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This Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli is quick, comforting, and packed with flavor! It’s a family favorite that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in under 30 minutes, it feels like a takeout treat without leaving home!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
This Beef and Broccoli dish combines the ease of modern kitchen tools with classic flavors you’ll want to make again and again. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, it’s designed to be as convenient as it is delicious.
- Customizable: Perfect for adapting to your family’s preferences or dietary needs.
- Speedy Prep and Cook Time: The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting, meaning you can have a delicious meal on the table in record time.
- Healthier Than Takeout: Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, this beef and broccoli dish skips the extra sodium and added sugars often found in takeout versions.
- One-Pot Meal: Minimal cleanup makes this recipe a dream for busy nights.
- Customizable: Perfect for adapting to your family’s preferences or dietary needs.
If you love this dish, you might also enjoy this One-Pot Beef Broccoli Rice Cooker Meal, Instant Pot Peanut Chicken, or this Healthy Orange Chicken—both offer that classic Asian takeout vibe with a healthy twist!
And if you want to make meal prep even easier, having a batch of Instant Pot shredded chicken on hand is a great way to quickly add protein to many of these dishes.
For more tasty beef recipes perfect for little ones, explore my collection of beef recipes for babies!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
I am highlighting just the ones that need further explanation. The complete list is in the recipe card below.
- Beef – Choose lean cuts like sirloin or flank steak. Slice thinly, against the grain for tender, easy-to-chew bites.
- Beef Broth – Use no-salt added or low-sodium broth. It will add extra flavor to the dish without overpowering it.
- Ginger – Bright and zesty, ginger is a key flavor in this dish.
- Soy Sauce – Use low-sodium to control salt levels. It provides the main seasoning and balances the umami flavor, with room to adjust based on your taste.
- Honey (or Maple Syrup) – A natural sweetener that complements the soy sauce and ginger.
- Rice Vinegar – Adds a slight tang that brightens the sauce.
- Sesame Oil – Brings an authentic Asian-inspired flavor.
- Cornstarch + Water – Thickens the sauce to a luscious consistency.
Substitutions and Variations
- Protein – Swap out the beef for chicken or pork.
- Gluten-free? Use coconut aminos or tamari instead of soy sauce and confirm other ingredients are gluten-free.
- No Cornstarch? Use arrowroot powder or tapioca starch as a substitute.
- Vegetables – Feel free to use any vegetables you have on hand—cauliflower, green beans, snow peas, frozen mixed vegetables, or carrots all work beautifully.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add the oil. Add the sliced beef to the pot and sauté for 2–3 minutes until lightly browned. You don’t need to cook it all the way through. add garlic and ginger and saute for 30 seconds until fragrant. Turn off Sauté mode.
Step 2: Stir in beef broth, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir to combine, making sure the beef is coated in the sauce. Cook on High pressure for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Turn back to Sauté mode. Add the cornstarch slurry to the pot and stir. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until it thickens.
Step 4: Add the broccoli, cover and let it steam in the sauce for 3-5 minutes until tender.
Recipe Tips
- Use flank steak or sirloin for best results. Slice thinly against the grain to ensure the beef is tender and easy to chew.
- I like to use no-salt-added broth, but if you’re using regular or low-sodium broth, I recommend reducing the amount of soy sauce
- You can also use frozen broccoli. There’s no need to thaw. Add straight to the Instant Pot and cook for 5 minutes or so, until tender.
Serving Suggestions
Wondering how to make the most of this flavorful dish? Here are some ideas to round out your meal and suit your preferences.
- With Rice – Serve over steamed jasmine or brown rice for a classic pairing.
- With Noodles – Toss with cooked lo mein or soba noodles for a fun twist.
- Low-Carb Option – Spoon over cauliflower rice or enjoy on its own.
- Lettuce Wraps – Scoop into large lettuce leaves for a fresh and crunchy option.
- Asian-Inspired Salad – Serve over a bed of mixed greens with a drizzle of sesame dressing for a lighter option.
- Meal Prep-Friendly – Portion into containers with rice and a side of fresh veggies for easy grab-and-go lunches.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through.
FAQ
Yes! Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the sauce for a kick.
A 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger can be substituted if you don’t have fresh, but the flavor won’t be as vibrant.
Absolutely! You can either substitute or use any vegetables you have on hand—cauliflower, green beans, snow peas, frozen mixed vegetables, or carrots all work well.
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds sirloin steak, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 cup beef broth, low-sodium or no salt added
- 3-4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (combine with 1 tablespoon of water)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
For garnish
- sesame seeds, green onions
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add the oil. Add the sliced beef to the pot and sauté for 2–3 minutes until lightly browned. You don’t need to cook it all the way through. add garlic and ginger and saute for 30 seconds until fragrant. Turn off Sauté mode.
- Stir in beef broth, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir to combine, ensuring the beef is coated in the sauce.
- Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes. Once the timer goes off, quick release the pressure manually.
- Turn the Instant Pot back to Sauté mode. Add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) to the pot and stir. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until it thickens.
- Add the broccoli, cover and let it steam in the sauce for 3-5 minutes until tender.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Notes
- Use flank steak or sirloin for best results. Slice thinly against the grain to ensure the beef is tender and easy to chew.
- I like to use no-salt-added broth, but if you’re using regular or low-sodium broth, I recommend reducing the amount of soy sauce
- You can also use frozen broccoli. There’s no need to thaw. Add straight to the Instant Pot and cook for 5 minutes or so, until tender.
Excellent! Super tender beef. Yummy flavor. And very easy/low fuss. Thanks!
Delicious and so easy to make! Thank you for the recipe!
So happy to hear that! You’re welcome!
I make this recipe almost once a week and it’s such a win. Toddler approved, simple, healthy, fast – you really couldn’t ask for more from a recipe. Thank you for sharing!!
Amazing!!! Thank you for taking the time to share this, it truly means a lot Christin!
This was so good! It’s going in the rotation! I love how the broccoli steams up right in the pot. Once the meat is cut up this dish comes together SO fast. The meat was fall-apart tender. Even my picky 3 year old said he liked it. I used low-sodium beef broth and opted for maple syrup over honey. Everything else I followed as written. I didn’t even need to add salt for flavor. It is perfect as is and I’ll definitely be making this again.
This was absolutely DELICIOUS! So easy and flavorful. Even my 4 yr old liked it and asked for seconds.
Question, how or could I freeze this? I’m cooking for a friend who just had a baby so wanted to make her some freezer meals. I would assume just place the beef and broccoli in a freezer safe container. But wanted to see if you had any better tips? Thank you.
SO happy to hear that you enjoyed this! And I’m sorry for the late response. Just seeing this! Yes, once cooled completely I would transfer to a freezer safe bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months!
Loved recipe with beef! Thanks for sharing. Want to try with chicken too- if using chicken should I use chicken broth?
Yup you can!
Absolutely INCREDIBLE recipe, so so easy, and super yummy! Toddler couldn’t get enough, nor my 6 month pregnant self! Husbands fave food is Korean & he said this was ridiculously delicious! Thank you!!!
This makes me SO happy to hear! Thanks for sharing it’s so encouraging!
Excited to try this recipe tonight, but wondering how much broccoli you recommend to add? I don’t see the amount listed
So sorry! Thank you for bringing this to my attention! 2 cups! but honestly you can add more or less
Delicious! Meat came out very tender. Big hit! Felt like we ordered from a restaurant
Yay!! So glad to hear this was a hit!