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Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

Carolyn Richardson
I remember the first time I made slow cooker beef and broccoli. My kitchen filled with a tantalizing aroma that danced through the house, pulling everyone in eagerly.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Asian
Servings 6
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless beef chuck sliced into ¼-inch strips
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 teaspoons minced garlic about 3 cloves
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef stock
  • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1 12-ounce bag frozen broccoli florets (about 3 cups)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Beef

  • Slice the beef chuck into ¼-inch strips. This step is crucial for tender pieces that cook evenly. Thinner slices absorb the sauce better, too! Once sliced, pat the beef dry with a paper towel. This can help create a nice sear later if desired.

Step 2: Coat the Beef

  • Spread the sliced beef in a large bowl. Sprinkle with cornstarch and toss well. This coating will help the sauces stick to the beef as it cooks, enhancing the flavors.

Step 3: Mix the Sauce

  • In another bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, grated ginger, beef stock, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. This mixture forms the base of your flavor – it’s an aromatic powerhouse!

Step 4: Combine in the Slow Cooker

  • Pour the beef into the slow cooker. Next, pour the sauce over the beef, ensuring it’s well-covered. Gently stir to mix everything together.

Step 5: Set the Cooker

  • Cover your slow cooker and set it to low for about 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. The lower setting is best for more tender beef.

Step 6: Add the Broccoli

  • When the beef is close to being done, toss in the frozen broccoli florets. They take about 30 minutes to cook through. The residual heat will make them perfectly tender without turning mushy.

Step 7: Stir and Serve

  • Once everything is cooked, give your dish a good stir. This mixing is where the magic happens. As an optional step, you can serve it over steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

Here are five helpful tips to ensure that your slow cooker beef and broccoli is a hit:
Cutting the Meat: Always slice against the grain for tender strips. This makes a world of difference.
Beef Alternatives: If chuck isn’t available, flank steak or sirloin can work well, too.
Fresh vs. Frozen: Using frozen broccoli saves time. If you opt for fresh, add it earlier for a softer texture.
Taste as You Go: Before serving, do a taste check. You can adjust any seasoning then—add a touch more soy for saltiness or sugar for sweetness.
Thicker Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix a cornstarch slurry with a tablespoon of water and stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Nutrition

Serving: 6gCalories: 350kcal
Keyword Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
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