Easy Crockpot Beef & Broccoli: Freezer-Friendly Dinner
This easy crockpot beef & broccoli is tender, saucy, and tastes like it simmered all day, but the actual work is about fifteen minutes. It’s a freezer-friendly dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-6 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds beef chuck roast, thinly sliced against the grain
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- 3 cups broccoli florets (about 1 large head)
- 3–4 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Slice the beef: Place the chuck roast in the freezer for about 20 minutes to firm it up, then slice thinly against the grain, about ¼-inch thick.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, beef broth, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
- Layer in the crockpot: Place sliced beef in the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the sauce over the top and toss with tongs until the beef is well coated. Do not add the broccoli yet.
- Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Add the broccoli: During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets on top without stirring. Cover and let them steam for 25-30 minutes.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Remove beef and broccoli from the crockpot with tongs. Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the hot liquid. Cover and cook on HIGH for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Combine and serve: Return the beef and broccoli to the crockpot and toss gently to coat with the thickened sauce. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
Add broccoli during the last 30 minutes to keep it vibrant and crisp-tender. Slice beef against the grain for tenderness. For a gluten-free version, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. For a low-carb option, replace brown sugar with a low-carb sweetener and skip the cornstarch slurry or use xanthan gum.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (without r
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 890
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 32
Keywords: crockpot beef and broccoli, slow cooker beef and broccoli, freezer-friendly dinner, easy weeknight dinner, beef and broccoli recipe