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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli: An Easy Weeknight Dinner

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This cozy slow cooker beef and broccoli is a love letter to a favorite takeout spot, featuring impossibly tender beef and a glossy, savory sauce that clings to every piece of broccoli. It’s a no-fuss, comforting dinner that fills your kitchen with incredible aroma.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds flank steak or sirloin steak, sliced thinly against the grain
  • 3 cups broccoli florets (about 1 large head of broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable or avocado oil, for searing
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ⅓ cup beef broth (low-sodium)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
  • Cooked white rice or brown rice, for serving
  • Toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep the Beef: Place flank steak in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to firm up. Slice thinly across the grain into ¼-inch strips. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
  2. Sear the Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add half the beef strips in a single layer and sear for 1-2 minutes per side until deeply browned. Transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker. Repeat with remaining oil and beef.
  3. Bloom the Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the same skillet. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Scrape into the slow cooker.
  4. Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, oyster sauce, toasted sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Pour over the beef and garlic in the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
  5. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2 hours, until beef is fork-tender.
  6. Thicken the Sauce: About 20 minutes before serving, turn slow cooker to HIGH. Whisk cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + cold water) and pour into the sauce. Stir well and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes until thickened to a glossy consistency.
  7. Add the Broccoli: Stir in broccoli florets. Cover and cook on HIGH for 10-15 minutes until crisp-tender (bright green with a slight bite). For softer broccoli, cook 5-10 minutes more.
  8. Final Taste & Serve: Adjust seasoning with more soy sauce or rice vinegar if desired. Serve immediately over steamed rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Notes

Searing the beef is non-negotiable for deep flavor. Add broccoli at the very end to avoid mushiness. For a thicker sauce, make an extra cornstarch slurry if needed. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef and broccoli, easy weeknight dinner, beef and broccoli recipe, Chinese takeout, comfort food, slow cooker recipe

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/cozy-slow-cooker-beef-and-broccoli-an-easy-weeknight-dinner/