Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli
Tender flank steak strips slow-braised in a sweet ginger-garlic soy glaze, finished with vibrant crisp-tender broccoli in 4 hours.
- Cook temp
- 200°F
- 93°C · preheat
- Total time
- 250 min
- 10 prep · 240 cook · 5 rest
- Pull at
- 160°F
- USDA safe minimum
- Rest
- 5 min
- Before slicing
Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli Recipe (Get Your Crock Pots Ready!) · Divas Can Cook
Demonstrates slicing flank steak into thin strips, braising in savory soy broth, and adding broccoli florets near the end.
- Target //Cook at LOW (200°F / 93°C) for 4 hours.
- Doneness //Pull when internal temperature reaches 160°F (USDA safe minimum). Rest 5 mins before slicing.
- Golden Rule //The cardinal rule of slow cooker beef and broccoli: never put the broccoli in at the beginning. Add florets in the last 25 minutes with the cornstarch slurry. You get fork-tender beef in restaurant-grade glossy sauce with crisp, bright green broccoli.
- Family Tweak //Kids love the sweet teriyaki-style brown sugar glaze. Serve over heaps of white jasmine rice.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbsFlank Steak or Sirloin, sliced thinly across grain
- 1/2 cupLow-Sodium Soy Sauce
- 1/2 cupBeef Broth, low-sodium
- 1/3 cupBrown Sugar, packed
- 3 piecesGarlic Cloves, minced
- 1 tbspToasted Sesame Oil
- 2 tbspCornstarch, mixed with 3 tbsp cold water
- 3 cupsFresh Broccoli Florets, cut into bite-size pieces
- 4 cupsCooked Jasmine Rice, for serving
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Get to the point
- 1
Slice 1.5 lbs flank steak thinly against the grain.
- 2
Whisk 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup beef broth, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and sesame oil.
- 3
Place beef in slow cooker with sauce; cook on LOW for 3.5 to 4 hours until meltingly tender.
- 4
Stir in 3 cups fresh broccoli florets and cornstarch slurry in final 25 minutes until glossy and crisp-tender.
Step by step
Tap a step to cross it offFlank Steak Grain Slicing
Slice 1.5 lbs flank steak (or sirloin steak) thinly into 1/4-inch strips, cutting strictly across the grain. Place strips directly into the bottom of the slow cooker.
WhyCutting across the muscle fibers shortens the grain and ensures each bite melts in your mouth after slow braising.
Sweet Ginger-Garlic Soy Emulsion
In a bowl, whisk 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1/2 cup beef broth, 1/3 cup packed brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger (or 1 tsp ginger powder), and 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil. Pour evenly over the beef.
WhyLow-sodium soy sauce is critical — standard soy sauce concentrates and turns excessively salty over 4 hours of slow cooking.
Low Temperature Beef Braise
215 minCover with lid and cook on LOW for 3.5 to 4 hours until the beef is exceptionally tender.
WhyDo not cook longer than 4 hours; flank steak strips are thin and reach peak tenderness quickly.
Slurry Thickening & Broccoli Steam Finish
25 minWhisk 2 tbsp cornstarch with 3 tbsp cold water. Stir into the bubbling slow cooker. Add 3 cups fresh broccoli florets. Cover and cook on LOW for 25 more minutes until the sauce turns thick and glossy and broccoli is vibrant green and tender-crisp. Serve over warm rice.
WhyNEVER cook broccoli for the full 4 hours! Adding florets in the final 25 minutes keeps them bright green with a clean crunch instead of turning into brown mush.
- Dad pro tip
- The cardinal rule of slow cooker beef and broccoli: never put the broccoli in at the beginning. Add florets in the last 25 minutes with the cornstarch slurry. You get fork-tender beef in restaurant-grade glossy sauce with crisp, bright green broccoli.
- Kid & toddler adjustment
- Kids love the sweet teriyaki-style brown sugar glaze. Serve over heaps of white jasmine rice.
- Serve with
- Air fryer frozen egg rolls · Steamed white rice · Edamame
- Reheating
- Reheat in microwave for 90 seconds or toss in a hot skillet for 2 minutes.
- Calories
- 420
- Protein
- 36 g
- Carbs
- 42 g
- Fat
- 12 g
Nutrition source: USDA FoodData Central #170208 & #170379. Cook-time basis: Hamilton Beach 6-Qt Slow Cooker 4-hour LOW test; USDA FSIS beef guideline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you reheat leftover slow cooker beef & broccoli without ruining the texture?
Reheat in microwave for 90 seconds or toss in a hot skillet for 2 minutes.
What is the target internal temperature for this recipe?
Confirm internal core temperature reaches 160°F using an instant-read digital probe thermometer inserted into the thickest part. Allow the meat to rest for 5 minutes before slicing to let carryover heat equalize and lock in juices.
How do I adapt this meal for picky kids or toddlers?
Kids love the sweet teriyaki-style brown sugar glaze. Serve over heaps of white jasmine rice.
What are the best side dishes to serve with this?
Recommended sides include Air fryer frozen egg rolls, Steamed white rice, Edamame.