Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli is a quick and easy replica of a favorite take-out dish! Made with tender beef, a savory brown sauce, and crisp tender broccoli, this recipe for Beef and Broccoli comes together using simple ingredients and in under 30 minutes, with the help of the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli served over white rice and topped with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

I love turning to my Instant Pot to make healthier versions of Chinese-American take-out dishes. From Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken to Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken to Instant Pot Mongolian Beef to this recipe for Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli, you can enjoy a wholesome, flavorful dinner with minimal effort.

And while Beef and Broccoli can be prepared quickly on the stove, there are a few advantages to using an electric pressure cooker to prepare this classic dish.

Reasons to Love Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli

Less Hands-On Time. When preparing Beef & Broccoli in the instant pot you don't need to constantly stir or monitor the dish as it cooks, as you do when prepared on the stove.
Money-Saver. The Instant Pot works wonders at tenderizing tougher cuts of meat, which means that you can use a less expensive cut of beef for this recipe. And who doesn't love saving money without sacrificing taste?
Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli simply tastes better! Cooking this dish under pressure allows the sauce to develop a richer, deeper flavor than when being prepared on the stovetop.
Amazing Brown Sauce. There is no shortage of the savory brown sauce that beef and broccoli is known for with this recipe! It is a little sweet, a little spicy, and super savory. Perfect for serving over Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or Instant Pot Brown Rice.
Quality Control. This recipe for Beef and Broccoli is made with simple, wholesome ingredients. It is much lower in sodium and fat than take-out and it is made without added preservatives or MSG.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients for beef and broccoli labeled on counter.

Beef: One advantage of preparing this dish in the Instant Pot, is that you can use a less expensive cut of beef. I typically opt for a sirloin steak cut into 1-inch strips or a package of beef stir-fry strips if they are on sale. Feel free to use flank steak, which is more traditional for Beef and Broccoli, but it is a bit pricier.
Broccoli: Use either fresh or frozen broccoli florets.
Soy Sauce: Be sure to use low-sodium soy sauce to control the sodium of the entire dish.
Ginger: It is essential to use freshly grated gingerroot, as opposed to using dried ground ginger which can quickly overwhelm a savory dish. My favorite tip for storing fresh ginger is to store it peeled in a freezer-safe bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Grate from frozen when needed.
Brown Sugar: The brown sugar will help to give the brown sauce its signature sweetness and balance out the saltiness and spice in the sauce.
Beef Broth: In order to cook the beef and broccoli in the Instant Pot, you need enough to prevent a burn notice. I find that using low-sodium beef broth compliments the sauce well and adds enough thin liquid to prevent a burn notice.
Red Pepper Flakes: A bit of crushed red pepper flakes adds a touch of heat to balance out the sauce.
Rice Wine Vinegar: This will help to balance the savory brown sauce and enhance the flavors.
Cornstarch: The cornstarch helps to thicken the sauce.

Recipe Modifications

Gluten-Free: Keep this Beef and Broccoli gluten-free, by replacing the soy sauce with Tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce.
Control the Spice: Feel free to increase or decrease the red pepper flakes based on your own preferences.
Sweetener: I prefer the caramel notes the brown sugar adds to this dish, but feel free to use honey in its place. You can also opt to increase or decrease the sweetener as desired.
Replace the Cornstarch: Feel free to use tapioca starch or arrowroot in place of the cornstarch.

How to Make Instant Pot Beef & Broccoli

While this is an incredibly simple recipe, if you are unfamiliar with cooking in an Instant Pot or the functions of your Instant Pot, be sure to start with How to Use an Instant Pot for the best results on this and future recipes. You will find the full recipe in detail in the recipe card below.

Prepare the Beef: If your beef is not sliced, I recommend popping it into the freezer for 10-15 minutes, as this will help make it easier to cut into thin slices. Remove the beef from the freezer and slice it into ¼-inch thick slices, going against the grain.
Prepare the Brown Sauce. Whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and crusted red pepper flakes together in a small bowl. Set this mixture aside to add to the inner pot after sautéing the beef.

Savory brown sauce for beef and broccoli in a small mixing bowl next to fresh broccoli.

Sauté the Beef. Taking a few extra minutes to sauté the beef, using the sauté function on the pressure cooker, will help to develop flavor and texture in the overall dish. Once the beef is nearly browned, add in the garlic and ginger and sauté briefly just to enhance the herbs without burning them.

Browned sirloin steak inside inner pot next to fresh broccoli.

Deglaze the Inner Pot. In order to prevent a burn notice, it is crucial to deglaze your inner pot after you sauté anything. To do this, simply add the beef broth and use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the inner pot. Pour the prepared sauce over the beef.

Wooden spoon scraping the bottom of the inner pot of a pressure cooker after adding the brown sauce and browning the beef.

Pressure Cook. This recipe for Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli only requires 10 minutes of cooking time. However, keep in mind you need to allow time for the Instant Pot to come to pressure and allow pressure to release naturally on its own for at least 10 minutes, as that will help keep the beef tender.
Steam Broccoli. You do not want to add fresh or frozen broccoli to your Instant Pot before pressure cooking the beef, as this will result in mushy, overcooked broccoli. You can add broccoli right to the inner pot after pressure cooking, while you thicken up the sauce. However, I find it is easier to steam the broccoli or blanch the broccoli in boiling water and fold in the cooked broccoli into the dish right before serving.
Thicken Sauce. After pressure cooking, turn the pressure cooker back to the sauté function and whisk in a cornstarch slurry into the beef and brown sauce. Let this mixture cook briefly just to thicken.

Beef and brown sauce inside inner pot after thickening.

Add Broccoli. Fold in the steamed broccoli into the sauce and if desired top with toasted sesame seeds and green onions.

Beef and broccoli with brown sauce topped with sesame seeds and green onions inside inner pot of pressure cooker.

Serving Suggestions

Beef and Broccoli is traditionally served over steamed rice to soak up the savory sauce and make the meal more filling. I recommend serving with cauliflower rice, Instant Pot Jasmine Rice, Instant Pot Brown Rice, or Instant Pot Quinoa. Start with an appetizer of Vegetable Egg Rolls or Spring Rolls and you have the ultimate homemade take-out menu!

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: Allow the beef and broccoli to cool and then transfer it to a an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Once fully cooled, transfer to a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheat: If needed, defrost the beef and broccoli overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat individual servings in a heat-safe bowl, covered with a damp paper towel in 30-second intervals in the microwave until warmed through. If needed, add a splash of water or beef broth to thin the sauce before reheating.

More Instant Pot Favorite Meals

Be sure to give this instant pot recipe a try the next time you are craving Beef and Broccoli and leave a review as well! I love to hear from you!

Comments

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