Slice the Beef: Begin by cutting the beef into thin strips against the grain. This ensures the beef remains tender during the slow cooking process.

Place in Slow Cooker: Add the sliced beef directly into the bottom of your slow cooker.

Combine the Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together:

Soy sauce (1/2 cup)

Beef broth (1 cup)

Sesame oil (1 tablespoon)

Brown sugar (1 tablespoon, optional)

Rice vinegar (2 teaspoons)

Minced garlic (3 cloves)

Grated ginger (1 tablespoon)

Pour the Sauce: Once mixed, pour the sauce evenly over the beef in the slow cooker, making sure everything is coated.

Set the Cooker: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to low heat. Let the beef cook for about 4-6 hours. The low and slow cooking process allows the beef to become tender and soak up all the delicious flavors.

Check for Doneness: After 4 hours, check the beef—it should be fork-tender and easy to shred.

Add the Fresh Broccoli: About 30 minutes before serving, add the fresh broccoli florets to the slow cooker. Stir them gently into the beef and sauce.

Cook Until Tender: Let the broccoli cook in the sauce for 30 minutes. It will turn bright green and stay slightly crisp, which adds a nice texture contrast to the tender beef.

Make a Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch (2 tablespoons) with 1 tablespoon of water to create a smooth slurry.

Stir Into the Sauce: Pour the slurry into the slow cooker and stir it in. Let the sauce cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until it thickens to a rich, glossy consistency.

Serve Over Rice or Noodles: For a complete meal, serve your Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli over steamed white rice, brown rice, or noodles.

Garnish: If you’d like, garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds or chopped green onions for extra flavor and color.