COLORFUL
When it comes to a fast and flavorful weeknight dinner that tastes just like you picked it up from your favorite Chinese restaurant, this Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli is the best. Top with some sesame seeds, and you’ll be literally cleaning the bowl, ready for more!
BETTER THAN TAKE OUT INSTANT POT BEEF AND BROCCOLI
Is there anything worse than buying something at a restaurant and just knowing that you could make it better yourself? Since you’re able to control all the ingredients in this pressure cooker beef and broccoli, you can rest easy knowing that it’s gonna be good.
TRY SOME OF MY OTHER EASY INSTANT POT RECIPES:
I’ll happily tell you that the Instant Pot is one of my favorite kitchen appliances. I not only gained so much time back in my life because of how fast it cookes, but also because there are hardly any dishes to clean after!
If you LOVE easy to make dinners much as I do, you may want to check out a few of my other favorite meals: Instant Pot Meatloaf, Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup, Instant Pot Pork Roast
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- The entire delicious recipe takes less than an hour to make!
- Cooking in the Instant Pot creates minimal work for clean-up! (which means more time for dessert or putting your feet up!)
- It’s a delicious and flavorful way to get some vegetables squeezed into those busy weeknights!
- This broccoli and beef dish is low in carbs while not compromising on flavor at all!
INGREDIENTS USED
- Beef chuck roast
- Olive oil
- Pepper
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Brown sugar
- Sesame oil
- Ginger
- Red pepper flakes
- Garlic cloves
- Beef broth
- Corn starch
- Water
- Fresh Broccoli florets
- Chopped green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
*see recipe card for detailed measurements
KITCHEN SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED
- Instant Pot
- Cutting board/sharp knife
HOW TO MAKE EASY INSTANT POT BEEF AND BROCCOLI
Step 1: Season the beef with pepper and cut it into thin strips. (Cut against the grain for tender meat)
Step 2: Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot and turn to saute. Once the oil has become hot, add the beef and brown. This should take up to 10 minutes.
Step 3: Pour the beef broth into the pot after the beef strips have cooked. Scrape the cooked bits off the bottom of the pot to get that flavor into the recipe!
Step 4: Make and add the sauce and stir. In a medium sized bowl, stir together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, red pepper flakes, and garlic and add to the Instant Pot. Then turn off the saute function.
Step 5: Seal the Instant Pot and cook for 10 minutes on high pressure. Once done, use the quick release.
Step 6: Make a homemade cornstarch slurry by mixing the water and cornstarch in a bowl. Add it to the Instant Pot, turn on the saute function, and bring the slurry mixture to a boil.
Step 7: Add the chopped broccoli into the pot and stir, then put on the lid and let it boil for 3 minutes. Turn off the saute function and let the mixture rest for 5 minutes.
Step 8: Serve topped with sesame seeds and green onions, and enjoy!
HELPFUL TIPS & TRICKS
- Make sure that when you’re deglazing the Instant Pot (scraping off the bits on the bottom of the pot) that you use a wooden spoon for this. You don’t want to scrape up your trusty kitchen helper!
- If you’re “team sauce” and want more added, just double that part of the recipe and add more sauce.
- Feeding a crowd? No problem. You can double the entire recipe and it will STILL fit inside the Instant Pot and cook perfectly.
SUBSTITUTIONS AND VARIATIONS
- Use low sodium broth – Beef broth is great but can be super high in sodium. Low sodium broth works just as well so feel free to swap it out.
- Worried that the beef is going to be chewy? Simply cut the beef in thin strips going AGAINST the grain and it should be nice and tender.
- Garlic powder – Fresh garlic cloves or minced garlic is best, but you can easily use dried or powdered seasonings as well.
- Out of sesame oil? Just replace it with olive oil or even coconut oil. (The sesame oil adds a TON of great flavor but it doesn’t make or break the recipe.)
- If you are not a fan of oyster sauce or have a fish allergy, you can use hoisin sauce or teriyaki sauce instead.
STORAGE NOTES
This low carb Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli takes SO good leftover. Just add all the leftovers into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What other cuts of beef will work for beef and broccoli in the Instant Pot?
You have options and good ones! You could use a flank steak, skirt steak, London broil, flat iron steak, or sirloin steak if you like. Most cuts of meat will work as long as you use thin slices to get that tender beef texture.
What other vegetables can be added to this broccoli stir fry?
Add all the veggies that you want! Sliced onions, mushrooms, cut-up carrots, and even baby corn are just a few options that would add flavor and nutrients.
How do I toast sesame seeds?
Toasting them on the stove is the fastest method. Make sure to use a skillet without any oil and cook them over medium heat. You will need to stir them often so that they don’t burn. The cooking time is short and will just take a few minutes.
What sides go well with this broccoli beef recipe?
Pairing this easy pressure cooker beef with white rice or cauliflower rice adds a great texture. This tasty recipe would also be good with brown rice too.
Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli, but you will need to steam it ahead of time in the microwave. You’ll also have to be sure to drain out all the excess water before adding it to the Instant Pot.
Can leftover spicy beef and broccoli be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze broccoli and beef. Be sure to add it to a freezer-safe container or bag and label it, so you know what it is! It should be fine to be frozen for up to 2 months.
If you’ve made this recipe or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how they turned out. We love hearing from you! You can also follow along with me on FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM to see more colorful recipes!
EQUIPMENT
- Instant Pot
- Sharp knife
- Medium bowl
INGREDIENTS
- 11/2 lbs chuck roast, beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp pepper, to season
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth, low sodium if possible
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 cup broccoli florets
INSTRUCTIONS
- Season the beef with pepper and cut it into thin strips. (Cut against the grain for tender meat)
- Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot and turn to saute. Once the oil has become hot, add the beef and brown. This should take up to 10 minutes.
- Pour the beef broth into the pot after the beef strips have cooked. Scrape the cooked bits off the bottom of the pot to get that flavor into the recipe!
- In a medium sized bowl, stir together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, red pepper flakes, and garlic and add to the Instant Pot. Then turn off the saute function.
- Seal the Instant Pot and cook for 10 minutes on high pressure. Once done, use the quick release.
- Make a homemade cornstarch slurry by mixing the water and cornstarch in a bowl. Add it to the Instant Pot, turn on the saute function, and bring the slurry mixture to a boil.
- Add the chopped broccoli into the pot and stir, then put on the lid and let it boil for 3 minutes. Turn off the saute function and let the mixture rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve topped with sesame seeds and green onions, and enjoy!
NOTES
- Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Or you may freeze them for up to 2 months.
- I can’t find a chuck roast – what other cut of beef will work for this recipe? You could use a flank steak, london broil, flat iron or sirloin steak if you like.
- What side dish pairs with beef and broccoli? A great side dish with this is rice (white or brown). Or you could try noodles, quinoa, or cauliflower rice.
- Are there other veggies that would go well in this dish? Yes, try adding carrots cut into matchsticks, baby corns, sliced onions, or mushrooms.
- I don’t have any sesame oil – what else could I use? I love the flavor of sesame oil in this dish but it is very mild. You could use olive oil as a substitute.
- How can I toast sesame seeds? I find it easiest to do them on the stove. Add them to a dry (un-oiled) skillet and cook them over medium heat, stirring often, until they are golden brown. They can get dark quickly so watch them carefully. It will only take a few minutes.
- Could I make this with frozen, instead of fresh, broccoli? Yes, you will just want to steam or microwave the broccoli and drain before adding it to the instant pot.
Great recipe, easy to make!
I followed the recipe exactly, but i did add asparagus that had been sliced very thinly and at an angle. Delicious, and I threw it in with the broccoli and it had no problem cooking.
I did not add sesame seeds or green onion for the topping.
It was very saucy so i didn’t see a need to double the sauce.
You could very easily double this recipe in a 6 quart instapot!
Delicious and easy to follow recipe! You know it’s good when my (somewhat finicky) husband tells me to make it again 🙂
Wonderful recipe. Easy to follow instructions and eye popping photos. Thanks!
This was hands down AMAZING. I am not a huge beef/broccoli eater but I was intrigued. It was super easy and very tasty! You won’t be disappointed!
Family of 5 loved this!!! Not many meals I can say all love it!
Fresh ginger or ground?
I use ground because it’s easier to combine, IMO but you can absolutely use either! 🙂