This easy Whole30 slow cooker recipe makes cooking beef and broccoli at home so simple. It comes together in the crock pot incredibly fast, and is a great meal prep recipe or weeknight meal because you just dump the ingredients, and come back later to a healthy, Paleo, keto and Whole30 broccoli beef waiting for you in the slow cooker! It’s a perfect low carb meal that you can easily add extra veggies to!
Whole30 Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Ingredients
This is a super simple recipe to throw together, and most ingredients are common pantry staples for paleo and Whole30 eaters, or they’re really easy to find! You’ll need coconut aminos and beef broth, minced garlic and minced ginger, and toasted sesame oil and white wine vinegar.
The other ingredients (besides the fresh veggies and beef) are simple spices, along with Chinese 5 Spice which, if you aren’t familiar, makes such a huge difference in Chinese and Asian-inspired recipes. This can be found in most grocery stores either in the spice area or international aisle. Or, of course, you can grab it off of Amazon.
Arrowroot flour is used to thicken the slow cooker beef and broccoli sauce at the end of cooking. You could use tapioca flour instead if that’s what you have available. The beef that’s used here can be a variety of cuts such as flank or strip steak, and as the slow cooker is really an ideal method for cooking tougher cuts of meat, beef roasts work too. Just make sure for all of these cut options, you slice against the grain.
You can find all of these ingredients for a discount from Thrive Market (new members get a $20 shopping credit!), or in all major grocery stores. Check out my shopping guides from Target, Walmart and Trader Joes for ideas on what is all available!
How to Make This Whole30 Slow Cooker Recipe
When getting the slow cooker beef and broccoli started in the slow cooker, you’ll first chop the onion and slice the beef. You can wait to cut up the broccoli until the slow cooker is almost finished, or you can do it beforehand and put it back into the refrigerator, as the broccoli isn’t added until the very end.
Then you’ll just add all of the ingredients, except for the broccoli and arrowroot, into the slow cooker and stir to combine really well so the liquid is incorporated with the spices, and with the beef. After that, you’ll simply cover the slow cooker Whole30 beef and broccoli with the lid, and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for about 6 hours. The beef may cook quicker if it’s very thinly sliced.
An optional step here is to first sear the beef in a hot skillet with a few tablespoons of oil for about 2 minutes per side. This does take longer, and adds an additional dish to wash, but it helps the beef hold up better in strips in the slow cooker and it also adds a deeper flavor to the recipe. It’s great either way, it just depends on what you have available for time!
To finish the recipe, the last step is to dissolve the arrowroot in a bit of water using a small dish, I even use a small measuring cup sometimes. You’ll dissolve the arrowroot to create a slurry, and then pour that into the slow cooker. This ensures that the sauce thickens evenly and the flour doesn’t clump up.
Then stir to combine the arrowroot in with the sauce, add in the broccoli florets and stir again. Put the lid back on and cook for about 15 minutes to thicken the sauce and soften the broccoli. If you want a thicker sauce, add in an additional half a tablespoon at a time until it’s at the thickness you want, and if you want the broccoli to be softer, give it another 10 minutes!
Other Whole30 Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love:
Bacon & Hash Brown Slow Cooker Egg Bake
BBQ Pulled Pork & Pineapple Coleslaw
PrintSlow Cooker Broccoli Beef: Whole30, Paleo, Keto, GF
This easy Whole30 slow cooker recipe makes cooking beef and broccoli at home so simple. It comes together in the crock pot incredibly fast, and is a great meal prep recipe or weeknight meal because you just dump the ingredients, and come back later to a healthy, Paleo, keto and Whole30 broccoli beef waiting for you in the slow cooker!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: Serves 4-6 1x
- Category: Beef
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1.5–2 lbs of beef roast sliced into strips against the grain (you can alternatively use flank or strip steak)
- 1 large white onion, diced in medium pieces
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp mined garlic
- 3 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp minced ginger
- 1 tsp white wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp Chinese 5 spice powder
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2.5 tbsp arrowroot flour dissolved in about 1–2 tbsp of room temp. water
- 4–5 cups broccoli florets
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into your slow cooker except for the arrowroot and broccoli
- Stir well to combine and cover. Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours
- Once the beef is done, pour in the arrowroot that’s been dissolved in the water. Stir to combine in with the sauce and then add in the broccoli and stir to combine
- Cover with the lid again, turn down to low if it isn’t on it already, and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and the broccoli to soften. If you want your broccoli softer than fork tender, you may need to leave it in for a few more minutes
Notes
- You can sear the steak strips 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 an optional step but it does help the beef hold together will and adds an additional depth of flavor.
- You may need to add more arrowroot flour depending on how much broccoli you used and if it releases more excess liquid (using frozen broccoli would do this as well). Simply add in a bit more until the sauce is the thickness you desire. When using arrowroot, if a sauce ever gets too thick, you can thin it again by adding a bit more water.
- The beef may cook more quickly if it was very thinly sliced
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 314
- Fat: 14.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.1 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 22.1 g
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Carly says
A new go to dinner in our house! Love it!
Amanda says
How well would extras keep in the freezer?
paleobailey says
I think it would freeze well!
Lindsey L. says
I can have my favorite Chinese dish and not walk away feeling guilty! The boyfriend raves as well. I’ve made this twice and was unable to get ‘Chinese 5 Spice’ powder the first time. I encourage people to go the mile to purchase it prior. It made a huge difference. Also, I did have to use more arrowroot to thicken both times, regardless of frozen or fresh broccoli. I pair this with cauliflower rice and it was awesome.
alison Rinner Fullerton says
This is a family favorite! Very easy and flavorful. I serve over rice or cauli rice for a low carb meal.
Laura says
I was SKEPTICAL at first when I saw this. I thought there was no way in heck that it would taste as good as it looks…and I was so happy that I was put in my place. Love at first bite. The ease of this meal is going to save my life in the future. I made it on a whim and couldn’t find arrowroot anywhere in store, so I just subbed with a little bit of xantham gum and it was perfection. Thank you so much for this!
Erica says
Made this tonight…this is hands down the best recipe I have tried so far on my Whole30 journey. I served it with a sweet potato. PERFECTION!
Aubrey says
Really excited to try this! Curious, has anyone used frozen broccoli instead of fresh? I have some in my freezer and don’t want to run to the store 🙂
paleobailey says
I think that would be fine. I might leave the broccoli out to thaw first though just so it doesn’t get too watery!
Pam says
Question: can you use xanthan gum as the thickener?
paleobailey says
Hello! I don’t cook with xanthan gum, so I’m not familiar. But if you are used to using that as a thickener and comfortable with swapping it, then I’d say yes 🙂
Liz says
I absolutely LOVE this recipe! My 14 month old son even loves it. I make it every time I get a Chinese food craving without the guilt of consuming something super unhealthy. Amazing, thank you for sharing.
paleobailey says
I’m so happy you love it! And that it’s a hit with your son, too! Thanks so much, Liz 🙂 – B
Elisabeth Conley says
This was so good! It is totally my new fave recipe. Added this to the keeper list. Thank you!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you so much, Elisabeth! <3 - B
Brianna says
I made this tonight for me and my husband and it was so good! I seared the beef first to give it a little extra flavor and then cooked it on low for about 5 hours. I also didn’t have minced ginger, so I subbed in 1 tsp ground ginger instead and it worked out well. I’m not usually a huge beef and broccoli fan, but I will definitely be making this again!
paleobailey says
This is so great to hear! I’m so glad it worked out well for you! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave a review – it’s so appreciated!! 🙂 – B
Lisa Baarns says
Wondering what would happen if I just put in the whole piece of beef and let it cook, then sort of shred it when it’s finished. I know it will be quite different visually, but it would really save time!
paleobailey says
You could totally try it! It wouldn’t have the “bites” of beef pieces being it would be shredded, but I think that it would still be good! Just different 🙂
Rachael says
Hello! Making shopping list to make this next week!
What is 5 spice Chinese powder? Amazon no longer has it…any suggestions on where to find it or what’s actually in the spice? Thank you so much!
paleobailey says
Hi! It’s super easy to find at most stores like Target or Walmart, Whole Foods, any grocery store really just in the spice area! Here’s another one on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Five-Spice-1-9-Jar/dp/B0001M109C/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=chinese+5+spice&qid=1599644539&sr=8-12 and this is the brand Whole Foods carries: https://www.amazon.com/Frontier-Spice-Powder-1-92-Ounce-Bottle/dp/B0001M10VA/ref=sr_1_8_0o_wf?almBrandId=VUZHIFdob2xlIEZvb2Rz&dchild=1&fpw=alm&keywords=chinese+5+spice&qid=1599644597&sr=8-8
lglotti says
INCREDIBLE. Couldn’t believe the authentic take-out taste without any of the guilt! It came together so easily. Currently sharing the recipe with anyone who will listen haha!
paleobailey says
I’m SO happy you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review!! <3 - Bailey
Julianne says
I am not a good cook at all and this recipe came out fantastic. My husband couldn’t believe I made this. A keeper for us!!
paleobailey says
Thank you so much! This is so great to hear! Glad you both enjoy it 🙂
Ashlee says
This recipe is delicious! I fed it to my family and they had no idea how healthy it was. Tastes just like the beef and broccoli at a Chinese restaurant. And it comes together so fast in the IP!
paleobailey says
LOVE this!! Thank you! <3 - B
Stephanie says
Love this recipe! But wondered if there was a nutrient breakdown per serve? Carbs, fats, proteins etc.
paleobailey says
Hi there! I’m so glad you loved it! There isn’t at this time. We’re working on getting nutrition facts input to all recipes, but it’s a slow moving process being they each have to be done individually 🙂
Sam says
Sooooooo good! Worked really well for meal prep!
paleobailey says
Thrilled to hear it! Thank you so much!
Morgan Schultz says
Fab recipe and turned out perfectly. Love that it cooked all day while I took down Christmas decor and cleaned!
paleobailey says
I’m so, so happy to hear this! Thank you so much for coming back and letting me know <3 - B