Instant Pot Beef & Broccoli
If your whole family loves Chinese takeout, this easy recipe is about to become your new favorite dinner. This Keto Beef and Broccoli Instant Pot recipe has tender beef, a rich savory sauce, and perfectly cooked broccoli with minimal effort. It tastes like something from your favorite Chinese restaurant, but it’s made right at home in the pressure cooker with simple ingredients from your local grocery store.
This instant pot beef and broccoli recipe is perfect for busy weeknights because the pressure cooking does most of the work for you. Serve it over fluffy white rice for a classic comfort meal, or keep it low carb with cauliflower rice for a delicious keto beef dinner.
Whether it’s your first time making broccoli stir-fry in the Instant Pot or your second time experimenting with Asian flavors at home, this amazing recipe delivers a lot of flavor with very little work.
Why You’ll Love This Beef and Broccoli Recipe
- Easy recipe made in one pot
- Packed with savory sauce and tender beef
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Great alternative to Chinese takeout
- Includes keto options and low carb swaps
- Uses frozen broccoli for convenience
- Family-friendly broccoli dish everyone loves
This instant pot version gives you all the flavor of traditional recipes without standing over a cast iron skillet or wok on medium-high heat.
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Tips for the Best Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
- Slice the Beef Thin– Thin slices cook faster and absorb more of the savory sauce.
- Don’t Skip the Broccoli Step– Cooking the broccoli separately at 0 minutes prevents mushy broccoli and takes this broccoli dish to a whole new level.
- Use Enough Liquid– The beef broth and soy sauce provide enough liquid for proper pressure cooking.
- Adjust the Sweetness– If you want less sodium and sugar, use low sodium soy sauce and reduce the brown sugar slightly. (Keto Substitutions below!)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Frozen broccoli is what I use in this recipe and it works perfectly in the instant pot.
Absolutely. Fresh broccoli gives the dish a slightly firmer texture and fresh flavor!
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Yes, but the broccoli texture may soften slightly after freezing.
The original version is not fully keto because of the brown sugar and corn starch. However, the keto option modifications make it a great low carb keto dinner.
Ingredients
For the Beef and Sauce
- 2 pounds steak, sliced into strips
- 24 ounces frozen broccoli
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger
- Red pepper chili flakes for a little heat
- Green onions for garnish
Best Cut of Beef to Use
You can use several different cuts of beef for this broccoli stir fry recipe. I used ribeye steaks but the following work just as well!
- Flank steak
- Sirloin steak
- Skirt steak
- Flat iron steak
- Stew meat
- Boneless beef chuck roast
Flank steak is one of the most popular options because it becomes incredibly tender during pressure cooking. Sirloin steak is another excellent recipe choice if you want leaner meat.
How to Make Beef and Broccoli in the Instant Pot
Step 1: Sauté the Beef
Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté Mode and allow it to heat for a couple of minutes. Add a drizzle of olive oil or avocado oil to the bottom of the pot.
Once the pot is hot, add the sliced steak and onions. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef begins to brown and the onions soften slightly. The beef does not need to be fully cooked at this stage since it will continue pressure cooking.
Step 2: Add the Sauce Ingredients
Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the beef broth and soy sauce, then stir in the brown sugar. If using, add the sesame oil, fresh ginger, or red pepper chili flakes for extra flavor.
Use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the Instant Pot. This helps prevent the burn notice while adding even more flavor to the savory sauce.
Step 3: Pressure Cook
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is set to Sealing.
Set the pressure cooker to High Pressure for 12 minutes.
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully perform a quick release by turning the valve to venting. Allow the pressure to fully release before opening the lid.
The beef should be incredibly tender and coated in the rich sauce.
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce
Turn the Instant Pot back to Sauté Mode.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the corn starch and cold water until completely smooth to create a cornstarch slurry.
Slowly pour the slurry into the hot sauce while stirring continuously. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, continue simmering for another minute while stirring frequently.
Step 5: Add the Broccoli
Add the frozen broccoli florets to the Instant Pot and gently stir them into the sauce so they are evenly coated.
Place the lid back onto the pressure cooker and set it to High Pressure for 0 minutes. The residual heat will quickly steam the broccoli without overcooking it.
Once the Instant Pot reaches pressure, immediately perform another quick release.
Carefully remove the lid and give everything a gentle stir. The broccoli should be bright green and tender with just a slight bite.
Step 6: Serve
- Serve the beef and broccoli hot over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a low carb option.
- Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or extra red pepper flakes if desired.
What to Serve with Beef and Broccoli
This delicious meal pairs perfectly with:
- White rice
- Brown rice
- Cauliflower rice
- Stir fry vegetables
- Egg rolls
- Asian cucumber salad
For keto options, cauliflower rice is the best way to keep this beef dish low carb while still making it filling.
Variations
- Make It Spicy- Add red pepper chili flakes or sriracha for a little heat.
- Use Chicken Instead- Swap the beef for chicken and use chicken broth for a tasty variation.
- Add More Vegetables- Bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms work great in this broccoli stir fry recipe.
- Slow Cooker Recipe Option- You can also turn this into a slow cooker recipe by cooking everything except the broccoli on low for 6–8 hours.
More Instant Pot Recipes to Try ♡
Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe♡
Beef and Broccoli Instant Pot Recipe with Keto Option
Ingredients
For the Beef and Sauce
- 2 pounds steak sliced into thin strips
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup beef broth (chicken broth works too)
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 24 ounces frozen broccoli florets
Optional Flavor Additions
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper chili flakes
- Green onions for garnish
Keto Substitutions
- Replace brown sugar with keto brown sugar substitute
- Use coconut aminos or low sodium soy sauce
- Replace cornstarch slurry with 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
- Serve over cauliflower rice
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Beef
- Slice the steak into thin bite-sized strips against the grain for the most tender texture. If desired, lightly season the beef with black pepper.
- Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté Mode and allow it to heat for a couple of minutes. Add a drizzle of olive oil or avocado oil to the bottom of the pot.
- Once the pot is hot, add the sliced steak and onions. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef begins to brown and the onions soften slightly. The beef does not need to be fully cooked at this stage since it will continue pressure cooking.
Step 2: Build the Sauce
- Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the beef broth and soy sauce, then stir in the brown sugar. If using, add the sesame oil, fresh ginger, or red pepper chili flakes for extra flavor.
- Use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the Instant Pot. This helps prevent the burn notice while adding even more flavor to the savory sauce.
Step 3: Pressure Cook the Beef
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is set to Sealing.
- Set the pressure cooker to High Pressure for 12 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is complete, carefully perform a quick release by turning the valve to venting. Allow the pressure to fully release before opening the lid.
- The beef should be incredibly tender and coated in the rich sauce.
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce
- Turn the Instant Pot back to Sauté Mode.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the corn starch and cold water until completely smooth to create a cornstarch slurry.
- Slowly pour the slurry into the hot sauce while stirring continuously. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, continue simmering for another minute while stirring frequently.
Step 5: Cook the Broccoli
- Add the frozen broccoli florets to the Instant Pot and gently stir them into the sauce so they are evenly coated.
- Place the lid back onto the pressure cooker and set it to High Pressure for 0 minutes. The residual heat will quickly steam the broccoli without overcooking it.
- Once the Instant Pot reaches pressure, immediately perform another quick release.
- Carefully remove the lid and give everything a gentle stir. The broccoli should be bright green and tender with just a slight bite.
Step 6: Serve
- Serve the beef and broccoli hot over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a low carb option.
- Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or extra red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Flank steak, sirloin steak, skirt steak, or stew meat all work well in this recipe.
- Frozen broccoli is convenient, but fresh broccoli florets can also be used.
- For less sodium, use low sodium soy sauce.
- To make this recipe keto friendly, replace the brown sugar and cornstarch with keto-approved alternatives.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
This Beef and Broccoli Instant Pot Recipe with Keto Option is one of those easy dinners you’ll want to make again and again. It combines tender beef, broccoli, and a rich savory sauce into a comforting meal that tastes just like Chinese food from your favorite restaurant.
It’s the perfect minute meal for busy weeknights, and the instant pot version makes traditional stir fry recipes feel almost effortless. Next time you’re craving Chinese beef and broccoli, skip the takeout and make this homemade version instead.
