Beef and Broccoli Recipe

If you’re craving takeout-style comfort with the tenderest meat and just the right crunch of fresh vegetables, Beef and Broccoli is the answer. This dish marries melt-in-your-mouth beef with vibrant, al dente broccoli, all smothered in a savory, umami-rich sauce that tastes far more complex than its simple preparation. Whether you’re new to making stir-fries or a seasoned home cook, you’ll love how the slow cooker makes each bite luxurious and irresistibly flavorful. Get ready to fall in love with your own homemade Beef and Broccoli!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best Beef and Broccoli comes from starting with quality, straightforward ingredients. Each one plays a vital role, whether it’s in building bold flavor, ensuring perfect texture, or creating that glossy, restaurant-style finish.

• Beef chuck or flank steak (1 ½ pounds): Sliced against the grain for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that holds up in the slow cooker.
• Broccoli florets (4 cups): Fresh broccoli keeps its color and a satisfying crunch even after cooking.
• Beef broth (1 cup): Adds a rich, meaty base to the sauce and helps keep the beef juicy.
• Low-sodium soy sauce (½ cup): Balances salt with depth, so your sauce isn’t too overpowering.
• Oyster sauce (¼ cup): Brings an unmistakable savory-sweet flavor that makes Beef and Broccoli truly crave-worthy.
• Hoisin sauce (¼ cup): Infuses the dish with a sweet, slightly tangy note that tastes like pure comfort.
• Garlic, minced (2 cloves): You just can’t skip this—garlic wakes up every mouthful with its aroma.
• Sesame oil (1 tablespoon): Just a splash delivers a toasty, nutty accent that lingers in every bite.
• Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): The secret to a glossy, silky sauce that clings beautifully to beef and broccoli.
• Water (2 tablespoons): Whisked with cornstarch so your sauce thickens without any lumps.
• Cooked white rice (for serving): A classic and comforting base that soaks up every drop of sauce.
• Sliced green onions (for garnish): Sprinkle for a splash of fresh color and mild bite right before serving.
• Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish): Toasted seeds give a final flourish of crunch and earthy flavor.

How to Make Beef and Broccoli

Step 1: Build the Flavorful Sauce

Start by adding the beef broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, and sesame oil directly to your slow cooker. Give everything a good stir until it’s well combined. This fragrant mix is the cornerstone of your Beef and Broccoli, infusing every piece of beef with layer after layer of savory, slightly sweet depth as it cooks.

Step 2: Add the Beef

Place your sliced beef into the slow cooker, making sure to toss the pieces so they’re evenly coated with all that delicious sauce. Taking this extra second ensures every bite gets seasoned and tenderizes to perfection as it cooks.

Step 3: Slow Cook Until Tender

Cover the slow cooker and set it on low. Let your Beef and Broccoli cook away for 4 to 5 hours, or until the beef practically falls apart with a fork. This hands-off time is where the magic happens—the beef becomes unbelievably tender and those flavors meld beautifully.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce

About 30 minutes before the beef is finished, mix your cornstarch and water in a small bowl until completely smooth. Pour this slurry into the slow cooker and stir well. This step is the secret to a shiny, clingy sauce that makes Beef and Broccoli taste just like the best Chinese takeout.

Step 5: Add the Broccoli

Now it’s time for those fresh, vibrant broccoli florets! Add them directly to the slow cooker, put the lid back on, and allow everything to cook for another 20 to 30 minutes. This is just enough time for the broccoli to become tender yet retain a gorgeous, bright green color and pleasant bite.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Spoon your Beef and Broccoli over steaming bowls of white rice. Don’t forget to sprinkle each plate with sliced green onions and, if you’re feeling fancy, a pinch of sesame seeds. Every forkful is a little celebration of comfort and flavor!

How to Serve Beef and Broccoli

Garnishes

A simple sprinkle of sliced green onions adds freshness and a subtle crunch, while sesame seeds offer a nutty note that pairs perfectly. For extra color, add a few thin slices of red chili or a scatter of julienned carrots—your Beef and Broccoli will look as incredible as it tastes.

Side Dishes

This dish is a natural over fluffy white rice, soaking up all that sauce like a dream. For a change, try brown rice or jasmine rice, or even tuck it into a bowl alongside garlic noodles. A simple cucumber salad or crisp Asian slaw makes a refreshing, palate-cleansing side.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re planning to impress, serve Beef and Broccoli in individual rice bowls and top each with a soft-boiled egg. Or, wrap portions in large lettuce leaves for a fun, hands-on dinner. You can also make this the star of a home-style Asian feast alongside spring rolls, dumplings, or sweet chili tofu for a real crowd-pleaser.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Beef and Broccoli keeps beautifully! Just let everything cool, then transfer to an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Refrigerate, and it’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen as they rest, making tomorrow’s lunch something to look forward to.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze Beef and Broccoli in individual portions or a large freezer-safe bag, laying it flat for quick thawing. Be sure to squeeze out excess air to help prevent freezer burn. It’ll keep for up to 2 months—just note that broccoli may soften a bit, but the flavor remains comforting as ever.

Reheating

To reheat, let refrigerated portions come to room temperature, then warm in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or water if the sauce needs loosening. Microwave reheating works, too—cover loosely and heat in 1-minute bursts, stirring in between, until steamy and hot throughout.

FAQs

What cut of beef is best for Beef and Broccoli?

Flank steak is the classic choice because it cooks up tender and slices beautifully, but beef chuck works well, too, especially when cooked low and slow as in this recipe. Just remember to slice thinly against the grain for the softest results.

Can I make Beef and Broccoli gluten free?

Absolutely! Choose certified gluten-free soy sauce, hoisin, and oyster sauce. Most standard brands offer gluten-free options, and the rest of the ingredients are naturally free from gluten.

How do I keep the broccoli bright green?

Add the broccoli toward the end of cooking and don’t overcook—it usually needs just 20 to 30 minutes in the slow cooker after the beef is nearly done. The result is broccoli that’s both tender and still vibrant.

Can I use frozen broccoli?

You can, especially for convenience, but add it still frozen in the last 15 minutes so it doesn’t become mushy. Fresh broccoli gives the best crunch and color, but frozen works in a pinch.

Is there a substitute for oyster or hoisin sauce?

Try soy sauce mixed with a touch of brown sugar and a dash of rice vinegar to mimic hoisin, and use mushroom-based vegetarian oyster sauce as a swap for oyster sauce. Both subs will get you close to the classic Beef and Broccoli flavor profile.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never made Beef and Broccoli at home, this is your invitation to dive right in. It’s the ultimate cozy meal that’s both special and satisfyingly simple, and I just know it’ll become a new favorite at your table. Give it a try—you might never go back to takeout again!

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