Imagine coming home to a kitchen filled with the most incredible aroma of tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef and perfectly cooked broccoli, all without spending hours slaving over the stove. This Slow Cooker Beef Broccoli recipe is about to become your new weeknight dinner superhero! With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you'll create a restaurant-quality Chinese-inspired dish that will have your family begging for seconds. Get ready to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience that's both easy and incredibly delicious!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef flank steak, sliced thinly
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Cooked rice for serving
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the beef flank steak. Slice it thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness. This will help the meat cook evenly and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, and sesame oil. Whisk these ingredients together until the brown sugar is fully dissolved, creating a flavorful marinade for the beef.
- Add the sliced beef to the bowl with the marinade. Ensure that all pieces of beef are well-coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes for the best flavor.
- While the beef is marinating, prepare the broccoli florets. Rinse them under cold water to remove any dirt and then set them aside to drain.
- After marinating, transfer the beef and marinade into the slow cooker. Make sure to scrape any remaining marinade from the bowl into the slow cooker for maximum flavor.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 4 hours. This slow cooking will make the beef tender and allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- About 30 minutes before the cooking time is complete, add the broccoli florets to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine them with the beef and sauce, ensuring the broccoli is coated in the flavorful liquid.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Once the broccoli has cooked for about 30 minutes, stir the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker. This will help thicken the sauce.
- Continue cooking for the remaining time, allowing the sauce to thicken and the broccoli to become tender but still vibrant in color.
- Once the cooking time is complete, taste the beef and broccoli for seasoning. Adjust with additional soy sauce or sugar if needed.
- Serve the slow cooker beef broccoli over cooked rice, allowing the delicious sauce to soak into the rice. Enjoy your homemade Chinese-inspired meal!
Tips
- Slice the beef against the grain: This is crucial for ensuring tender, easy-to-eat meat that practically melts in your mouth.
- Don't skip the marinating step: Even 15 minutes of marinating can dramatically enhance the flavor of your beef.
- Use fresh broccoli florets: Frozen broccoli can become mushy, so stick to fresh for the best texture and vibrant color.
- Time the broccoli carefully: Adding broccoli in the last 30 minutes prevents overcooking and keeps it crisp-tender.
- The cornstarch slurry is your secret weapon: It helps thicken the sauce and gives your dish that perfect, glossy restaurant-style finish.
- Adjust seasoning at the end: Taste and tweak the sauce before serving to ensure it's perfectly balanced.
- Serve over freshly cooked rice: Let the rice soak up all those delicious sauce flavors for an extra tasty meal.Pro Tip: For an extra flavor boost, garnish with some toasted sesame seeds or green onions before serving!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 75mg
