Imagine bringing the mouth-watering flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout right into your kitchen, without the hefty price tag or lengthy preparation time. This Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli recipe is about to revolutionize your weeknight dinner game, delivering restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort. In just half an hour, you'll create a succulent, flavor-packed dish that will have your family begging for seconds and thinking you've secretly trained as a professional chef!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef flank steak, sliced thin
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
Instructions
- Prepare the beef by slicing the flank steak against the grain into thin strips, approximately 1/4 inch thick. Pat the beef dry with paper towels to ensure better browning.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together beef broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, minced garlic, and minced ginger to create a flavorful sauce. Mix until cornstarch is fully dissolved.
- Turn on the Instant Pot and select the "Sauté" function. Allow the pot to heat up for 2-3 minutes until it displays "Hot".
- Add half of the sesame oil to the Instant Pot and quickly sear the beef strips in batches, cooking for 1-2 minutes per side until they develop a golden-brown color. Remove and set aside.
- Pour the remaining sauce into the Instant Pot, scraping any browned bits from the bottom to prevent burning.
- Return the seared beef to the Instant Pot, stirring to coat evenly with the sauce.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to "Sealing", and cook on Manual/High Pressure for 10 minutes.
- Once cooking is complete, do a quick release of the pressure.
- Add broccoli florets to the pot, stir, and let sit for 2-3 minutes to allow residual heat to steam the broccoli.
- Serve hot over steamed rice, garnishing with optional sesame seeds or green onions.
Tips
- Slice Against the Grain: Always slice your flank steak against the grain to ensure tender, easy-to-chew meat that melts in your mouth.
- Pat Meat Dry: Use paper towels to remove excess moisture from the beef before searing. This helps achieve that perfect golden-brown exterior and prevents steaming.
- Sear in Batches: Don't overcrowd the Instant Pot when searing beef. Cook in small batches to ensure each piece gets a nice, caramelized crust.
- Cornstarch is Key: The cornstarch in the sauce helps thicken it and creates a glossy, restaurant-style coating on the meat.
- Quick Release Matters: Use the quick release method to prevent overcooking the beef and maintain its tender texture.
- Broccoli Timing: Adding broccoli at the end preserves its bright green color and crisp texture, preventing it from becoming mushy.
- Optional Garnishes: Sprinkle sesame seeds or chopped green onions for an extra layer of flavor and professional presentation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 26g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 75mg
