Instant Pot Beef & Broccoli is a simple dinner idea with flavorful tender beef and crisp broccoli in a savory sauce.
» You might also like Instant Pot Oxtail Ragu or Easy Korean Beef Bulgogi
One of the easiest ways to make Beef & Broccoli is in the Instant Pot. It’s a one-pot solution to get dinner on the table quickly. One pot meals are perfect for weeknight cooking. Try this Instant Pot beef stew , Instant Pot chicken and broccoli or simple corned beef brisket.
The beef is cut into chunks and takes just 4 minutes to cook in the Instant Pot. The broth that forms in the pot as the beef cooks is then combined with a cornstarch slurry sauce to make a thick and tasty glaze for the dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Sirloin steak – Cubed
- Broccoli florets – They should be cut into bite size pieces.
- Cooking oil – For sautéing the broccoli
- Beef Broth – Forms a sauce in the pot as the steak cooks and then is combined with a cornstarch slurry sauce to make a thick and tasty glaze for the dish.
- Rice – Cooked rice for serving. Try this recipe for cooking rice in the Instant Pot.
- Sauce Ingredients – Soy sauce, chili oil, hoisin sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, sesame oil, Chinese cooking wine, and corn starch.
- Optional toppings – Red chili flakes, toasted sesame seeds, and green onions.
Why Use An Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. And there are many accessories that will help you get more out of your Instant Pot.
If you don’t have one yet, check out our guide on which one to buy. You can also check out our Instant Pot page for more information.
How to Make Beef & Broccoli in the Instant Pot
Start by cutting the beef and broccoli into chunks. They should be around the same size, which makes eating it more enjoyable. Large pieces of broccoli aren’t very fun to eat.
Mix up the sauce. Add 1 tbsp of the sauce to a bowl along with the beef. Stir it up and set it aside to marinate for a few minutes while you cook the broccoli.
I use the saute mode on the Instant Pot to cook the broccoli for 5 minutes. To do this, add cooking oil to the pot, pour in the broccoli florets and let them sizzle, stirring occasionally.
Once they’re done, remove them to a bowl and set aside. Turn off the Instant Pot. The broccoli will continue to steam while you cook the beef, so they’ll be the perfect tenderness.
You might be wondering why I didn’t use the pressure cook function to cook the broccoli. It just cooks too quickly. Even setting the Instant Pot to zero minutes (yes, this is possible!) is too much and will leave the broccoli mushy and overcooked.
If you’re using store-bought broccoli in a steamer bag, go ahead and steam the broccoli as the package suggests, instead of using the Instant Pot, if you want.
Next, add the beef and the beef broth to the pot. Close the lid and set the vent to sealing. Pressure cook on high for 4 minutes. Do a manual pressure release when done.
Add the broccoli back to the pot and turn on Saute mode again. Add the cornstarch to the remaining sauce you mixed up earlier and pour it into the pot. As it heats up, the sauce will start to bubble and thicken.
Let it bubble for about 3 minutes. Then it’s ready to serve. It’s great alongside some rice or noodles, but I often use cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
Here’s another of our recipes for Beef & Broccoli Noodles made on the stove top, in case you don’t have an Instant Pot, or don’t want to get it out.
Additional Tips
You can cook the beef from frozen, if you want. Just set the cook time to 5 minutes, instead of 4.
If you have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for a day or two. The broccoli really loses it’s luster after that and will be less appealing to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my broccoli soggy?
You don’t want to cook the broccoli under pressure. It cooks so quickly that even setting the Instant Pot to zero minutes is too much and will leave them mushy and overcooked. Sauté quickly and remove from the pot, then add it back at the end to get coated with sauce.
What does it mean to cook for zero minutes?
While the timer doesn’t start until the Instant Pot reaches full pressure, food starts cooking as soon as you push the “on” button. Just the heat from the steam is enough to cook them fully. For some foods, cooking for zero minutes is just perfect. In this recipe, we feel that even cooking for zero minutes overcooks the broccoli.
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Instant Pot Beef & Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 pound sirloin steak cubed
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1/2 cup beef broth
For the sauce
- 4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili oil (like Lee Kum Chiu Chow Chili Oil)
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon ginger, freshly grated
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon Chinese cooking wine (like mirin)
- 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2-3 cups cooked rice
Optional
- red chili flakes
- toasted sesame seeds
- green onion, sliced
Instructions
- Cut the beef and broccoli into bite sized pieces.
- Mix the sauce ingredients, except the cornstarch, in a small bowl. Add 1 tbsp of the sauce to the beef. Stir to coat and set aside to marinate.
- Set the Instant Pot to saute. Add the cooking oil. When hot, add the broccoli and saute, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Remove the broccoli from the pot. Cancel saute mode.
- Add the beef to the Instant Pot, along with 1/2 cup beef broth. Lock the lid and turn the vent to sealing. Using the pressure cook button, set the Instant Pot to 4 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add the cornstarch to the remaining sauce and stir it until smooth.
- When the time is up, do a manual release of pressure and remove the lid.
- Press saute mode again and add the broccoli back to the pot.
- Pour the sauce over the beef and broccoli. Stir well and allow the sauce to thicken for about 3 minutes. Turn off the Instant Pot. Serve over rice, if desired.
Equipment Needed
Nutrition
🥧 If you’re interested in more great recipes, I share all my favorite Instant Pot recipes over at A Pressure Cooker Kitchen, air fryer recipes at Air Fry Anytime, and cocktails and drinks at Savored Sips. Check it out today!
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Laura is a home cook who loves making new recipes and finding new favorite things to eat, whether at home or abroad. She also runs a popular travel blog and spends a lot of her time traveling for food.
That is such a simple and flavorful beef dish. Instant pot makes it so quick and easy. Perfect weeknight meal.
I was wondering if I could do beef and broccoli in the Instant Pot! I love your tip for cooking the broccoli quickly and then letting the beef cook in the pot!
I love Instant Pot recipes and this one was delicious!! Easier and tastier than take out! Thank you!
I have everything to make this dinner. I will be making it tonight for dinner. I can’t wait to grab my instant pot and start cooking.