This Easy Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli is a delicious stir-fry recipe that results in a tender, tasty, and no-fuss dinner. Ready in 30 minutes. SO much better than any takeout!
Easy Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Ready in a matter of minutes, this Easy Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli recipe pack quite a punch.
Beef and Broccoli really is my favorite Chinese dish! I always order it when we go to our favorite Chinese restaurant or when we order take out. But we do this very sporadically though, so I found a way to recreate this dish at home.
I have been making Beef and Broccoli for years in my wok. But to be honest, many times it turned out a bit hard and chewy.
Well, no more…thanks to the Instant Pot magic!!
If you know me at all, you’ll know that I LOVE my Instant Pot! It just makes my life easier.
So, there you have it, another easy Instant Pot dish, loaded with delicious Asian inspired flavors.
EASY INSTANT POT BEEF AND BROCCOLI INGREDIENTS
You’ll need:
For the sauce:
- Water
- Cornstarch
- Low sodium soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Chinese cooking wine Shaoxing wine
- Sesame oil
- Hoisin sauce (optional but highly recommended)
- Oyster sauce
For the stir fry:
- Round strips (see notes below)
- Vegetable oil
- Broccoli florets
- Garlic
- Fresh ginger
- Green onion
- Sesame seeds to garnish (optional)
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
THE BEST BEEF AND BROCCOLI SAUCE:
This sauce is just out-of-this-world delicious! There are many versions of stir fry sauce. In my opinion, some stir fry recipes have gone wrong with a poorly made sauce. So, I tested several ingredients combination until I arrived at the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
How to make beef and broccoli in the Instant Pot?
- Mix all the sauce ingredients in a jar o bowl.
- Add 1/4 cup of the sauce to the sliced beef; mix to combine. Marinade for 15 – 30 min.
- Sauté the broccoli florets for 3 – 5 minutes. Reserve in a plate for later.
- Sauté garlic and ginger. Then add the meat (in batches) and brown.
- When the meat is brown, add the remaining sauce; mix to combine. Secure the lid to the instant pot and select “meat”, adjust the time to 15 minutes.
- When the time is over, let the pressure release on its own for 5 minutes. Then, carefully turn the vent to “Venting,” to release any extra pressure that might still be in there. Then remove the lid.
- Add the sauté broccoli to pot and toss to coat. Season with salt, if needed.
- Garnish green onion slices and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve immediately over rice or steamed vegetables.
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What Kind of Meat Should I Use to Make Beef & Broccoli?
You can use top round, skirt, sirloin, or flank. Make sure you cut the meat thinly across the grain.
How Do I Sauté Beef in The Instant Pot?
Browning meat in the Instant Pot can be tricky. The trick to brown meat in the Instant Pot is to do it in small batches and not turning until they have formed a crust on the bottom, or they will stick.
Can Beef and Broccoli Be Made in the Slow Cooker?
Yes, you can! Read detailed instructions on the recipe card.
What is the Chinese sauce for stir fry made of?
There are many versions of stir fry sauce. For my perfectly balanced stir fry sauce, you’ll need water, cornstarch, low sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine), sesame oil, hoisin sauce (optional but highly recommended), and oyster sauce.
WHAT DO I SERVE WITH BEEF AND BROCCOLI?
Serve your beef and broccoli over rice, noodles, or quinoa. If you’re watching your carbs, you can also use cauliflower rice.
STORING
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
FREEZING:
- Let the beef and broccoli cool completely.
- Place it in a large plastic bag or freezer container.
- Freeze for up to 1 – 2 months.
Ready to eat? Thaw in the refrigerator. Then heat over medium-low heat in a skillet or saucepan.
It will be hard to find a more mouthwatering and no-fuss weeknight meal than this Easy Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli.
Looking for more Instant Pot recipes?
- Easy Instant Pot Arroz con Pollo
- Easy Instant Pot Stroganoff Meatballs
- Instant Pot Drunken Beans
- Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs
- Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork
- More recipes…
Easy Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 2/3 cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Chinese cooking wine - Shaoxing wine (see notes)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (optional but highly recommended)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper or red pepper (cayenne) (see notes)
Stir-fry:
- 2 lb round strips (see notes)
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, separated
- 4 cups broccoli florets (see notes)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup green onion, sliced (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds to garnish (optional)
Instructions
PRESSURE COOKER INSTRUCTIONS:
Make the sauce:
- Mix all the sauce ingredients in a jar o bowl.
- Place meat in a big bowl and add ¼ cup of sauce. Mix to combine. Let it marinate for 15 to 30 minutes, or longer if you have the time. The more marinating, the more tender and flavorful the meat will be.
Make the Stir Fry:
- Turn the Instant Pot on and select "saute" mode, adjust heat to less. When hot, add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add broccoli florets and saute for 3 - 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until they are vibrant in color and just tender. Remove from Instant Pot and reserve. Turn off the Instant Pot. Note: You can also steam or pan fry the broccoli on the stove, if desired.
- Turn the Instant Pot on again and select "saute" mode, adjust heat to more. Add 2 tablespoons of oil. When hot, add garlic and ginger and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, or until fragrant. Add the meat (in batches) and brown. Note: You can skip the browning process, but it really adds more flavors to the dish. You can also brown the meat over the stove, if desired.
- When the meat is brown, add the remaining sauce; mix to combine. Secure the lid to the instant pot and select "meat", adjust the time to 15 minutes.
- When the time is over, let the pressure release on its own for 5 minutes. Then, carefully turn the vent to "Venting," to release any extra pressure that might still be in there. Then remove the lid.
- Add broccoli to pot and toss to coat. Season with salt, if needed.
- Garnish green onion slices and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve immediately over rice or steamed vegetables.
SLOW COOKER INSTRUCTIONS:
- Add and mix all the sauce ingredients but the water and cornstarch to your slow cooker.
- Add sliced beef; mix to combine.
- Cover and cook on low until beef is tender and cooked through, about 4 hours.
- When the beef is tender, spoon a few tablespoons of the slow-cooker broth into a bowl and whisk with cornstarch. Pour into the slow cooker and toss with the beef until combined. Add broccoli and cook, covered, 20 - 30 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Garnish green onion slices and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve immediately over rice or steamed vegetables.
Video
- Easy Instant Pot Arroz con Pollo
- Easy Instant Pot Stroganoff Meatballs
- Instant Pot Drunken Beans
- Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs
- Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork
- More recipes...
Nutrition
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Originally posted January 2018, post content edited to add more helpful information, no change to the recipe, in September 2020.