, nutty finish that elevates the entire dish and makes it truly irresistible.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or freshly chopped green onions adds a lovely crunch and fresh pop of flavor that contrasts beautifully with the rich sauce.
Side Dishes
This Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe pairs perfectly with steamed jasmine rice or fluffy brown rice to soak up all that savory sauce. For a lighter option, cauliflower rice or quinoa works well too.
Creative Ways to Present
For something fun, serve your beef and broccoli wrapped in warm lettuce cups for a fresh, handheld experience. Or pile it over crispy noodles to add a delightful texture contrast that will wow family and friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen as it sits, making for a delicious next-day meal.
Freezing
If you want to keep it longer, freeze the beef and broccoli in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Just be sure to cool it completely before freezing to maintain the best texture.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally, to preserve the tenderness of the beef and keep the broccoli crisp yet tender.
FAQs
Can I use other cuts of beef for this Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe?
Yes! Chuck steak is ideal because it becomes tender when slow-cooked, but you can also use brisket or even flank steak sliced thinly. Just avoid very lean cuts as they might dry out.
How can I make the broccoli less soft?
Add the broccoli later in the cooking process, about 30 minutes before the slow cooker finishes, to keep it bright and crisp rather than mushy.
Is there a way to thicken the sauce if it’s too runny?
Absolutely. Mix a little extra corn flour with cold water and stir it into the slow cooker during the last 15 minutes of cooking. This will instantly thicken the sauce.
Can I make this Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free soy sauce and oyster sauce alternatives to make the recipe gluten-free without compromising flavor.
What can I substitute for Chinese cooking wine?
If you don’t have cooking wine, dry sherry is a great substitute. If you prefer, a splash of rice vinegar with a pinch of sugar can also work in a pinch.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with this Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe for a comforting, easy meal that feels special without the fuss. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a relaxed weekend dinner, it delivers on flavor, texture, and ease. Give it a try and watch it quickly become a cherished staple in your recipe rotation!
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Print
Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 180 minutes
- Total Time: 190 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
This Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli recipe offers tender, flavorful beef paired with crisp broccoli cooked to perfection in a savory Asian-inspired sauce. Using a slow cooker ensures the beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth soft while the sauce thickens beautifully with a blend of soy, oyster sauce, ginger, and aromatic seasonings. It’s a comforting, easy-to-make dish perfect for busy days, delivering restaurant-quality flavors at home with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Beef and Vegetables
- 500 g / 16 oz chuck steak or other beef cut suitable for slow cooking, thinly sliced against the grain
- 300 g / 16 oz broccoli florets (about 6 cups, from 1 giant broccoli or 2 medium heads)
Sauce and Seasoning
- 2 tbsp corn flour (corn starch)
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp finely sliced fresh ginger
- 3 tbsp soy sauce (normal dark soy sauce)
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 4 tsp Chinese cooking wine (rice wine) or dry sherry
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 4 dashes white pepper
Instructions
- Slice the Beef: Cut the chuck steak into thin slices against the grain, which means slicing at 90 degrees to the direction of the muscle fibers. This will help ensure the beef becomes tender during cooking.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the sliced beef into the slow cooker evenly.
- Mix Cornflour and Water: In a separate bowl, mix the corn flour (corn starch) with water to form a smooth slurry. This will help thicken the sauce.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour the cornflour mixture along with oil, finely sliced fresh ginger, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine or dry sherry, optional sesame oil, sugar, and white pepper into the slow cooker with the beef. Stir gently to combine.
- Cook the Beef: Cook on the HIGH setting for 3 hours in the slow cooker, allowing the beef to become tender and the flavors to meld. Alternatively, you can pressure cook on high for 40 minutes if using a pressure cooker.
- Add Broccoli Florets: About 20 minutes before the end of the slow cooking time, add the broccoli florets to the slow cooker. Stir to mix with the sauce and beef, then continue cooking until the broccoli is tender but still crisp.
- Final Stir and Serve: Give the slow cooker contents a final gentle stir to evenly coat broccoli and beef in the sauce. Adjust seasoning if needed, then serve hot over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- Note 1: Fresh ginger adds a bright, fragrant heat. Use finely sliced ginger for best flavor distribution.
- Note 2: The water mixed with cornflour acts as a thickening agent creating a silky sauce.
- Note 3: Adjust white pepper to your taste; it provides a subtle spicy kick without overwhelming the dish.
- Note 4: Sesame oil is optional but adds a lovely nutty aroma if included.
- Note 5: Chinese cooking wine can be substituted with dry sherry if unavailable.
