Slow Cooker Sesame Beef and Broccoli

beef and broccoli over rice on a white plate

4.19 from 11 votes

Slow Cooker Sesame Beef and Broccoli

Sesame Beef and Broccoli doesn’t just have to be made stir-fry style. Try this slow cooker version with tender pieces of beef in a sweet and savory sauce.

This recipe can be made in a 4-quart or 6-quart slow cooker.

Prep Time25

Cook Time6

Total Time6 25

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: beef, beef and broccoli, beef recipe, easy, weeknight-friendly, fakeout takeout, slow cooker recipe

Servings:

Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef

Cost: $9.37

Equipment

4-quart or 6-quart Slow Cooker
Large Skillet

Ingredients

Combine in the Slow Cooker:

2 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cubed (about 3” each; or use large cubes of beef stew meat)
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 cup low-sodium beef stock
1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon rice vinegar

To Finish:

1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
10 ounces steam-in-bag broccoli florets
3 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons white sesame seeds
cooked rice, for serving

Instructions

Optional Browning (this step improves the flavor and helps the beef to hold its shape as it cooks, but can be skipped in a pinch): Heat 2 Tbsp cooking oil (not in ingredients list) in a large skillet or saute pan over medium meat. Pat the beef dry and season it lightly with some salt and pepper. Add the beef to the skillet and cook on all sides until brown. It does not need to be cooked through since it will finish cooking in the slow cooker.
Combine beef, ginger, garlic, stock, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar in the bowl of a slow cooker. (Note: If you want to make this a freezer meal, combine all of these ingredients in a freezer-safe plastic bag or other container.)
Cook until beef is tender, low for 6 to 7 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. (I prefer the low setting for the most tender beef.) After cooking, you can leave the slow cooker on the warm setting for up to 3 hours.
When you’re about ready to serve, turn the slow cooker up to high. Whisk together the cornstarch, water, toasted sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour into the slow cooker and stir gently to combine.
Cover the slow cooker and continue to cook for 15 minutes more.
Meanwhile, steam the broccoli according to package instructions.
Just before serving, stir the broccoli and green onions into the beef. (Stir gently as the beef is likely very tender and will have a tendency to break apart.)
Top with sesame seeds. Serve over rice.

Notes

The cornstarch addition at the end of cooking will not make a super thick sauce, but it does help to give the sauce a little more substance so that it clings to rice.

Nutrition