by Alyssa RiversThis website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my privacy policy.
What You Need to Make Chinese Beef and Broccoli
If you make only one recipe from my blog and are a fan of beef and broccoli… you have GOT to make this. Like go to the store and buy the ingredients and make it ASAP! It is so good that it will be the biggest hit at the dinner table. You will make it again and again, just like we do!
- Beef chuck roast: Boneless and sliced into thin strips before adding to the crockpot.
- Beef consomme or beef broth: Adds flavor and liquid and covers the meat while it cooks.
- Low sodium soy sauce: Adds a great salty flavor.
- Dark brown sugar: I love the sweetness from the rich molasses in the brown sugar.
- Sesame oil: Combine with soy sauce and broth to make the liquid to cook the beef.
- Garlic cloves: Minced garlic will add a pungent spice flavor.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce.
- Frozen Broccoli Florets: About 3 cups (I used one 14 oz bag)
- White or brown rice: This broccoli and beef is amazing served over cooked rice!
Quick and Easy Steps to Make Beef and Broccoli
Making this recipe again today reminded me of how BOMB it is. Wow! The flavor is incredible. There is something about cooking this meat all day in the slow cooker that makes it so tender and melt in your mouth. It cooks perfectly. And the flavor of the sauce is amazing. Just like you would expect in a restaurant.
- Whisk sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the beef consume, soy sauce, dark brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic.
- Add beef to Crockpot: Lay the beef strips in the crockpot and pour the sauce over, tossing the strips to coat.
- Cook: Turn the crockpot on low and cook for about 6 hours. Mine was ready at 5. You don’t want to cook the beef too long or it will start to shred.
- Make a slurry and add to crockpot: When it is just about done, take 4 Tbsp of the sauce and whisk it in a small bowl with the cornstarch. Slowly stir this into the crockpot.
- Add in broccoli and continue to cook: I added the broccoli right after the slurry so that it could get heated through. You want to let it cook an additional 30 minutes so that the sauce can thicken and frozen broccoli can cook. You don’t want to add the broccoli until the very end or it will be mushy.
- Serve: It is great alone or over white rice. Enjoy!!
Do I Need To Thaw the Broccoli if I Am Using Frozen?
You do not need to thaw it. Add it directly to the crock pot after you add in the cornstarch mixture and allow it to heat up for about 30 minutes.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead?
This recipe can be made ahead! Allow it to cool completely before storing and do not leave out at room temperature longer than 2 hours. It will keep well if properly stored in an airtight container for 2-4 days in the refrigerator or 2-4 months in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight then use within 3-4 days of thawing. If you thaw in the microwave, eat immediately then discard.
More Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
Slow cooking beef is one of the best ways to get incredibly tender beef every time. It allows the fibers to break down tenderizing the meat. Adding sauces and flavorings and then slow cooking them over time infuses the meat with flavor. Slow cooking beef is still one of the best ways to cook it. Give these tried and true favorites a try tonight!
Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound beef chuck roast boneless, sliced into thin strips
- 1 cup beef consomme or beef broth
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tbsp. sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- Frozen Broccoli Florets about 3 cups (I used one 14 oz bag)
- White or brown rice cooked
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the beef consume, soy sauce, dark brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic.
- Lay the beef strips in the crockpot and pour the sauce over, tossing the strips to coat.
- Turn the crockpot on low and cook for about 6 hours. Mine was ready at 5. You don't want to cook the beef too long or it will start to shred.
- About an hour before it is done, take ¼ cup of the sauce and whisk it in a small bowl with the cornstarch. Slowly stir this into the crockpot. Add in the broccoli the last 30 minutes and let the broccoli cook through. You don't want to add the broccoli until the very end or it will be mushy.
- Serve over white rice and enjoy!!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Serves: 6
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
Made this today. Was absolutely delicious. I highly recommend doubling the ingredients and my crockpot ready in 5 hours. Will definitely make it again.
I made this for the first time yesterday and it was absolutely delicious! I used venison and fresh broccoli. The flavors were incredible and it was super easy!!
What can you use if you don’t have a crockpot
Do you have an instant pot? If so, you could try this recipe instead: Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
Do you have a sugar substitute I can use instead of brown sugar?
You can use white sugar instead!
I made this recipe yesterday for the first time. It was absolutely DELICIOUS!
My husband and 10 year old daughter devoured it. They said it is the best beef and broccoli they have ever had!
Thanks so much 💕
Wondering if anyone had tried this substituting Purecane brown sugar for real brown sugar,
Simple and delicious. Marinated in sauce overnight before putting in Crock-Pot. Family already asking for me to make it again. Thanks!
Can you substitute light brown sugar if you can’t find dark brown sugar?
Yes, that will work!
What about cooking this on high?
You can try it on high for 2-3 hours. Your meat might not turn out quite as tender. Just watch it to make sure that it doesn’t get overcooked!
How long should I cook beef if I double the recipe?
I would add an additional two hours to the cook time. But because everyone’s slow cooker is different, I would keep an eye on it in case it needs additional time.
What size crock pot did you use? I have a small (2qt) pot so wondering how I should adjust the ingredients. Thanks!
I usually use a 6 qt crockpot for my recipes!
Recipe says 6 servings. But it only served three in my house including rice.
I’m so sorry! Serving size is tricky. I hope that it tasted good for you!
This is the easiest meal to make and it’s delicious! The whole family loves it, my picky eaters included!
If I decide to do this in the instant pot, so you know how long I’d cook the beef for?
Can you use fresh broccoli
I prefer to use frozen broccoli so that it doesn’t get mushy while it cooks for so long.
Amazing added crushed red pepper and onion powder and seasoned meat with black pepper. Also added 2 sautéed vidalia onions and a diced jalapeño at the end with the corn starch. Topped with diced green onions- off the hook good!!!
I love this recipe! I used chuck tender roast and it works wonderfully. My family absolutely loves it. Thanks for sharing!
What is the serving size?