Looking for a quick and delicious dinner? This Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli recipe is just what you need! It combines tender slices of beef, perfectly cooked broccoli, and a savory, flavorful sauce, all ready in no time thanks to the Instant Pot. You get a restaurant-quality dish right at home with your favorite pressure cooker.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Simple: Using the Instant Pot cuts down cooking time, so you can have dinner on the table in under an hour!
- Better Than Takeout: Packed with flavor, this homemade version beats takeout any day, and you control the ingredients so you can make it just how you like.
- Tender and Flavorful: The beef comes out melt-in-your-mouth tender, with the perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet sauce that coats every bite.
- Family-Friendly: Super ideal for family meal!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Flank Steak (1.5 lbs.): Thinly sliced for tender beef bites.
- Broccoli (6 cups): Fresh florets that cook quickly.
- Avocado Oil & Sesame Oil: For sautéing and flavor.
- Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar & Rice Vinegar: The base for a savory-sweet sauce.
- Garlic & Ginger: Classic aromatics for depth of flavor.
- Chili Paste: Adjust to taste for heat (1-3 tsp)
- Low Sodium Beef Broth: Adds moisture and richness.
- Cornstarch/Arrowroot: To thicken the sauce.
- Scallions & Sesame Seeds: For a fresh, crunchy garnish.
Why Use Both Sesame Oil and Avocado Oil?
In this recipe, avocado oil is used for sautéing due to its high smoke point, which makes it perfect for quickly cooking the broccoli without burning. Sesame oil, on the other hand, is a key flavor component in Asian cuisine. It adds a rich, nutty depth to the sauce that’s essential for authentic flavor.
Best Beef for Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli?
Flank steak is the top choice. It’s lean, tender, and becomes melt-in-your-mouth soft when cooked under pressure. Make sure to slice it thinly against the grain to ensure the best texture. If you can’t find flank steak, sirloin or skirt steak are great alternatives that also work well with the quick cooking time in the Instant Pot.
How to Cook the Perfect Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
Sauté the Broccoli First
While the broccoli won’t be pressure cooked, it does start in the Instant Pot. Add avocado oil and set the pot to “Sauté” mode. Once the oil is hot, toss in the broccoli and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, just until it turns bright green. The goal isn’t to cook it through yet—just to give it a quick sear. Remove the broccoli and set it aside; it will finish cooking later.
Cook the Beef in a Savory Sauce
Next, it’s time to pressure cook the beef. Cut the flank steak into ¾-inch thick strips and add them to the Instant Pot along with a simple, flavorful sauce made from soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Once everything’s combined, pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. After cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before using the quick release.
Thicken the Sauce and Finish the Dish
After the pressure cooking is done, remove the steak and set it aside. To thicken the sauce, make a cornstarch slurry by mixing 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 4 tablespoons of cold water. Whisk the slurry into the sauce while setting the Instant Pot back to “Sauté” mode. Add the broccoli and let everything simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the broccoli to finish cooking.
Finally, return the steak to the pot, stir to coat everything in the sauce, and let it simmer for another couple of minutes before serving.
Serving
This Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli is best served over a bed of fluffy white rice or jasmine rice. Garnish the dish with freshly sliced scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch. You can also add a drizzle of sriracha or extra chili paste for a little extra heat!
Storage and Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through, or reheat on the stovetop over medium heat. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water to loosen it up.
PrintRecipe
Best Damn Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
Description
Tender slices of flank steak and crisp broccoli are cooked in a savory sauce, all in the convenience of your Instant Pot. This flavorful dish is quick, easy to prepare, and perfect for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 ½ tablespoons avocado oil
- 6 cups broccoli florets (about 1 lb.)
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 ½ tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 ½ tablespoons grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon chili paste (more for spicier)
- ⅔ cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 4 scallions, sliced
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
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Prep the Steak: Slice the flank steak against the grain into ¾-inch thick pieces. Set aside.
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Sauté the Broccoli: Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and heat the avocado oil. When hot, add the broccoli florets and a pinch of salt. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes, just enough to slightly soften the broccoli. Press “Cancel,” remove the broccoli, and set it aside.
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Make the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and chili paste (start with 1-3 teaspoons, adjust to taste).
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Cook the Beef: Add the sliced steak to the Instant Pot and pour the sauce mixture over the top. Pour in the beef broth, ensuring the steak is mostly covered with liquid. Secure lid, set the vent to “Sealing,” and select “Pressure Cook” on high for 10 minutes.
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Release Pressure: Once the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully flip the vent to release any remaining steam. Remove the steak and set it aside.
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Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with cool water to make a slurry. Set the Instant Pot back to “Sauté” mode, add the slurry to the sauce, and whisk for about 30 seconds until it thickens.
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Finish the Dish: Return the broccoli to the pot and sauté for 3-5 minutes until cooked to your desired doneness. Stir the steak back into the sauce until everything is coated.
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Serve: Plate the beef and broccoli, garnish with sliced scallions and sesame seeds, and serve with your favorite cooked rice.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Asian
Tyler R says
Made a double batch the first time around. We all loved it! This is now a future family favorite!! Thanks
RecipeTeacher says
I’m so sorry this one didn’t work out for you! The substitution absolutely could have been the issue.
Judy says
This is a great recipe! I’ll be making this again, and often. I added a green pepper because I had to use it up. Very good flavour! love your Instant Pot recipes!
Susan says
Delicious!! I made this tonight and my husband and I devoured it! I thought I had canned beef broth but I didn’t so I swapped in chicken broth. Also used Siracusa instead of the chili paste since we had it on hand. This will be a winter staple at our house!