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This beef and broccoli takes just minutes to toss in the slow cooker, and itโ€™s hands-down one of my top recipes on the site! The beef turns melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the flavor is totally next level!

Overhead shot of slow cooker beef and broccoli.

A Reader’s Review

Made this tonight and oh my, it is delicious. Definitely going in our dinner rotation and I feel like this would be great for company as well. Canโ€™t wait for leftovers tomorrow! : )

-Julie

Why Everyoneโ€™s Obsessed

  • Dump, Set, Forget: Just a few minutes of prep and your slow cooker handles the rest. This meal is an easy weeknight win!
  • Flavor Explosion: The rich, savory sauce soaks into every bite, making each mouthful better than anything from takeout.
  • Shortcut to Delicious: Made with everyday ingredients but tastes like your favorite restaurant classic.

Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli Ingredients

Overhead shot of labeled ingredients.
  • What Meat to Use: You can use chuck roast, flank steak, sirloin roast or steaks, or any other lean, thin cut of beef. I like to cut my strips no longer than about 3-4 inches in length to make them easier to eat.
  • Sweetness: You can reduce the amount of sugar if you prefer your beef and broccoli less sweet.
  • Want Some Spice? Add some red pepper flakes to make this a spicy dish.

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli

Making this again today reminded me just how insanely good it isโ€”wow! The beef turns melt-in-your-mouth tender in the slow cooker, and the sauce? An absolute flavor bomb.

  1. Make the Sauce: Whisk the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic together in a medium bowl.
  2. Prep the Beef: Slice the beef against the grain into ยผ-inch strips, then add it to the bottom of a 4-7-quart slow cooker, pour the sauce over, and toss the meat to fully coat it.
  3. Slow Cook: Set the slow cooker to LOW for 2.5-3.5 hours. About an hour before it is done, remove ยผ cup of the sauce and whisk it in a small bowl with the cornstarch. Slowly stir this back into the slow cooker.
  4. Add Broccoli: At the final 30 minutes of cook time, addย the frozen broccoliย to the slow cooker and stir to incorporate it. Cover and finish cooking. This will leave the broccoli crisp-tender, but if you prefer a softer texture, you can partially thaw it before adding it to the slow cooker, or you can add it with 1 hour to 45 minutes of cook time remaining. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired, and serve with white rice and enjoy.

Alyssa’s Beef & Broccoli Pro Tip

Brown the Beef: Want extra flavor? Brown the beef in a skillet for 4โ€“5 minutes before adding it to the slow cooker. Then reduce the cook time by about an hour before adding the broccoli to the crock pot.

Plated beef and broccoli with ruce and sesame seeds.

How to Store Leftovers

This beef and broccoli makes great leftovers and can even be frozen and reheated later!

  • In the Refrigerator: Allow it to cool completely before storing, and do not leave it out at room temperature longer than 2 hours.  It will keep well if properly stored in an airtight container for 5 days in the refrigerator. 
  • In the Freezer: This slow cooker meal can be placed in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 6 months in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat over medium heat on the stove.

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Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli

4.50 from 64 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
My crockpot beef and broccoli recipe is loaded with tender beef, crisp broccoli, and a savory garlic soy sauce.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Equipment

  • 4-7-quart slow cooker

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Make the sauce by whisking 1 cup low-sodium beef broth, ยฝ cup low-sodium soy sauce, โ…“ cup dark brown sugar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and 3 teaspoons minced garlic together in a medium bowl.
  • Add 1 ยฝ pounds boneless beef chuck roast cut into ยผ-inch strips to a 4-7-quart slow cooker and pour the sauce over, tossing the meat to fully coat it.
  • Cook on LOW for 2.5-3.5 hours. About an hour before it is done, remove ยผ cup of the sauce and whisk it in a small bowl with 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Slowly stir this back into the slow cooker.
  • At the final 30 minutes of cook time, add 1 (12-ounce) bag frozen broccoli florets to the slow cooker and stir to incorporate. Cover and cook. This will leave the broccoli as crisp-tender, but if you would like the broccoli to be softer, you can partially thaw it prior to adding it to the slow cooker, or you can add it with 1 hour or 45 minutes left in the cook time.
  • Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired, and serve with white rice.

Video

Notes

Updated June 6, 2025
Storing and Reheating Instructions: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat on the stove over medium heat.

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 24gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 934mgPotassium: 554mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 16IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, entree, Main Course, main dish
Cuisine: Asian American, Chinese, chinese american
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

More Take-Out Favorites

Going out to eat keeps getting more expensive, so I have refined my take-out skills at home. Try my better than take out fried rice, Chinese lemon chicken, and my super satisfying wonton soup. Here are a few more recipes for you to try.

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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Recipe Rating




337 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made this for dinner and the family loved it. I used top sirloin and followed the instructions, five hours low in the slow cooker and it came out perfect.

  2. 4 stars
    My wife and I both liked this recipe, had to use light brown sugar because we didnโ€™t have dark. I thought it was a little on the sweet side but my wife said it was fine with her. We used frozen broccoli but it took at least an hour to cook and be tender. Next time we may thaw the broccoli some before adding.

  3. Hi! I was wondering if I could make this without the brown sugar or if that will affect the taste too much?

    1. You can make it without, but it will affect the taste. The sweetness from the brown sugar balances the saltiness from the soy sauce. You could add more ginger or garlic and just have a savory dish! Let me know what you decide and how it tastes!

  4. 5 stars
    I made this often, we love it! Tastes is restaurant quality! Thank you for making me look good at the dinner table!

  5. I used my crockpot, pressed the 6hr high button. Beef looks like itโ€™s gonna clump into ground beef. Next time, I will try 8hr slow button or just press 8hr slow button and turn off at 6th hour.

      1. How does it taste? Also, where would you get the General Tao sauce and how much did you use for this recipe?? TIA

    1. Hi Nina, thank you for your question. You can use fresh broccoli for a more al dente
      texture, or you can steam it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, with a little water before adding it to the
      crockpot. Either way will work! Let me know how it turns out!

    1. Hi Pattie, thank you for the question. No you don’t need to steam the frozen broccoli before putting it in the crockpot.

  6. 3 stars
    I cooked the beef on low for 5 hours; that was too long as the beef fell apart. However, the sauce and the broccoli turned out great! Next time I will cook on low for 3.5 hours.

    1. Hi Skylar, yes you can use flank steak instead. Slice it thinly against the grain! Let me know how it turns out!

    1. Hi Alice, thank you for your question. You can use fresh broccoli for a more al dente texture, or you can steam it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, with a little water before adding it to the crockpot. Either way will work.

      1. I was thinking about browning the beef first coated in corn starch. similar to your crock pot general tso chicken. that way there’s added flavor from the browning and the corn starch is already incorporated.