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Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli dish served in a bowl with rice and vegetables

Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli

A quick and easy Instant Pot recipe for beef and broccoli featuring tender beef slices and a delicious sweet-salty sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1.5 lb chuck roast or flank steak, sliced into thin strips Freeze for 20–30 minutes beforehand for easier slicing.
  • 1 tbsp canola oil Or neutral oil with high smoke point.
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce Use low-sodium if preferred.
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar Coconut sugar or maple syrup can replace it.
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 lb broccoli, cut into florets
  • 3 tbsp water
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and add the canola oil. Heat until shimmering but not smoking.
  2. Brown the meat in batches, removing each batch to a plate after searing. Don't overcrowd the pot.
Cooking
  1. Pour in beef broth and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to deglaze.
  2. Stir in minced garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
  3. Return all beef to the pot, secure the lid, and set Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (High) for 10 minutes.
  4. When the timer finishes, perform a quick pressure release.
  5. Mix the water with cornstarch to make a slurry and stir it into the pot.
  6. Switch to Sauté, and let the sauce bubble until it thickens and becomes glossy.
  7. Add the broccoli and sauté for 3–5 minutes, stirring, until bright green and crisp-tender.
  8. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles, spooning plenty of sauce over top.

Notes

For best results, don’t skip browning the meat; it builds flavor. Adjust sauce thickness with additional broth if necessary. Add fresh or lightly steamed broccoli when reheating if you've frozen leftovers.