Slow Cooker Beef Broccoli: A Simple, Flavorful, and Healthy Weeknight Meal
Are you looking for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner that's also healthy? Look no further than this slow cooker beef broccoli recipe! This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights because it requires minimal prep time and cleanup. The slow cooker does all the work, resulting in tender, flavorful beef and perfectly cooked broccoli. This recipe is also incredibly versatile; you can easily customize it to your liking by adding different vegetables or spices.
Why This Slow Cooker Beef Broccoli Recipe is the Best
This recipe stands out for several reasons:
- Ease of preparation: Minimal chopping and prep work are required. Simply toss everything in the slow cooker and let it simmer!
- Tender beef: The slow cooking process ensures incredibly tender and flavorful beef.
- Healthy and nutritious: Packed with protein and essential vitamins from the beef and broccoli.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to your taste preferences by adding other vegetables, sauces, or spices.
- Minimal cleanup: One-pot cooking means less dishes to wash!
Ingredients You'll Need
- Beef: 1.5 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes (chuck roast or bottom round also work well)
- Broccoli: 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
- Onion: 1 medium onion, chopped
- Garlic: 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- Soy sauce: 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- Brown sugar: 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or to taste, adjust for sweetness)
- Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Water or Beef Broth: 1/2 cup water or beef broth
- Optional additions: 1 tablespoon sesame oil, red pepper flakes for spice, 1/4 cup chopped carrots or bell peppers.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sear the beef (optional): For a richer flavor, sear the beef cubes in a skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes per side, until browned. This step isn't strictly necessary, but it adds depth of flavor.
- Combine ingredients: In your slow cooker, combine the seared (or unseared) beef, onion, and garlic.
- Add sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and water (or beef broth). Pour this mixture over the beef and vegetables.
- Slow cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is very tender.
- Add broccoli: During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
- Serve: Serve hot over rice, quinoa, or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds (optional).
Tips and Variations for the Best Slow Cooker Beef Broccoli
- For a thicker sauce: Increase the amount of cornstarch to 3 tablespoons.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Add more veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or mushrooms. Add them along with the onions and garlic.
- Use different cuts of beef: While stew meat is ideal, chuck roast or bottom round also work well in this recipe.
- Make it ahead: This recipe is great for meal prepping! You can prepare it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I freeze this recipe?
A: Yes! Allow the slow cooker beef broccoli to cool completely before storing it in airtight containers in the freezer. It will keep for up to 3 months.
Q: What can I serve this with?
A: This slow cooker beef broccoli is delicious served over rice, quinoa, noodles, or even mashed potatoes.
This slow cooker beef broccoli recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It's simple, healthy, and delicious – the perfect weeknight meal! Enjoy!
