Crockpot Beef And Broccoli Over Rice is an easy slow cooker dinner made with tender beef, a savory sauce, fresh broccoli, and warm rice. It has the takeout-style flavor people love, but it is simple enough to make at home with everyday ingredients.
This recipe is great for busy weekdays because the beef cooks slowly until it becomes soft and flavorful. Near the end, you add the broccoli so it stays bright and tender, then serve everything over rice for a filling family meal.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
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Easy slow cooker dinner: The crockpot does most of the cooking for you.
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Great for busy nights: Start the beef earlier in the day, then finish with broccoli and rice.
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Family-friendly flavor: The sauce is savory, slightly sweet, and not too spicy.
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Better than last-minute takeout: It is warm, hearty, and made with simple pantry ingredients.
Equipment Needed
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Crockpot or slow cooker
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Cutting board
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Sharp knife
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Mixing bowl
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Whisk
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Small bowl for cornstarch slurry
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Rice cooker or saucepan for rice
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Spoon or tongs
Ingredients List
For the Beef and Sauce
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1 1/2 pounds beef chuck roast or flank steak, thinly sliced
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1 cup low-sodium beef broth
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1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
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1/3 cup brown sugar
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1 tablespoon sesame oil
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated, or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
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2 tablespoons cornstarch
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3 tablespoons cold water
For the Broccoli and Rice
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4 cups fresh broccoli florets
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3 cups cooked white rice or brown rice
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1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional
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2 green onions, sliced, optional
Timing & Servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 5
How to Make Crockpot Beef And Broccoli Over Rice Step by Step
Step 1: Slice the beef
Cut the beef into thin strips. If using chuck roast, trim away large pieces of fat first. Thin slices cook better and become more tender in the sauce.
Step 2: Make the sauce
In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Step 3: Add beef and sauce to the crockpot
Place the sliced beef in the crockpot. Pour the sauce over the beef and stir gently so the meat is coated.
Step 4: Cook the beef
Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the beef is tender.
Step 5: Thicken the sauce
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir this mixture into the crockpot. Cover and cook on high for 15 to 20 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
Step 6: Add the broccoli
Stir in the broccoli florets. Cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, until the broccoli is tender but not mushy.
Step 7: Prepare the rice
While the broccoli cooks, prepare the rice according to package directions if it is not already cooked.
Step 8: Serve over rice
Spoon the beef and broccoli over warm rice. Add sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.
Tips for the Best Crockpot Beef And Broccoli Over Rice
- Slice the beef thinly so it cooks evenly and stays tender. If the beef is hard to slice, place it in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes first.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce and beef broth. Regular soy sauce can make the dish too salty, especially after slow cooking.
- Add the broccoli near the end. If it cooks for the full time, it can become too soft and lose its bright color.
- Do not skip the cornstarch slurry. It helps turn the cooking liquid into a glossy sauce that coats the beef and rice.
- For softer broccoli, cook it closer to 30 minutes. For firmer broccoli, check it around 20 minutes.
Variations to Try
- Use chicken instead of beef for a lighter version. Boneless chicken thighs work best because they stay moist.
- Add vegetables like snap peas, bell peppers, mushrooms, or carrots for more color and texture.
- Use honey instead of brown sugar for a slightly different sweetness.
- Make it spicy by adding extra red pepper flakes, chili garlic sauce, or a small spoonful of sriracha.
- Serve it over cauliflower rice if you want a lower-carb option.
Serving Suggestions
Crockpot Beef And Broccoli Over Rice is a complete meal on its own because it has protein, vegetables, and rice in one bowl.
You can serve it with egg rolls, dumplings, cucumber salad, or a simple side of steamed vegetables. For a fresh finish, add sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or a small squeeze of lime.
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating
You can slice the beef and mix the sauce the night before. Store them separately in the refrigerator, then add everything to the crockpot when ready to cook.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For best texture, store the rice separately if possible.
Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each one. You can also warm it in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of broth or water.
The beef and sauce freeze well for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze without the broccoli and rice. Add fresh broccoli when reheating, then serve over fresh rice.
Nutritional Facts
Calories: 465
Fat: 15g
Carbs: 50g
Protein: 32g
Sugar: 13g
Sodium: 890mg
Crockpot Beef And Broccoli Over Rice
Equipment
- Crockpot or slow cooker
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Small bowl for cornstarch slurry
- Rice cooker or saucepan for rice
- Spoon or tongs
Ingredients
For the Beef and Sauce
- 1 1/2 pounds beef chuck roast or flank steak thinly sliced
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated, or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
For the Broccoli and Rice
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 3 cups cooked white rice or brown rice
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional
- 2 green onions sliced, optional
Instructions
Step 1: Slice the beef
- Cut the beef into thin strips. If using chuck roast, trim away large pieces of fat first. Thin slices cook better and become more tender in the sauce.
Step 2: Make the sauce
- In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Step 3: Add beef and sauce to the crockpot
- Place the sliced beef in the crockpot. Pour the sauce over the beef and stir gently so the meat is coated.
Step 4: Cook the beef
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the beef is tender.
Step 5: Thicken the sauce
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir this mixture into the crockpot. Cover and cook on high for 15 to 20 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
Step 6: Add the broccoli
- Stir in the broccoli florets. Cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, until the broccoli is tender but not mushy.
Step 7: Prepare the rice
- While the broccoli cooks, prepare the rice according to package directions if it is not already cooked.
Step 8: Serve over rice
- Spoon the beef and broccoli over warm rice. Add sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.
FAQs
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes. Add frozen broccoli near the end and cook just until heated through. It may be softer than fresh broccoli.
What beef works best for this recipe?
Chuck roast, flank steak, or sirloin can work. Chuck roast becomes very tender in the crockpot, while flank steak cooks a little faster.
Can I cook the rice in the crockpot too?
It is better to cook the rice separately. Rice can become mushy in the slow cooker with this recipe.
How do I make the sauce thicker?
Use the cornstarch and cold water slurry, then cook on high for 15 to 20 minutes. If needed, add one more teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a little cold water.
Conclusion
Crockpot Beef And Broccoli Over Rice is a simple, comforting meal that brings together tender beef, fresh broccoli, and a savory sauce in one easy dinner. It is a helpful recipe for busy days when you want something warm, filling, and homemade without much hands-on cooking.