If you’re searching for a meal that’s both easy to make and incredibly delicious, look no further than this Crockpot Beef and Broccoli recipe.
This dish takes just minutes to prepare and then simmers away in the crockpot, resulting in tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef with a rich, savory flavor that’s simply out of this world.
Paired with rice, this meal is sure to become a favorite in your household. Here’s everything you need to know to make this delectable dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds beef chuck roast, boneless, sliced into thin strips: The beef chuck roast is a perfect cut for slow cooking, becoming wonderfully tender as it simmers in the crockpot.
- 1 cup beef consommé or beef broth: This serves as the base for your sauce, adding depth and richness.
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce: Adds a salty, umami flavor that enhances the beef.
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar: Provides a touch of sweetness to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce.
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil: Adds a nutty flavor and aroma that’s essential to this dish.
- 3 garlic cloves, minced: Garlic infuses the dish with a warm, savory flavor.
- 1/4 cup cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce at the end of cooking.
- 3 cups frozen broccoli florets (one 14 oz bag): Adding broccoli provides a nice contrast in texture and a boost of nutrition.
- White or brown rice, cooked: Serve the beef and broccoli over rice to soak up all the delicious sauce.
Instructions:
- Prepare the Sauce: Start by preparing the sauce that will cook with the beef. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the beef consommé or beef broth, low sodium soy sauce, dark brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic. This mixture will infuse the beef with incredible flavor as it cooks.
- Cook the Beef: Place the thinly sliced beef strips into the crockpot. Pour the sauce mixture over the beef, ensuring that all the strips are well-coated. The soy sauce, beef broth, and dark brown sugar combination will create a beautiful balance of salty, savory, and sweet flavors that complement the beef perfectly.
- Slow Cook: Set your crockpot to the low setting and let it cook for about 6 hours. It’s important to check the beef at around the 5-hour mark to ensure it doesn’t overcook and start to shred. The goal is to have tender beef strips that still hold their shape.
- Thicken the Sauce: About an hour before the cooking time is up, take 1/4 cup of the sauce from the crockpot and whisk it in a small bowl with the cornstarch until smooth. Slowly stir this mixture back into the crockpot. This will help to thicken the sauce, giving it a nice, glossy finish that clings to the beef and broccoli.
- Add the Broccoli: Add the frozen broccoli florets to the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This timing is crucial because it ensures that the broccoli cooks through but remains slightly crisp, rather than becoming mushy. The vibrant green of the broccoli also adds a lovely pop of color to the dish.
- Serve: Once everything is cooked and the sauce has thickened, it’s time to serve. Scoop the beef and broccoli over a bed of cooked white or brown rice. The rice is the perfect accompaniment, absorbing the flavorful sauce and adding a satisfying texture to the meal.
Tips for the Best Crockpot Beef and Broccoli
- Choosing the Right Cut of Beef: While beef chuck roast is recommended for its tenderness when slow-cooked, you can also use flank steak or sirloin if you prefer. Just be sure to slice the beef thinly for the best results.
- Balancing Flavors: If you find the sauce too salty, you can adjust the balance by adding a little more dark brown sugar. Conversely, if it’s too sweet, add a splash more soy sauce.
- Fresh vs. Frozen Broccoli: While this recipe calls for frozen broccoli florets for convenience, you can certainly use fresh broccoli. If you opt for fresh, add it to the crockpot during the last 45 minutes of cooking to ensure it becomes tender without overcooking.
- Rice Options: White rice is a classic choice, but brown rice adds a nutty flavor and more fiber. You could also try serving the beef and broccoli over quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Beef and Broccoli recipe is a lifesaver for busy days when you crave a home-cooked meal but don’t have the time to spend in the kitchen.
With its tender beef, crisp-tender broccoli, and savory-sweet sauce, it’s a dish that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
Plus, the convenience of the crockpot means you can set it, forget it, and come home to a delicious meal that’s ready to serve. Enjoy this delightful dish, and watch it become a staple in your meal rotation. Happy cooking!