Craving Chinese takeout but trying to stick to a keto or low-carb diet? This keto beef and broccoli crockpot recipe is the perfect solution. It's incredibly easy to make, requires minimal prep time, and delivers the same delicious flavors you love, without the added sugars and carbs. This recipe is a great way to feed your entire family or prepare meals for the week.
Why Choose a Crockpot for Beef and Broccoli?
Using a slow cooker for beef and broccoli offers several advantages:
- Convenience: Simply add the ingredients to the crockpot, set it, and forget it. This is ideal for busy weeknights or meal prepping.
- Tender Beef: The slow cooking process ensures that even tougher cuts of beef become incredibly tender and flavorful.
- Flavor Infusion: The beef simmers in a delicious sauce, absorbing all the savory and umami flavors.
- Easy Cleanup: One-pot cooking means fewer dishes to wash.
Ingredients You'll Need
This recipe calls for a handful of simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry:
- Beef: Use your favorite type of thinly sliced beef. Grass-fed sirloin steak, flank steak, stew meat, or sliced chuck roast are all excellent choices. About 1 1/2 to 2 pounds.
- Broccoli: Frozen broccoli florets are convenient, but fresh broccoli florets can also be used. 3-4 cups.
- Beef Stock or Broth: Use your favorite beef stock or broth as the base for the sauce. Stock will provide a richer and thicker flavor. 1 cup.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: This adds the classic umami flavor. For a gluten-free option, use coconut aminos or tamari sauce. 1/2 cup.
- Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides a bolder flavor than garlic powder. 1 Tablespoon minced.
- Fresh Ginger: Adds a warm, spicy note to the dish.
- Liquid Sweetener: Use a keto-friendly liquid sweetener like SweetLeaf Stevia drops. You can use a keto sweetener conversion chart to replace it with a similar sweetener. 3 tbs your sweetener of choice.
- Oil: Avocado oil, olive oil, or coconut oil can be used. 1 Tablespoon sesame oil.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Add a pinch or two for a touch of heat.
- Xanthan Gum or Arrowroot flour: This is used to thicken the sauce.
- Optional Garnishes: Green onions and sesame seeds add a pop of color and flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here's how to make this easy keto beef and broccoli in your crockpot:
- Prepare the beef: Sear the steak in a hot skillet over medium heat with a bit of olive or avocado oil for about 2 minutes per side before adding it to the slow cooker. This is optional, but it will lock the juices in the meat and add a deeper flavor. Slice the beef into thin strips against the grain.
- Combine ingredients in the crockpot: Add the steak, beef stock, garlic, ginger, coconut aminos, stevia, oil, and red pepper flakes into a small crock pot.
- Cook the beef: Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 3 hours until the beef is tender. Cooking time will vary.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water in a small mixing bowl. Remove 1/4 cup liquid or use 1/4 cup water and whisk in the 2-3 Tablespoons cornstarch. Stir back into the pot. Alternatively, you can make an arrowroot slurry. Mix 2.5 tbsp arrowroot flour dissolved in about 1-2 tbsp of room temp and add to the beef mixture after it’s done cooking (not before). If you want it even thicker, do it again until you reach your desired consistency. Arrowroot flour is a common paleo-friendly thickener and it’s 1 carb per tablespoon.
- Add the broccoli: Add the broccoli florets to the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This will prevent them from becoming overcooked and mushy. If you are using frozen broccoli, you will want to add the broccoli at the very last minute.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve over cauliflower rice for a complete keto-friendly meal.
Tips and Variations
- Use a large enough slow cooker: A 2-quart slow cooker works well for this recipe.
- Don't overcook the broccoli: Add the florets during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent them from becoming too soft.
- Adjust the sweetness: Add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Make it spicier: Add a dash of cayenne pepper or paprika to the beef.
- Add oyster sauce: A dash of this salty sauce gives it a full flavor.
- Add more veggies: Mix in some mushrooms and bell peppers.
- Use sesame oil: You can use it in place of the avocado oil; just use less of it.
- Make it a freezer meal: Add all the uncooked ingredients (except the xanthan gum and broccoli) to a freezer-safe food storage bag to make this a freezer meal. Then, seal it thoroughly and store it in the freezer flat. When you are ready to cook it, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Then, place all the contents of the bag into your slow cooker.
Serving Suggestions
- Cauliflower Rice: A perfect low-carb alternative to traditional rice.
- Sunomono Japanese Cucumber Salad: A light and crispy salad to start the meal.
- Brown Rice: For those not on a keto diet.
Common Questions
- Is sesame oil keto-friendly? Yes, it is.
- How do you make keto beef and broccoli sauce? The sauce is made with a combination of beef broth, soy sauce, avocado oil, and xanthan gum.
- How do you thicken sauce on keto? Xanthan gum is the most effective way to thicken sauces on the keto diet. It is carb-free and works just like cornstarch.
- Is this recipe for beef and broccoli gluten-free? Yes, it is because I used a gluten-free soy sauce and did not use any other ingredients that contain gluten.
- Can I use frozen broccoli? Yes! It may become more mushy than fresh broccoli but will still taste great. Do not defrost the frozen broccoli florets just add them to the slow cooker at the same time you would have added the fresh broccoli.
- How long does it take for the broccoli to cook in the crockpot? Since we are cooking the broccoli in sauce that is already heated, it should take around 30 minutes for your broccoli to cook and for the sauce to thicken.
- Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes, prep it the night before, store covered in the refrigerator then all you have to do is toss it in the crockpot in the morning or 3-4 hours before you plan to serve dinner.
- How to store leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water to rehydrate and keep the leftovers from drying out. Freeze leftovers in an airtight container up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before heating and serving.
Nutritional Information (Estimate)
Calories: 247kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 27g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 68mg, Sodium: 587mg, Potassium: 608mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 283IU, Vitamin C: 41mg, Calcium: 58mg, Iron: 2mg
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
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