Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Ready to skip the takeout and make something just as crave-worthy right at home? This Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe is pure comfort in a bowl. Imagine tender strips of beef, vibrant green broccoli, and a savory-sweet sauce that clings to every bite — all delivered with weeknight ease thanks to your Instant Pot. If you’re after a satisfying dinner that dazzles the taste buds and keeps dishes to a minimum, this is a must-try favorite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
It’s amazing how a handful of approachable ingredients create bold, takeout-inspired flavors in this Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe. Each component serves a simple, important purpose: making the beef irresistibly tender, enriching the sauce, or adding that signature pop of green freshness.
- Flank steak or sirloin (1 1/2 pounds, sliced thin): Choose well-marbled beef for the most succulent texture; slice against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- Cornstarch (2 tablespoons, plus 1 tablespoon for slurry): Gives the beef an incredibly silky coating and thickens the sauce at the end for a perfect glossy finish.
- Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons, divided): Helps sear the beef to a gorgeous brown and keeps everything nonstick.
- Beef broth (3/4 cup): Adds deep, savory flavor to the sauce, making it irresistible.
- Low-sodium soy sauce (1/2 cup): Seasoning powerhouse that brings umami complexity without overpowering saltiness.
- Brown sugar (1/4 cup): Balances richness with a hint of sweetness, creating that beloved takeout-style glaze.
- Oyster sauce (2 tablespoons): Elevates the sauce with slightly briny, sweet-salty depth.
- Rice vinegar (1 tablespoon): Lends brightness and slight tang, so the dish never tastes flat.
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Provides that classic aromatic punch in the background.
- Fresh ginger (1 teaspoon, grated): Adds gentle heat and a touch of citrus-like zest.
- Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Just enough spice to round everything out.
- Broccoli florets (4 cups): You can’t have beef and broccoli without them — their crunch and color make the dish sing.
- Cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch & 2 tablespoons water): Ensures the sauce thickens to that dreamy, clingy consistency right before serving.
- Sesame seeds & green onions (for garnish): Add a nutty, herbal crunch if you’re feeling a little extra.
How to Make Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Beef
Start by tossing the thinly sliced beef with cornstarch. This simple coating is essential — it creates that velvety texture, helps the beef brown beautifully, and will do some heavy lifting when it comes to thickening the glossy sauce later on. Let the beef rest while you prep your other ingredients.
Step 2: Sear in Batches
Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add a tablespoon of oil. Drop in half your beef slices and let them sizzle without overcrowding the pot. This gives you a gorgeous crusty edge on the meat, which deepens the flavor. Repeat with the remaining beef, adding a bit more oil if needed. Don’t rush — the little bit of browning makes all the difference!
Step 3: Mix the Sauce
While the Instant Pot works its searing magic, whisk together your beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and black pepper in a bowl. This is where the iconic flavor of the Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe begins to build — the sweet, the savory, the aromatic, all in one bowl.
Step 4: Pressure Cook
Once all the beef is browned, turn off Sauté mode and pour the sauce mixture straight into the Instant Pot with the beef. Give everything a nice stir so the meat is fully coated. Seal the lid, set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (Manual) on High for ten minutes, and let it work its magic. The pressure-tenderizes the beef, marrying the flavors together in a fraction of the usual time.
Step 5: Add Broccoli
When the timer beeps, perform a quick release to safely let out the pressure. Carefully open the lid, then switch the pot back to Sauté mode. This is your chance to toss in the broccoli florets. Let them cook for 3–4 minutes until they’re vibrantly green and just fork-tender — you want them to still have a little bite!
Step 6: Thicken the Sauce
Create a quick cornstarch slurry and stir it into the bubbling sauce with the beef and broccoli. Watch as the sauce goes from liquid to irresistibly clingy in a minute or two. Once thickened to your liking, turn off the heat and let everything settle — this little rest helps the flavors infuse one last time.
How to Serve Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of sesame seeds adds a pop of nutty crunch, while fresh green onions bring out color and an herbal lift. If you have toasted sesame oil, a quick drizzle just before serving sends the aroma over the top. These finishing touches make your Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe feel restaurant-worthy at home.
Side Dishes
This dish was made for a mound of fluffy steamed rice, ready to soak up every last drop of that gorgeous sauce. Or switch things up with brown rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice for lighter fare. A simple cucumber salad, quick pickled veggies, or egg drop soup on the side makes it a full Chinese-inspired feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe in shallow bowls for saucy rice, or pile it onto a large platter for family-style sharing. Tuck leftovers into wraps or soft bao buns, or even toss with cooked noodles for an Asian-inspired pasta night — the flavors shine no matter how you serve it!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let the beef and broccoli cool to room temperature, then store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors meld and deepen, making leftovers even more irresistible! Don’t forget to include some of the thickened sauce with every serving so it stays moist and flavorful.
Freezing
If you wish to freeze your Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe, transfer cooled portions to freezer-safe bags or containers. Try to press out as much air as possible before sealing. It’ll keep well in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
For a quick meal, reheat leftovers in the microwave or gently warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat. If the sauce has thickened a bit too much, add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen it up. Stir occasionally so the broccoli heats through evenly.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Absolutely! Flank steak and sirloin are popular for their tenderness, but you can also use ribeye for a richer result, or even top round or skirt steak if sliced thinly across the grain. Just remember, the thinner you slice, the more melt-in-your-mouth your beef will be.
How do I make this recipe gluten-free?
Substitute low-sodium tamari or coconut aminos for the soy sauce and be sure your oyster sauce is gluten-free. Everything else in the Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe is already gluten-free, so you’re set for those with sensitivities!
Can I add other vegetables?
Of course! Feel free to toss in snap peas, bell peppers, carrots, or water chestnuts after releasing the pressure for even more texture and color. Just add them with the broccoli so they cook until crisp-tender.
Will frozen broccoli work?
Frozen broccoli is a fantastic shortcut. Just give it a quick microwave blast before adding it to the pot, which helps maintain a pleasantly crisp texture and vibrant green color in the final dish.
How do I adjust sweetness or saltiness?
The Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe is really flexible — if you like a slightly sweeter dish, add another tablespoon of brown sugar. To dial back saltiness, use reduced-sodium soy sauce and taste the sauce before pressure cooking so you can adjust as needed.
Final Thoughts
If your weeknight dinners are feeling a little uninspired, this Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe will definitely perk things up. It’s fast, satisfying, and better than most takeout — plus you get to control what goes in! Give it a try and see just how easy it is to bring those classic flavors to your own kitchen.
Print
Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli recipe is a quick and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner. Tender slices of beef are cooked in a savory sauce with crisp broccoli, creating a delicious meal served over steamed rice.
Ingredients
For the Beef:
- 1 1/2 pounds flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)
For the Sauce:
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
- Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Toss the Beef: Toss the sliced beef with 2 tablespoons cornstarch and set aside.
- Sear the Beef: Sear the beef in the Instant Pot using 1 tablespoon of oil until browned.
- Prepare the Sauce: Whisk together beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and black pepper in a bowl.
- Cook: Pressure cook the beef with the sauce mixture, then add broccoli and cornstarch slurry.
- Thicken Sauce: Cook until the sauce thickens, then serve over rice garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
- For extra tender beef, slice it thin across the grain.
- Frozen broccoli can be used; just microwave briefly before adding.
- Adjust sweetness or saltiness by tweaking brown sugar and soy sauce levels.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 790 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
