15 Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipes to Try — a simple, savory and better than takeout collection you can make tonight. Below are our favorite slow cooker beef and broccoli ideas for busy weeknights, from quick classics to fresh twists, each easy to make and easy to save.
Part of our Takeout-Style Dinners collection.
Start with flank steak, broccoli florets, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, cornstarch and sesame oil. From there, each idea below is a simple swap or add-in — mix and match to suit your taste and what's in your kitchen.
Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.
Tender strips of beef simmered low and slow in a glossy, garlicky soy-ginger sauce, then tossed with crisp-tender broccoli for a takeout favorite you can make hands-off at home.
Place the sliced beef into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker and spread it out into an even layer.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes until the sugar dissolves. Pour the sauce evenly over the beef and gently toss to coat.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours (or on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours), until the beef is fork-tender and easily pulls apart. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking so the heat stays in.
About 30 minutes before serving, whisk the cornstarch and cold water together in a small bowl until smooth with no lumps. Stir this slurry into the slow cooker until fully combined with the sauce.
Scatter the broccoli florets over the top of the beef. Do not stir them in yet, so they steam rather than sink into the liquid.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 20 to 30 minutes, until the broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender and the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Gently fold the broccoli into the beef and sauce until everything is evenly coated and glossy. Taste and add a splash more soy sauce if you'd like it saltier.
Spoon the beef and broccoli over bowls of warm cooked rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions, then serve right away.
Nutrition is an estimate and will vary with brands, substitutions and portion size.
Tender strips of chuck roast simmer low and slow in a savory soy, garlic, and brown sugar sauce until they melt in your mouth. It tastes just like your favorite takeout, but with almost no hands-on work. Stir the broccoli in during the last 30 minutes so it stays bright green and never turns mushy.
This budget-friendly twist swaps pricey steak for ground beef that soaks up all the sweet-and-savory sauce in the slow cooker. It comes together with pantry staples and stretches to feed a hungry crowd. Serve it over rice or fluffy noodles and top with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
A sticky, glossy honey garlic sauce coats every bite of beef with just the right balance of sweet and savory. The slow cooker does all the caramelizing work while you go about your day. For extra shine, thicken the sauce with a quick cornstarch slurry right before adding the broccoli.
Gochujang and a splash of rice vinegar give this version a warm, gently spicy kick that builds without overwhelming. The bold flavors deepen beautifully over hours of slow cooking. Garnish with sliced green onions and a drizzle of sesame oil for that authentic finish.
Sweet, glossy teriyaki sauce clings to fork-tender beef and crisp-tender broccoli in this family favorite. It is mild enough for picky eaters yet full of flavor. Add a handful of pineapple chunks in the last hour for a bright, tropical twist that kids love.
This grain-free version skips the sugar and cornstarch, using a touch of monk fruit sweetener and xanthan gum to keep the sauce rich and thick. It is loaded with protein and low in carbs, making it perfect for a keto meal plan. Serve it over cauliflower rice for a satisfying, guilt-free dinner.
Earthy sliced mushrooms join the beef and broccoli, soaking up the umami-rich sauce as everything cooks together. The mushrooms add a hearty, meaty depth that makes this feel extra filling. Use cremini or shiitake for the boldest flavor and stir them in at the start.
Fresh orange juice and zest bring a citrusy brightness that lifts the whole dish above ordinary takeout. The slow cooker mellows the tang into a warm, sweet glaze around the beef. Finish with a little extra zest right before serving to make the citrus really pop.
Turn the tender saucy beef into a cozy noodle bowl by ladling it over springy ramen and a splash of the cooking broth. It is a warming, slurpable dinner that comes together fast once the beef is done. Top with a soft-boiled egg and a shake of chili crisp for a restaurant-worthy bowl.
A generous hit of fresh garlic and grated ginger gives this version a fragrant, zesty backbone that fills the kitchen with aroma. The two aromatics infuse the beef deeply over the long cook time. Grate the ginger fresh rather than using powder for the brightest, most vibrant flavor.
Spoon the saucy slow-cooked beef and chopped broccoli into crisp butter lettuce cups for a light, hands-on meal. The cool, crunchy lettuce is a refreshing contrast to the warm, savory filling. Chop the broccoli small before cooking so the wraps are easy to fold and bite.
Toasted sesame oil and a shower of sesame seeds give this dish a nutty, aromatic richness that is hard to resist. The flavor deepens as the beef slow-cooks in the fragrant sauce. Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan for a minute before sprinkling to unlock even more flavor.
Colorful strips of red and yellow bell pepper add sweetness, crunch, and a rainbow of color to the classic combo. The peppers stay slightly crisp when added in the final stretch of cooking. This one is as pretty on the plate as it is delicious, making it great for company.
A spoonful of hoisin sauce brings a deep, sweet-savory complexity with hints of five-spice to every bite. It creates a thick, lacquered coating on the beef that feels indulgent. Warm a splash of the sauce and brush it over the finished dish for an extra glossy, sticky glaze.
Batch-cook a big pot of saucy beef and broccoli, then portion it over rice into containers for grab-and-go lunches all week. It reheats beautifully and the flavors only get better after a day in the fridge. Keep the rice and beef in separate compartments so the grains stay fluffy, not soggy.
Beef and Broccoli pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice, fried rice, lo mein or egg rolls. Round out the table with ideas from our other collections for an easy, crowd-pleasing spread.
Try it alongside 25 Easy Baked Ziti Recipes for Cozy Dinners or 25 Cozy Chicken Spaghetti Recipes for Dinner.
Yes. Most beef and broccoli in this list can be assembled or fully prepped ahead, then covered and refrigerated. Bake or reheat just before serving so everything tastes fresh.
Cool beef and broccoli completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in the oven, microwave or air fryer until warmed through.
Many of these beef and broccoli freeze well. Wrap tightly or use a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months, thaw overnight in the fridge, and reheat until hot in the center.
Beef and Broccoli pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice, fried rice, lo mein or egg rolls. Mix and match to build a full meal or a simple spread depending on the occasion.
Skim the 15 ideas above and choose by time, skill level and what's in your kitchen. Start with the simplest one, then work up to the more loaded, dressed-up versions.
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