Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs beef chuck, roast or chuck steak, sliced into thin 1 1/2-inch long strips
• 1/2 yellow onion, sliced into 2 portions
• 1 cup low-sodium beef broth or beef consommé
• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1/3 cup slightly packed dark-brown sugar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
• 3 cups broccoli florets, diced into bite size pieces, from about 12 oz broccoli crowns
• Sesame seeds, for garnish, optional

Directions

1. Place the beef and the onion portions in the slow cooker. In a mixing bowl, whisk the beef broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and garlic together, then add salt and pepper to taste. Pour the sauce over the beef and onions, put the lid on, and cook on low heat for 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 hours, until the beef is cooked through.
2. Scoop 1/4 cup of broth from the slow cooker into a bowl. Whisk in the cornstarch until the mixture is smooth, then pour it back into the slow cooker and stir gently.
3. Stir in the broccoli pieces. If you prefer a brighter green broccoli, steam it separately and add it at the very end instead. Cover the slow cooker again, turn the heat to high, and cook for 20 minutes longer, until the broccoli is tender and the sauce has thickened a bit.
4. Take out the onion pieces. Serve warm over white or brown rice, with sesame seeds sprinkled on top if you like.