Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli: Your Ultimate Guide to a Quick, Flavorful Takeout-Style Dinner

Imagine tender, succulent flank steak paired with vibrant, perfectly cooked broccoli florets, all coated in a rich, savory sauce that bursts with authentic Asian-inspired flavors. This Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli recipe brings that dream to your dinner table, entirely prepared in the pressure cooker. Forget the hassle of multiple pans and the wait for takeout; this dish is not only better than your favorite restaurant version but also incredibly easy to make with minimal cleanup. It’s the perfect solution for a delicious, satisfying meal on even the busiest weeknights.

Why This Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe Will Become Your Go-To

---

This Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli recipe truly stands out for several compelling reasons, making it an absolute must-try for anyone seeking a delicious, efficient, and fuss-free meal. The magic lies in the pressure cooker, which streamlines the entire cooking process, taking care of almost every step with minimal hands-on effort. This means you can achieve restaurant-quality results without dirtying a mountain of dishes, a huge win for any home cook.

The beauty of this recipe starts with browning the beef directly in the Instant Pot using its convenient sauté function. This crucial step locks in flavor and creates a beautiful sear on the flank steak. Once the beef is seared, you simply add the remaining sauce ingredients (reserving the broccoli for later to ensure perfect texture), seal the lid, and let the pressure cooker work its wonders. The high-pressure environment tenderizes the beef incredibly quickly, infusing it with the rich, savory sauce. The longest part of the process isn’t the active cooking, but rather the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure and then naturally or quickly release steam.

But what about the broccoli? We specifically add it towards the end, after the beef has cooked, with a quick sauté to ensure it remains tender-crisp and retains its vibrant green color. This prevents it from becoming mushy, a common pitfall in many one-pot recipes. The result is a harmonious blend of perfectly cooked beef and broccoli, bathed in a mouth-watering sauce that rivals your favorite Chinese takeout. It’s an incredibly satisfying, flavorful, and incredibly simple meal that you can whip up right at home, saving you time, money, and cleanup.

Essential Ingredients for Your Homemade Beef and Broccoli

---

Crafting this delicious Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli requires a handful of accessible ingredients that come together to create an unforgettable flavor profile. You’ll find all the precise measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card located at the very end of this comprehensive guide. Gather these key components to embark on your culinary journey:

Ingredient Spotlight & Expert Substitution Tips

---

Understanding the role of each ingredient and knowing your options for substitutions can elevate your cooking experience and ensure a successful dish every time. Here’s a closer look at the key components for your Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli:

BEEF – We highly recommend using flank steak for this recipe. Its lean nature and robust texture make it ideal for absorbing the rich, savory sauce, resulting in incredibly flavorful and tender bites. Flank steak is also a fantastic cut for quick cooking methods like pressure cooking and stir-frying, as it slices well against the grain. If flank steak isn’t available or you prefer an alternative, chuck roast is an excellent substitute. When cut into smaller pieces, chuck roast becomes wonderfully tender under pressure and has a great beefy flavor that complements the sauce. Both of these cuts are staples in many of our beloved Asian-inspired recipes, such as our popular Beef Teriyaki and spicy Kung Pao Beef, proving their versatility and deliciousness in this style of cuisine. Remember to cut your chosen beef against the grain into uniform, bite-sized cubes for optimal tenderness and even cooking.

BROCCOLI – For the freshest flavor and best texture, start with fresh broccoli crowns. These should be chopped into large, uniform florets. This size is crucial because it allows the broccoli to cook quickly without becoming overly soft or mushy during its brief sauté at the end of the cooking process. If you’re looking for a shortcut, pre-chopped broccoli florets from the grocery store freezer section can be used, though fresh is always preferred for crispness. If using frozen, there’s no need to thaw; simply add them to the Instant Pot as directed, but be mindful that their cooking time might be slightly longer or shorter depending on their size and initial temperature.

SAUCE – The heart of this Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli lies in its incredibly flavorful sauce. Our expertly balanced blend starts with a foundation of savory liquid smoke, which adds a fantastic smoky depth, and classic soy sauce, providing that essential umami and saltiness. We enhance the beefy flavor further with a rich beef base (such as Better than Bouillon), which concentrates the savory notes. To harmonize and round out these robust flavors, a touch of brown sugar is added, balancing the saltiness and acidity with a subtle sweetness. This combination creates a deeply satisfying sauce that coats every piece of beef and broccoli beautifully. For those who love a thicker consistency, you have the option to transform the leftover pan sauce into a luscious gravy. Simply create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with a small amount of the sauce or water, then whisk it into the remaining juices in the Instant Pot and simmer until it thickens to your desired consistency. This rich gravy is perfect for serving over rice or noodles.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli

---

These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you visualize and easily recreate this delicious Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli recipe. For a convenient printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.

1. Prepare the Beef: Begin by taking your flank steak and cutting it against the grain into uniform, bite-sized cubes. Cutting against the grain is crucial for tenderness, ensuring that each piece of beef is easy to chew and melts in your mouth after pressure cooking.
   
2. Prepare the Broccoli: Next, take your fresh broccoli crowns and cut them into large, manageable florets. Aim for roughly similar sizes to ensure even cooking later. If you prefer smaller florets, that’s fine, but be aware they may cook faster and become softer.
   
3. Sauté the Beef: Add olive oil to the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Select the “Sauté” setting and allow the oil to heat until shimmering. Once hot, carefully add the cubed flank steak to the pot, making sure not to overcrowd it. You may need to work in batches to achieve a good sear. Brown the beef pieces on all sides, creating a delicious crust and locking in their natural juices. This browning step is essential for developing deep flavor in your dish.
   
4. Build the Sauce: After browning the beef, add the minced garlic, brown sugar, liquid smoke, soy sauce, and beef base to the Instant Pot. Stir all these ingredients together thoroughly, ensuring the beef is well coated and the flavors begin to meld. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon – this is called deglazing and adds even more flavor to your sauce while preventing a “burn” notice.
   
5. Pressure Cook the Beef: Pour one cup of water into the Instant Pot. Secure the lid, making sure it’s properly closed and the sealing vent is in the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. This will quickly tenderize the flank steak and infuse it with the savory sauce.
6. Release Pressure: Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a quick release of the steam by turning the sealing vent to the “Venting” position. Stand clear of the steam as it releases. Once all the steam has escaped and the float valve has dropped, you can safely open the lid.
7. Add and Sauté Broccoli: Change the Instant Pot setting back to “Sauté.” Add the prepared broccoli florets and cornstarch to the pot with the beef and sauce. Stir gently to combine. Allow the mixture to sauté for 3-4 minutes, uncovered. This quick sauté ensures the broccoli cooks to a perfect tender-crisp texture without becoming soggy, while the cornstarch helps to slightly thicken the sauce.
   
8. Thicken into Gravy (Optional): If you prefer a thicker gravy, you can easily create one from the remaining pan juices. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with about 1/2 cup of the hot juices from the pot until smooth. Pour this cornstarch slurry back into the Instant Pot with the remaining juices. Continue to cook on the “Sauté” function, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes bubbly and thickens to your desired consistency. This rich, glossy gravy is excellent served over rice or noodles.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli

---

Delicious Serving Suggestions to Complete Your Meal

---

This Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli is a complete meal on its own, but it truly shines when served alongside complementary dishes. For a classic pairing, serve it over a bed of fluffy white rice, which perfectly absorbs the rich, savory sauce. Alternatively, fried rice or even noodles like chow mein can make it a heartier, more elaborate meal. For an added touch of texture and flavor, consider serving it with crispy egg rolls or a light side salad dressed with an Asian-inspired vinaigrette. Garnish your warm beef and broccoli with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for a nutty crunch and a visual appeal, or add some freshly sliced green onions for a pop of color and a mild, zesty bite. Enjoy this takeout-style favorite, made fresh and easy at home!

Explore More Instant Pot Culinary Adventures

---

If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and delicious results of Instant Pot cooking, you’re in luck! The pressure cooker is a versatile tool for creating a wide variety of meals, from hearty stews to tender meats and flavorful rice dishes. Here are some more fantastic Instant Pot recipes to inspire your next culinary creation:

• Fall-Off-The-Bone Instant Pot Ribs
• Hearty Instant Pot Beef Stew
• Creamy Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
• Simple Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
• Flavorful Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast

I love to bake and cook and share my kitchen experience with all of you! Remembering to come back each day can be tough, that’s why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe and start receiving your free daily recipes!