Easy Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe (2024)

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Beef and Broccoli Crock Pot Recipe is a great meal idea that is healthy and delicious and the slow cooker does all the work. You can enjoy a delicious meal as soon as you get home packed with tender beef and flavorful broccoli.

Easy Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe (1)

Beef and Broccoli Crock Pot Recipe:

If you love beef and broccoli take out, this recipe is a must try. You will save a ton of money and it is so simple to make.

The beef has the best flavor and the broccoli is amazing. This recipe works for the entire family and is sure to be a hit.

Serve it over rice and you have a such an easy meal for your family to enjoy. The beef and broccoli come out so tender cooking in the crock pot all day.

Easy Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe (2)

Do you have to brown stew meat before putting it in the crock pot?

It is not necessary to brown the meat before adding to the crock pot. I like easy recipes especially ones that I can toss everything in the crock pot. So no need to dirty up another dish to brown the meat, just toss it in the crock pot.

Easy Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe (3)

Ingredients:

  • Round Steak
  • Beef Broth
  • Low Sodium Soy Sauce
  • Minced Garlic
  • Brown Sugar
  • Sesame Oil
  • Cornstarch
  • Fresh Broccoli Florets
  • Sesame Seeds for topping but that is optional

How to cook Beef and Broccoli in Crockpot:

  • Prepare Broth Mixture – Place the steak in a slow cooker. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar and sesame oil.
  • Pour mixture in crockpot – Pour this mixture on top of the steak in the crock pot.
Easy Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe (4)
  • Cook Beef in Crock Pot – Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3 hours until the beef is tender. Cooking time will vary.
  • Prepare Cornstarch Mixture – Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Stir this mixture into the slow cooker.
  • Add in Broccoli – Then stir in the broccoli and cook on low for about 30 minutes or until sauce is thickened and broccoli is cooked through.
  • Serve and Enjoy – Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately over rice.
Easy Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe (5)

How to Thicken Sauce?

We love that this meal can all be prepared in the crock pot. But sometimes, we like a thicker sauce.

  • To thicken the sauce, we use cornstarch and water. Mix the two ingredients in a separate bowl and then pour into the crock pot. Allow this mixture to cook with the other ingredients for about 30 minutes will thicken the sauce.

When to addBroccolito Slow Cooker?

When to add broccoli to the slow cooker will depend on if you use frozen broccoli or fresh broccoli. We used fresh broccoli florets in this recipe, so we tossed them in when there was about 30 minutes left to cook the meal.

If you are using frozen broccoli, you will want to add the broccoli at the very last minute. This allows the broccoli to stay fresh and crisp. If cooked to long the broccoli will turn to mush.

Easy Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe (6)

Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Tips:

  • Prepare ahead of time – If you know you are going to have a busy morning, prepare this meal the night before, and then just toss in the crock pot in the morning.
  • Freezer Friendly – This is also a great meal for meal prepping. Combine the ingredients and place in a freezer safe container or zip lock bag and place in the freezer. Then when you are to prepare, place in the crock pot frozen.

Variation Ideas:

  • Use different Beef – We usually round steak, but you can also use stew meat. But you can also use sirloin steak or chuck roast. You can also use flank steak.
  • Soy Sauce – If you wanting to keep the carbs low, use coconut aminos. You can also add in oyster sauce.
  • Stir Fry – For a second meal idea, stir fry the ingredients to reheat. You can also mix in the rice and other vegetables.
  • Instant PotYou can make this recipe in the Instant Pot for a quick meal idea.
  • Green Onions – Top with green onions and sesame seeds to add in some flavor.
  • Red Pepper Flakes – Add in red pepper flakes for some extra heat in the sauce.

Can you Frozen Broccoli?

Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. We used fresh broccoli in this recipe, but you can use frozen. Make sure to add it in at the very last minute so it doesn’t turn to mush.

Easy Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe (7)

How long does it take for broccoli to cook in a crock pot on high?

If you were to just steam broccoli in the crockpot it would take about 45 minutes cooked on high. If you cook the broccoli in the sauce that has already been heated, it would take about 30 minutes.

What to serve with Crockpot Beef and Broccoli?

  • White Rice
  • Brown Rice
  • Cauliflower Rice
  • Egg Rolls
  • Egg Drop Soup
Easy Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe (8)

How to Store and Reheat Beef and Broccoli:

  • Meal Prep – This meal is perfect for leftovers. It reheats perfectly for lunch or dinner.
  • Storing – Place the leftovers beef and broccoli in the air tight container. Place in the refrigerator or freezer. If placed in the freezer it will stay fresh for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat – You can reheat in the microwave or in a skillet. We like reheating in a skillet so it heat thoroughly.

This is the Best Beef and Broccoli Crock Pot recipe!

It truly can work for everyone and that is what makes this recipe so great. You can also try using frozen broccoli but our family prefers fresh broccoli.

Even my kids that are not fans of broccoli gobbled this up when served with yummy beef broth soy sauce flavor. They don’t ask for take out anymore since I started making this recipe.

Print this Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli recipe below:

Easy Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe (9)

Review

Pin Print

Easy Crock pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe

5 from 111 votes

Beef and Broccoli Crock Pot Recipe is a great meal that is tasty and easy. Forget take out when you can enjoy tender beef and broccoli in the slow cooker.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Total Time 5 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings 6

Cuisine Chinese

Course Main Course

Calories 369

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds round steak (cut into bite size pieces)
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Sesame oil
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 Tablespoons cold water
  • 1 Broccoli Crown (cut into bite size pieces)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

  • Place the steak in a slow cooker. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar and sesame oil. Pour this mixture on top of the steak in the crock pot.

  • Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3 hours until the beef is tender.

  • Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water in a small mixing bowl. Stir this mixture into the slow cooker.

  • Then stir in the broccoli and cook on low for about 30 minutes or until sauce is thickened and broccoli is cooked through.

  • Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately over rice.

Recipe Notes

*Refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 369kcal, Carbohydrates 23g, Protein 40g, Fat 13g, Saturated Fat 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat 3g, Monounsaturated Fat 5g, Cholesterol 95mg, Sodium 1038mg, Potassium 977mg, Fiber 3g, Sugar 14g, Vitamin A 632IU, Vitamin C 91mg, Calcium 112mg, Iron 5mg

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Try these other crock pot beef recipes:

  • Easy Crock Pot Beef Tips Recipe
  • 4 Ingredient Crock Pot Beef Teriyaki Recipe
  • Crock pot Beef Curry Recipe
  • Crock Pot Shredded Beef Recipe
Easy Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe (10)

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About the Author

Easy Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe (19)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

About Carrie Page
Easy Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe (2024)

FAQs

When to add raw broccoli to a slow cooker? ›

For best results, wait to add the broccoli until the last 30 minutes of cooking. This will guarantee that your broccoli is crisp-tender. Add it too early, and you may be left with mushy, watery broccoli instead (no thank you).

What vegetables should not be added to a slow cooker? ›

Tender vegetables

Vegetables such as peas, asparagus and peppers can become a flavorless, mushy mess in a slow cooker. Stick to heartier root vegetables like potatoes, onions, leeks and yams, or wait to add the tender vegetables until the last 30 minutes or so of cooking time.

Is it better to cook beef on high or low in a crock pot? ›

Tips for making the best beef stew

Browning the beef in a skillet beforehand will bring out even more flavor. Cook it on low. While many slow cooker recipes can be made on high for 3-4 hours, I highly recommend cooking this beef stew on low for the full 7-8 hours. This will ensure that the beef gets nice and tender.

Should meat or vegetables go in crockpot first? ›

Layer wisely: For even cooking, cut food into uniform-size pieces. Place firm, slow-cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and pile the meat on top.

Should liquid cover vegetables in slow cooker? ›

It should just cover the meat and vegetables. Don't overfill your slow cooker, or it may start leaking out the top, and the food won't cook so well. Half to two-thirds full is ideal – certainly no more than three-quarters.

Can I just put beef in the slow cooker raw? ›

You can add beef to the slow cooker without browning. Searing it in a hot pan to create a caramelised crust is not necessary but can make a richer flavour. Simply add the meat to your slow cooker with aromatics, stock and sauces and cook either on High for 4-5 hours or on Low for 5-8 hours.

When should I add potatoes to a slow cooker? ›

Tender vegetables such as zucchini and beans can be added to your dish in last ¾ - 1 hour of cooking when cooking on High, or 2 hours if cooking on Low. Hard, starchy vegetables like potato and carrots are best added around 3 hours before the meal is done if cooking on High, and 4 hours on Low.

What vegetables are good in a slow cooker? ›

The best vegetables for a slow cooker are sturdier veggies like celery, carrots, tomatoes, onions, peppers and green beans, like we used in this recipe. Also, cauliflower, corn, beets, potatoes (both Russet and sweet), mushrooms and squash are all great contenders, too.

Do veggies go on top or bottom of roast in crock pot? ›

Slow cooker recipes have (obviously) long cook times, and it's the meat—not the carrots—that benefit from it. By placing the protein at the bottom (closest to the heating element), and vegetables at the top, you can keep your plant parts a little more toothsome, while ensuring your meat is fall-apart tender.

Do potatoes go on top or bottom of roast? ›

I recommend adding the vegetables (carrots and potatoes) to the top and sides of your pot roast and only do so after the roast has cooked for the first 1 1/2 hours so that they do not get too mushy.

Why is my beef so tough in the slow cooker? ›

Add Just Enough Liquid

If you want the dish to be saucy, or you're making a beef stew, add enough liquid to come about 1/3 of the way up on the meats in the slow cooker. This allows your meat to braise, not boil. Boiling creates tough meat!

What's the difference between a Crock-Pot and a slow cooker? ›

However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

Is it better to start Crock-Pot on high or low? ›

If possible, turn the cooker on the highest setting for the first hour of cooking time and then to low or the setting called for in your recipe. Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used. Certainly, foods will cook faster on high than on low.

When should I add vegetables to slow cooker? ›

Tender vegetables such as zucchini and beans can be added to your dish in last ¾ - 1 hour of cooking when cooking on High, or 2 hours if cooking on Low. Hard, starchy vegetables like potato and carrots are best added around 3 hours before the meal is done if cooking on High, and 4 hours on Low.

How long does it take to cook raw broccoli? ›

To boil, place in a pan of boiling water and cook the florets for 6-8 minutes. To steam, place in a steamer over boiling water and cook for 6-8 minutes. Broccoli to be stir-fried should be separated into bite-sized florets, heat 1 tbsp of oil in a frying pan and add the florets, cook for 4-5 minutes or until tender.

How long does it take to soften vegetables in a slow cooker? ›

Method
  1. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan and fry the onion, celery and carrots for 4–5 minutes, stirring regularly until beginning to soften. ...
  2. Cover and cook on High for 3½–4 hours or Low for 5–7 hours, until the vegetables are just tender.

Do vegetables go mushy in slow cooker? ›

Certain vegetables: Delicate herbs and veggies like fresh tomatoes, zucchini, and peas won't fare well in the slow cooker, as their individual textures may become mushy and flavorless if left for too long. If your recipe calls for these vegetables, try adding them close to the end of cooking time.

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