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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli: Easy Weeknight Dinner

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This cozy slow cooker beef and broccoli delivers incredibly tender beef and vibrant broccoli in a perfectly balanced savory-sweet sauce. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it weeknight hero that tastes better than takeout.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds (680g) beef flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
  • ½ cup (120ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup (60ml) beef broth
  • ¼ cup (50g) packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) sesame oil
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (6g) fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons (16g) cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) cold water
  • 4 cups (300g) fresh broccoli florets
  • Optional garnishes: sesame seeds, sliced green onions, extra sesame oil

Instructions

  1. Slice the beef: Place flank steak in the freezer for about 20 minutes to firm up. Cut against the grain into thin strips, about ¼-inch thick.
  2. Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and rice vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  3. Combine in slow cooker: Place sliced beef in the slow cooker insert. Pour sauce over the top and toss with tongs until beef is well coated.
  4. Cook on low: Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours, until beef is fork-tender but still holds its shape.
  5. Add broccoli: About 30 minutes before serving, gently stir in fresh broccoli florets. Cover and cook on LOW for remaining 30 minutes.
  6. Thicken sauce: In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Remove lid and stir slurry into sauce. Cook uncovered for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is glossy and thickened.
  7. Taste and adjust: Add more soy sauce for saltiness or more brown sugar for sweetness if desired.
  8. Serve immediately: Spoon over steamed rice, quinoa, or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Notes

For best results, slice beef when partially frozen. Don’t lift the lid too often during cooking. Add broccoli at the very end to keep it vibrant and crisp-tender. The sauce thickens best when cornstarch slurry is added at the end. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef and broccoli, easy weeknight dinner, beef and broccoli recipe, slow cooker recipe, Asian beef dish

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