Find out why this Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes! Easy and delicious, this dish means you'll never have to order Chinese takeout again.
Thanks to the slow cooker, the beef is tender and flavorful, and simmered in a savory sweet garlic sauce. Finish it off with tender-crisp broccoli for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love!
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🩵 About This Recipe
Featuring flavorful beef and tender-crisp broccoli, this recipe offers a fantastic slow cooker alternative to Chinese takeout! You'll love how easy it is to throw this together in the morning, then let it do its thing in the crock pot all day.
By dinner time, you'll have a hot and delicious meal that's ready to serve. Pair it with noodles or rice for a complete dinner that the whole family will love!
Love cooking with beef? Try my Crock Pot Beef Stew with Mushrooms or this Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef!
What readers are saying...
Amazing recipe! Super easy and convenient! I ended up using rice cauliflower instead of brown rice and it complemented the dish well.
- Julia
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- beef broth - acts as a flavorful base for your homemade sauce.
- soy sauce - I prefer low sodium but feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
- brown sugar - balances out the savory and umami flavors with some complex sweetness.
- black pepper - adds gentle heat and depth, enhancing the savory flavors of the beef and sauce.
- sesame oil - contributes a rich, nutty aroma and authentic Asian-inspired flavor to the dish.
- minced garlic - fresh garlic will give you the best flavor but jarred minced garlic or even garlic paste work in a pinch.
- hoisin sauce - a classic combination with soy sauce that adds more complexity and a tangy sweetness.
- corn starch - helps thicken the sauce.
- stew meat - an affordable cut of meat that's perfect for the slow cooker.
- broccoli florets - I use frozen broccoli because it's much easier to keep on hand than fresh!
🔪 Let's Make Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Make Sauce
In a mixing bowl, whisk together broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, pepper, and garlic.
Thicken
Carefully stir in the cornstarch until it's fully dissolved.
Coat Beef
Add stew meat to the crock pot and pour the sauce over top.
Slow Cook
Cook on low for 4.5 to 5.5 hours, then stir in the broccoli and cook an additional 15 minutes.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Stew meat is perfect for slow cooker recipes! It's typically on the tougher side but slow cooking it helps break down the fibers and makes it flavorful and tender.
- If you prefer, you can use other cuts of meat like chuck roast, brisket, bottom round roast, or top round roast.
- Sear the beef in a skillet before slow cooking for some added color and flavor.
- Fresh broccoli florets should be steamed for a minute or two before adding them to the slow cooker.
❔ FAQs
While the roots of this dish are based in Chinese cuisine, this version of it is closer to a Chinese-American classic that you'll find in most takeout restaurants.
This is likely due to overcooking when it comes to slow cooked beef. The slow cooking process is great for breaking down even tough cuts of beef like stew meat, but if you cook it for too long you can also remove all the moisture and end up with tough or dry meat.
While broccoli is a good source of fiber and nutrients and beef has protein, the sauce for this dish tends to be a bit high in sodium. In moderation, this is a great meal!
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Use pork or chicken thighs instead of beef for a variation on this dish.
- For more nutrition, add extra veggies like snow peas, carrots, and bell peppers.
- If you like it spicy, add some red pepper flakes or sriracha.
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
Be sure to wait to add the broccoli until the end of cooking, or else it will get too soft and mushy!
🥡 Storage and Reheating
If you have leftovers, transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can also freeze your leftovers for up to 2 months.
To reheat, cook in the microwave in smaller portions or heat on the stovetop. Allow frozen leftovers to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this crock pot beef and broccoli recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
This slow cooker beef and broccoli is great over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice as a lower-carb option. You can also serve alongside some dumplings or egg rolls to make this feel even more like a takeout-style meal!
😋 More Slow Cooker Recipes You'll Love
- Crock Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni - Upgrade simple mac and cheese into a simple but flavorful casserole.
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Biscuits - An easier version of chicken pot pie that you'll very rarely have leftovers of - it's that good!
- Crockpot Beef Stroganoff - Make this classic comfort meal in the slow cooker for simple serving.
- Crock Pot Beef and Noodles - This easy recipe from Dinner in 321 is a hearty and comforting dish that's simple enough for dinner any night!
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Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
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📋 Recipe Card
Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 cup beef broth
- ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 3 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional)
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 1 ½ pounds stew meat
- 16 ounces frozen broccoli florets (1 bag)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine the broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, pepper, sesame oil, and garlic. Also add the optional hoisin sauce if you are using it.1 cup beef broth, ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce, ⅓ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 tablespoons minced garlic, 3 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- Add the cornstarch and mix well.2 tablespoons corn starch
- Add the stew meat to the crock pot, then pour the broth mixture on top. Cook on low for 4 ½ to 5 ½ hours1 ½ pounds stew meat
- Mix in the broccoli florets (still frozen) and let cook for an additional 15 minutes.16 ounces frozen broccoli florets
Notes
Prep Tips:
- Stew meat works well because it's budget-friendly and the slow cooking tenderizes the meat. However you can use other cuts such as chuck roast, bottom round roast, top round roast, or brisket.
- For more flavor and color, you can sear the beef pieces in a skillet before adding them to the crock pot.
- To use fresh broccoli florets instead of frozen, cook them in the microwave for 1 ½-2 minutes to soften them before adding them to the crock pot.
Variation Suggestions:
- You can swap beef for chicken thighs or pork if desired.
- Add carrots, snow peas, or bell peppers along with the broccoli for extra veggies.
- Make it spicy by adding a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a squirt of sriracha to the sauce.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve over steamed white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Garnish with sesame seeds or sliced green onions for a fresh finishing touch.
- Serve alongside egg rolls or dumplings for a complete takeout-style meal at home.
Storage Info for Leftovers:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
- This dish also freezes well. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in March 2018, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in October 2025.
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Happy cooking!
Julia Gray says
Amazing recipe! Super easy and convenient! I ended up using rice cauliflower instead of brown rice and it complicated the dish well
Theresa says
My daughter would love this. Thanks for the recipe. Pinned for later.
Jann Olson says
Love broccoli and beef and tis looks delish! Thanks for sharing with SYC. I made your mushroom pork chops last week and enjoyed them.
hugs,
Jann
Miz Helen says
Your Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli looks great! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Ginger says
Such a brilliant idea - perfect for working parents! I do love this dish, and your way of preparing it is simply ingenious 🙂
Thanks for sharing it with us at Fiesta Friday!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
What a great meal - Thank you for sharing at the What's for Dinner Party - hope to see you again this week!
Jersey Girl Cooks says
Healthy and easy are my kind of dinners!
Kristin says
Couldn't agree more! 🙂