Name: Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 lemon, sliced; 1/2 cup chicken broth or water; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; Salt and pepper to taste

Jump to Recipe

Tender slices of seasoned beef, crisp-tender broccoli florets and a glossy soy-garlic sauce come together in record time thanks to the pressure cooker. The dish delivers the comforting flavour of a classic Chinese-American take-out favourite while slashing the stovetop work to minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Weeknight-fast – from sauté to serving in about half an hour, most of it hands-off.
Take-out taste at home – a balanced sweet-salty sauce rivals your favourite restaurant.
Flexible protein cuts – works with chuck, flank, skirt or even leftover steak.
Freezer-friendly – sauce and beef reheat beautifully for future meals.
Family-approved vegetables – pressure cooking keeps broccoli vivid while retaining nutrients.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 ½ lb beef chuck roast or flank steak, sliced thin
1 Tbsp canola oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
¾ cup beef broth
½ cup soy sauce (regular or reduced-sodium)
⅓ cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
1 lb broccoli, cut into bite-size florets
3 Tbsp water
3 Tbsp cornstarch

Directions

Select Sauté on the Instant Pot, add oil and brown the beef in batches.
Stir in broth, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar and sesame oil; de-glaze, dissolving the sugar.
Lock the lid, set valve to Sealing and pressure-cook on High for 10 minutes.
Perform a quick pressure release. Whisk water and cornstarch; stir into the pot on Sauté until the sauce thickens.
Add broccoli, close (no pressure) and cook 3 minutes for fresh or 5 minutes for frozen florets.
Taste, adjust seasoning and serve hot over rice, garnished with sesame seeds if desired.

Servings and Timing

Yield	Prep Time	Pressure Time*	Finish Time	Total Time
4 portions	10 min	10 min (plus ~5 min build-up)	5 min	~25 min

*Pressure time excludes the few minutes the cooker needs to reach pressure.

Variations

Chicken & Broccoli: Substitute cubed chicken breast or thigh; reduce pressure time to 3 minutes and swap chicken broth for beef broth.
Low-carb/Keto: Replace brown sugar with an equal volume of allulose or erythritol; use tamari for gluten-free.
Vegetable boost: Add sliced mushrooms or bell peppers with the broccoli for additional colour and fibre.

Storage/Reheating

Cool leftovers promptly. Store beef and sauce separately from broccoli when possible.

Refrigerator: Up to 3 days in airtight containers.
Freezer: Beef and sauce freeze well for 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating: Warm beef and sauce together on the stove or in the microwave until 165 °F / 74 °C. Add broccoli during the last minute to avoid over-softening.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli?

Yes. Increase the sauté-step cook to 5 minutes so the florets heat through without becoming mushy.

Do I have to brown the meat first?

Browning builds flavour, but you may skip it when rushed; the sauce will still be tasty, though slightly less complex.

What cut of beef works best?

Well-marbled chuck delivers tenderness after pressure cooking, but flank or skirt steak are leaner options that also succeed.

Is sesame oil essential?

It is highly recommended for depth of flavour; omitting it is safe but will yield a milder result.

How can I thicken the sauce without cornstarch?

Arrowroot powder (same ratio) or a ½-Tbsp xanthan-gum slurry will thicken while keeping the dish gluten-free.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes—ensure the beef and liquid stay below the Instant Pot’s “Max Fill” line and add one extra minute of pressure time for large batches.

Why did my meat turn out tough?

Slices that are too thick or an interrupted quick release can reduce tenderness. Slice against the grain and follow the immediate release instructions.

How do I keep broccoli vivid green?

Use fresh florets, sauté only until crisp-tender, and plunge briefly under cold water if preparing in advance.

May I cook the broccoli under pressure?

Yes—steam on a trivet with 1 cup water for 0 minutes at High Pressure, quick-release, then add to the finished dish.

What side dishes pair well?

Steamed jasmine rice, cauliflower rice for low-carb, or lo-mein noodles complement the savoury sauce and soak up extra gravy.

Conclusion

Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli transforms a beloved take-out staple into an efficient, one-pot dinner. Tender beef, vibrant vegetables and a balanced soy-garlic glaze are on the table in under half an hour—perfect for rapid weeknight satisfaction and effortless meal-prep versatility.