Easy Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli (10-Minute Prep)
Craving beef and broccoli but don’t fancy spending money on takeout? This Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli is an easy way to enjoy a delicious family dinner without spending ages in the kitchen.
With just 10 minutes of prep, you can get everything into the slow cooker and leave it to do its thing. The beef cooks until beautifully tender in a rich, savoury sauce, and the broccoli goes in near the end so it doesn’t turn mushy.
Serve it over fluffy rice or noodles for a comforting weeknight dinner that’s perfect for busy families.
Looking for more meals the whole family will enjoy? Browse our collection of kid-friendly recipes for plenty of tasty ideas.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
- Beef: Flank steak or stewing beef works well, becoming wonderfully tender as it slowly cooks in the sauce.
- Onion and garlic: Add a lovely savoury flavour and aroma to the beef as it cooks.
- Beef stock: Adds richness and moisture while creating the base for the sauce.
- Soy-free stir-fry sauce: Gives the dish its rich, savoury flavour. I like this one.
- Brown sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savoury sauce.
- Cornflour (cornstarch): Thickens the cooking liquid into a lovely sauce that coats the beef and broccoli.
- Broccoli florets: Add freshness, colour, and a little crunch to the finished dish.
- Rice or noodles (optional): Perfect for soaking up all that delicious sauce.
- Sesame seeds (optional): Add a little crunch and a lovely finishing touch.
How To Make Beef and Broccoli
First things first: I toss the sliced beef, diced onion, and minced garlic right into the slow cooker. Then I pour in the beef stock and my favourite stir-fry sauce, sprinkle over the brown sugar, and give it all a good stir so every piece of beef gets coated in that gorgeous sauce.
Lid goes on, and I let it cook on low for about 5 and a half hours. Trust me, your kitchen will smell so amazing you’ll be counting down the minutes until dinner!
Once the beef is perfectly tender, I mix the cornflour with a splash of cold water until it’s nice and smooth, then stir it into the slow cooker. This is where the sauce turns all glossy and thick—so satisfying!
Now for the broccoli! I stir in the florets, pop the lid back on, and let it all cook for another 30 minutes. The goal is tender broccoli that still keeps that gorgeous bright green colour—no mushy veggies here.
I always give everything a final stir and sneak a little taste of the sauce—just to make sure it’s perfect. Then I pile the Beef and Broccoli over a mountain of fluffy rice or noodles, sprinkle on some sesame seeds if I’m feeling fancy, and dig in!
If your family loves tender beef in a delicious sauce, they’ll also enjoy our creamy Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff.
Tips For Making Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
- Slice the beef thinly: Cut against the grain for the most tender results. Not sure which way the grain runs? Here’s a handy guide to cutting beef against the grain with photographs to help you.
- Pop the beef in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes first to make slicing easier.
- Choose the right beef: Flank steak works well, but stewing beef is a good budget-friendly option. Keep an eye on leaner cuts, as they can dry out if cooked too long.
- Use fresh broccoli: Fresh florets give you the best texture and hold their shape better than frozen broccoli.
- I add the broccoli during the final 30 minutes of cooking, and it comes out beautifully green and still has a little bite. Slow cookers can vary, so keep an eye on your broccoli towards the end and adjust the time if you prefer it softer.
- Avoid a lumpy sauce: Always mix the cornflour with cold water before stirring it into the slow cooker.
- Taste before serving: Give the sauce a quick taste. Add a little more brown sugar for sweetness or a splash of your chosen sauce for extra savoury flavour.
Love letting your slow cooker do the work? Check out these 31 easy crockpot dinners for more fuss-free family meals.
Variations To Try
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a little chilli garlic sauce for some heat.
- Add extra vegetables: Try sliced carrots, bell peppers, snow peas, or mushrooms. Add firmer vegetables earlier and delicate ones near the end.
- Try different cuts of beef: Sirloin or skirt steak also work, but they may need a shorter cooking time.
- Change the sauce: Use regular soy sauce instead of the soy-free stir-fry sauce for a more traditional flavour.
- Add some ginger: Stir in a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger for a lovely warming flavour.
- Make it sweeter: Add a little extra brown sugar or a drizzle of honey for a sweeter sauce.
- Change how you serve it: Try brown rice, egg noodles, quinoa, or cauliflower rice instead of white rice.
Can I use Frozen Broccoli?
You can, but it won’t be as crisp. I would cook it separately and add it to the slow cooker just before serving.
For another easy slow cooker dinner, try our Crockpot Taco Soup, packed with hearty ingredients and plenty of flavour.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftover Beef and Broccoli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours and reheated thoroughly to 74°C/165°F.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months without the broccoli or rice. Once defrosted, add freshly steamed broccoli before serving.
If you like getting ahead with dinner, you’ll love these 45 easy freezer meals that help make busy evenings easier.
Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. Stir occasionally to ensure everything heats evenly.
Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli is honestly one of my favourite ways to get a delicious, homemade dinner on the table with almost no effort. The beef is so tender, the sauce is packed with flavour, and the fresh broccoli just makes it all pop.
Serve it over rice or noodles, and you’ve got a meal that fills up hungry tummies without breaking the bank. Print the recipe, give it a whirl, and don’t forget to save a pin so you can find it again next time those cravings hit!
For more simple dinner inspiration, take a look at our easy family recipes that make feeding the family a little easier.
Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 700 g 1½ lb flank steak or stewing beef, sliced thin
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 120 ml ½ cup beef stock
- 60 ml ¼ cup soy-free stir-fry style sauce.
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornflour cornstarch
- 300 g 10–11 oz broccoli florets
Instructions
- Add the sliced beef, onion, garlic, beef stock, stir-fry sauce, and brown sugar to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 1/2 hours, until the beef is tender.
- Mix the corn flour with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Stir into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce.
- Add the broccoli florets. Cover and cook until tender for 30 minutes, but still bright green.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve over rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Slice the beef thinly: Cut against the grain for the most tender results.
- Pop the beef in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes first to make slicing easier.
- Choose the right beef: Flank steak works well, but stewing beef is a good budget-friendly option. Leaner cuts tend to dry out if cooked too long.
- Use fresh broccoli: Fresh florets give you the best texture and hold their shape better than frozen broccoli.