My whole family likes this Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli better than any takeout version! The beef is tender the broccoli isn’t mushy, and the sauce is the perfect blend of savory, sweet, and spice.
You can make it at home at a fraction of the cost of eating out, and it is ready in about 30 minutes. That’s a winning recipe all around!
Why you’ll love this beef & broccoli:
- Cooking it in a pressure cooker ensures that the flank steak is nice and tender, as well as packed with flavor!
- It’s one heck of a tasty way to get your family (and yourself), to eat more healthy broccoli.
- You can feed your entire family for about the same price as one order of takeout beef & broccoli.
- Because you control the ingredients, you can make sure you aren’t adding any fillers or ingredients your family is allergic to. You can also make it much lower in fat.
- The best thing about this recipe is that with minimal effort, it tastes AMAZING!
Frequently asked questions:
Any large cut of lean beef will work. Flank steak (often called london broil), chuck roast, and sirloin steak are the most common cuts. Skirt steak can also be used.
Make sure you cut across the grain into thin slices. This cuts across the muscle fibers, which makes the beef more tender. I like to use a sharp serrated knife.
If you are having a hard time slicing the beef, you can freeze it for a few minutes. After about 30 minutes in the freezer, it should firm up and be easier to slice.
I prefer fresh broccoli because I like my broccoli on the crisper side. But you can use frozen broccoli in a pinch. For the last step, simply saute until the frozen broccoli is heated through, 3-4 minutes.
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT BEEF AND BROCCOLI
- PREP – Trim the beef and cut into thin strips. Rinse the broccoli and cut into bite sized pieces.
- SEAR – Select the sauté function on your Instant Pot and add the oil. When the oil is hot, brown the beef. I recommend browning it in two batches. It should take 5-10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- DEGLAZE – Add the 1 1/3 cups water and beef bouillon to the pot and use a metal spatula to scrape up all the brown bits on the bottom of the pot. This will prevent you from getting the “burn” message on the Instant Pot.
- SAUCE – Add the pepper, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Then add the browned beef and any juices on the plate.
- PRESSURE COOK – Secure the lid, and make sure the valve is set to seal. Set the Instant Pot to MANUAL/HIGH for 10 minutes. When the cooking is finished, do a quick release to let out the steam.
- THICKEN – Turn the Instapot to “Saute”. Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
Pour into the pot. - BROCCOLI – Add the broccoli and stir until well coated. Saute for 5-7 minutes, or until the broccoli is crisp tender and the sauce is thickened. (Oops, forgot to take a photo of this step.)
- SERVE – Serve hot over cooked rice. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired.
Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, let them cool, then transfer to airtight containers. I recommend storing the beef mixture and rice in separate containers. Leftovers will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
We like to reheat leftovers in the microwave. It takes longer for the rice to heat, so I usually heat it first, then add the sauce. I love using this microwave oven cover to prevent splatters!
BEEF & BROCCOLI VARIATIONS:
- You can use 1 1/3 cups of beef broth in place of the water and bouillon.
- Add a chopped onion when you brown the beef.
- Feel free to add any other vegetables. Mushrooms, bell peppers, carrots, or sugar snap peas would all be tasty.
- If you like things spicy, add more red pepper flakes, or even some cayenne pepper.
MORE INSTANT POT RECIPES:
- Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Spicy Chicken Instant Pot
- Beef Stew Instant Pot Recipe
- Honey Garlic Chicken Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Honey Glazed Ham
INSTANT POT BEEF AND BROCCOLI RECIPE
Instant Pot Broccoli Beef
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds flank steak
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 ⅓ cups water
- 2 tsp beef bouillon
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 6 Tbsp soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp freshly grated ginger
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 3 Tbsp cornstarch
- 3 Tbsp cold water
- 1 pound fresh broccoli florets
- ½ tsp sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- Trim the beef and cut it into thin strips. For more tender meat, cut across the grain. Wash and cut the broccoli into bite sized pieces.
- Tun your Instant Pot to "Saute" and add the oil. When hot, brown the strips of beef. It works best to brown it in two batches. Remove meat to a plate.
- Add the water and bouillon to the pot. Scrape up all the brown bits on the bottom of the pot.
- Stir in the pepper, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Add the beef and any juices on the plate.
- Add the lid, set the vent to "seal", and select "Manual/High" for 10 minutes on the Instant Pot. When the cooking is done, use quick release to let out the steam.
- Remove the lid and set the pot to "Saute" again. Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
- Add the cornstarch slurry and broccoli to the pot. Cook for 5-8 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Serve over hot cooked rice; garnish with sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Flank steak is often called London Broil. You can also use skirt steak, chuck roast, or sirloin steak.
- Sesame oil adds great authentic flavor to this dish, but if you don’t have it, it will still be delicious.
Nutrition
With this instant pot broccoli beef, you can say goodbye to long hours in the kitchen and hello to a satisfying meal that the whole family will love!
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Try WINE people.
We had this last night with rice, it was so delicious and easy to make. This recipe is definitely a keeper! Thank you so much for sharing how to make this wonderful dish.
You are so welcome Natasha; glad you loved it!
This is my new comfort food! This Instant Pot beef and broccoli is so easy and convenient. And it turned out so hearty, comfy and incredibly delicious!