Beef and broccoli is a classic Americanized Chinese. AND this crock pot beef and broccoli recipe takes it one step farther... Cause this way, you can have classic Chinese deliciousness any time you want! Right out of the crockpot :)
In This Article (click headings to jump)
1 This Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe is a Freezer Meal Too!
2
3 Video for SCK's Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe...
5 Recipe
6 Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe
7 Ingredients1x2x3x
8 Instructions
9 Freezer Meal Directions:
This Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe is a Freezer Meal Too!
Yep! This is another crockpot freezer meal. It does NOT have to be one. But it CAN. That's the beauty of most freezer meals...they can be tossed in a bag or two and frozen for later, or they can be tossed right in the crock pot for a delicious dinner! Either one. This one's no exception...
For this freezer meal you just toss all the ingredients in a large zip lock bag EXCEPT the broccoli and cornstarch. That you dump in a smaller bag and add a bit before serving.
Now that I've said that I'll modify it a bit...you can toss it all in one bag but your broccoli will most likely cook apart. If you don't mind that happening, then toss it all in one bag.
But if you want it to say a bit crisps and look like and taste like the Chinese you are used to eating...just place the broccoli in a smaller bag and stick it inside the big bag.
This is what it looks like when it comes out. It's a little messy, but not bad at all.
Just rinse it off, put it in the refrigerator until a bit before supper and it'll be fine. And this way there's no chance of losing it in the freezer...which is always a good thing
Video for SCK's Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe...
Printable & Pinnable for Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli
Here's the printable and pinnable versions for the recipe. I forgot to write down how many servings...I am guessing 6 to 8. Sorry about that!
Recipe
Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe
SlowCookerKitchen.com
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutesmins
Cook Time 8 hourshrs
Total Time 8 hourshrs10 minutesmins
Servings 6to 8 servings
Ingredients
1½poundsbeef roast or steak cut into stripssteak will be more tender
1 to 2cupsfresh mushroomssliced
1med onionsliced or cut into rings
½ to ¾cupbeef brothdepending on how much sauce you want
Combine beef, mushrooms, onion, broth and sauces in crock pot
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours
About 45 minutes before serving dissolve the cornstarch in the cold water
Add water/cornstarch mixture and broccoli to crock pot
Cover and cook for the remaining 45 minutes
Freezer Meal Directions:
Place everything except the cornstarch and broccoli in a large zip lock freezer bag
Place the broccoli in a separate, smaller bag and place it inside the larger bag
You CAN put the cornstarch in its own freezer bag and put it in the larger bag, it won't hurt it. You can also leave it on the shelf and not. Your choice
Close, label and freezer bag for up to 6 weeks
Follow directions above when ready to cook...you only need to defrost the meat enough to get it out of the bag, it does not have to be completely thawed
Wasn't a huge fan of this one. Seemed to be lacking in the flavor department, I think some garlic would've helped a lot. One family member wouldn't even try it because it had too much sauce and they said it looked like beef and broccoli stew. However, that's my own fault for going with the 3/4 cup of beef broth instead of the half.
Reply
gwensays
Hi Toni, I am sorry you didn't appreciate the flavor. Garlic is ALWAYS a wonderful option. Also, I've noticed as of late that some soy sauces aren't a flavorful as others. I thought it was my taste buds honestly. Maybe it wasn't? Maybe that was part of the issue as well. I honestly don't know, it's a guess. Psstt...Garlic powder and/or onion powder would punch it up a bit maybe. As would oyster sauce. Just ideas if you decide to try it again in the future.
Similarly, slow cooking is great for tenderizing those hardy, root vegetables like carrots, parsnips and turnips, but not for delicate or leafy vegetables. So it's best to avoid soft veggies like kale, spinach, zucchini, asparagus and pumpkin. If you do throw these in, these will just go super soft and turn into mush.
And if you dredge the meat in flour before you brown it, your sauce will thicken up to make a gravy. You should always brown ground beef or any ground meat in a skillet before adding it to your slow cooker to prevent the meat from clumping up or from adding excess grease to your cooked dish.
Place firm, slow-cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and pile the meat on top. Set the heat level: A general rule of thumb is that cooking on the low setting (170 degrees F for most models) takes about twice as long as cooking on high (280 degrees F on most models).
"Raw meat is a slow-cooker staple, but you may need to add it to the pot before adding other ingredients like green vegetables," she shared. "Browning meat in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker has been a game-changer for my slow-cooker meals.
Yes, you can totally cook raw beef in a slow cooker. Many slow-cooker chili recipes have a step for browning the beef before it goes into the Crock-Pot. While this step isn't necessary, caramelizing the meat creates richer, bolder flavors.
The paper towel will absorb excess moisture and prevent any condensation from dripping back onto the food. Be sure to reach for a good-quality, sturdy paper towel that can absorb moisture effectively without falling apart.
Try putting a tea towel over the top of the slow cooker before replacing the lid. This absorbs the excess moisture, thickening the dish and deepening its flavours. The cloth can be replaced with a fresh one when needed, but usually one tea towel during the final couple of hours will do the trick.
Should I stir ingredients in my Crockpot slow cooker while they're cooking? Although you may be tempted, resist the urge to check on the ingredients during the cooking process! Lifting the lid allows heat and steam to escape, which will cause you to have to increase the cooking time.
Can you overcook something in a slow cooker? Slow cookers are specially designed to cook food for long periods of time, but yes, you can still overcook in a slow cooker if something is left on the wrong setting for longer than it's supposed to be.
Typically, beef or pork can turn out dry or not as tender if they aren't browned first. However, this applies more to roasts or whole cuts of meat. While you can certainly brown it partially on the stove first, that defeats the purpose of cooking ground beef in the crock pot!
Yes, it's possible to overcook potatoes in a crockpot. They can become mushy and lose their texture if left for too long. It's advisable to follow a recipe's recommended cooking time to achieve the desired consistency.
Insufficient Liquid: If there wasn't enough liquid in the crockpot, it could have caused uneven cooking. Potatoes need to be fully submerged in liquid to cook evenly. Old Potatoes: Very old or stored potatoes can become starchy and may not soften as well during cooking. It's best to use fresh, firm potatoes.
Certain vegetables: Delicate herbs and veggies like fresh tomatoes, zucchini, and peas won't fare well in the slow cooker, as their individual textures may become mushy and flavorless if left for too long. If your recipe calls for these vegetables, try adding them close to the end of cooking time.
It should just cover the meat and vegetables. Don't overfill your slow cooker, or it may start leaking out the top, and the food won't cook so well. Half to two-thirds full is ideal – certainly no more than three-quarters.
Delicate vegetables like asparagus, spinach, tomatoes, and peas, will overcook in a slow cooker. It's best to stick to sturdier vegetables like carrots and potatoes.
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