How To Make Beef and Broccoli In Your Slow Cooker

For the past few weeks, we’ve been eagerly anticipating the opening of a new Panda Express restaurant that’s just a few doors down from our studio. (You know you live in a small town when you get excited about a new fast food restaurant.) I’m really looking forward to being able to get Panda’s beef and broccoli whenever the craving strikes!

This had me obsessing a bit about my favorite Chinese food dish, and since patience is not a strong suit of mine, I decided to look for a recipe for beef and broccoli to help tame the craving until the new Panda finally opens. When I saw the words “slow cooker” I was sold!

I’m happy to report that this slow cooker beef and broccoli is easy to make, quite affordable, and totally delicious! I wasn’t sure about steaming the broccoli in the microwave, but it turned out to be our favorite part of the dish. The broccoli was cooked through without losing its texture. Additionally, the sauce is tasty, the beef was tender… I really could go on and on. But how about I just show it to you instead? ;-)

Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 lbs. thin-cut steak (I used sirloin thinly cut for stir-fry)
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 4 Tbsp cornstarch
• 3-4 cups fresh broccoli
• White rice, prepared
• Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Directions:

Add steak, onion, garlic, and ginger to the pot of your slow cooker.

In a medium-size bowl, combine the broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes until brown sugar has dissolved.

Pour the mixture into the slow cooker and stir.

Place the lid on the slow cooker, and cook on low for about 90 minutes, or until the steak is done to your liking.

Then collect 1/4 cup of the liquid from your crockpot and put it in a small bowl. Add the cornstarch to the liquid and whisk until smooth.

Return the broth and cornstarch mixture to the crockpot, and let it cook for an additional 10 minutes or so.

Next, put the broccoli in a glass bowl along with 1/4 cup of water.

Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 4-6 minutes.

Combine the steamed broccoli with the beef mixture in a serving bowl (or right in the slow cooker.)

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Serve the beef and broccoli with rice, garnished with sesame seeds if desired. No take out containers needed! :-)