If you’re craving a comforting takeout classic without the wait or extra costs, this Pressure Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe is just the ticket. Tender, savory beef mingles with crisp, vibrant broccoli all coated in a luscious, homemade sauce—made quickly and effortlessly in your pressure cooker. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that feels special but comes together in a flash!
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Unbeatable Speed: Thanks to the pressure cooker, your beef turns tender in just 12 minutes, saving you time without sacrificing flavor.
Rich, Layered Flavors: The mix of soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic creates a sauce that’s savory, sweet, and a little smoky all at once.
Healthier Homemade Alternative: You control the ingredients, avoiding preservatives and excess salt found in takeout versions.
Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether a cozy family meal or an impressive quick dinner for friends, this recipe hits all the right notes.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The star ingredients in this Pressure Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe are familiar but essential, each playing a crucial role to make the dish shine. The beef provides hearty richness, the broccoli adds freshness and crunch, and the combination of aromatics and sauces ties everything into one harmonious plate.
- Boneless beef chuck roast: A budget-friendly cut that becomes tender and flavorful when pressure-cooked; flank steak or London broil work well too.
- Broccoli florets: Fresh and bright, offering great texture contrast and vibrant color.
- Soy sauce: Provides savory depth—opt for reduced sodium if you want to keep salt levels in check.
- Brown sugar: Balances the salty and savory elements with a subtle sweetness.
- Sesame oil: Adds a fragrant, nutty richness that makes the sauce feel authentic and irresistible.
- Garlic and onion: Classic aromatics that build the foundational flavor profile.
- Cornstarch and water: Your go-to for thickening the sauce to that perfect velvety consistency.
How to Make Pressure Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Start by seasoning your thin strips of beef chuck roast with freshly ground pepper. Heat olive oil in your pressure cooker set to the browning or sauté function and quickly brown the meat in batches—just one side is enough to lock in flavor without risking dryness. This step adds depth and a gorgeous caramelized note to the dish.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
Once the beef is set aside, toss your finely chopped onions into the pot and sauté for a couple of minutes until softening. Then add the minced garlic and cook for about a minute more, just until fragrant. These aromatics create the soul of your sauce, building layers of rich flavor.
Step 3: Add Liquids and Seasonings
Pour in the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir everything together until the sugar dissolves, creating a beautifully balanced sweet and savory sauce with just a hint of kick. Then nestle the browned beef back into the pot along with any juices.
Step 4: Pressure Cook the Beef
Secure the lid on your pressure cooker, select the High Pressure setting, and set the timer for 12 minutes. This short pressure cook will tenderize the beef perfectly, making it melt-in-your-mouth while fully absorbing the rich sauce flavors.
Step 5: Steam the Broccoli
While the beef cooks, steam your broccoli florets in the microwave with a splash of water until just tender—about 3 to 4 minutes. This quick step keeps the broccoli bright green and crisp-tender, perfect for balancing the richly sauced beef.
Step 6: Thicken the Sauce and Combine
Once the timer beeps, perform a quick pressure release and carefully remove the lid. Mix your cornstarch and water to form a slurry, then stir it into the hot sauce while using the sauté function to thicken until glossy and smooth. Finally, fold in the steamed broccoli so it soaks up that delicious sauce without losing its snap.
How to Serve Pressure Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Garnishes
To amp up the presentation and flavor, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds over the top just before serving. They add a lovely nutty crunch that complements the tender beef and crisp broccoli beautifully.
Side Dishes
This dish shines when spooned over fluffy steamed white or brown rice, but it’s equally delicious alongside cauliflower rice for a low-carb twist. You can also pair it with simple egg rolls or a light cucumber salad for a complete Asian-inspired meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your Pressure Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe in lettuce cups for a fun, handheld dinner, or layer it over cauliflower rice with a drizzle of sriracha mayo for a spicy kick. Garnish with chopped green onions or fresh cilantro to add vibrant color and fresh herbaceous notes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The beef stays tender and the broccoli maintains a pleasant texture, making it easy to enjoy quick lunches or dinners later in the week.
Freezing
You can freeze cooled portions for up to 3 months. It’s best to freeze the beef and sauce separately from the broccoli to avoid sogginess—add fresh steamed broccoli when reheating for the best texture.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through, stirring occasionally to keep the sauce smooth. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up before serving.
FAQs
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Can I use other cuts of beef for this pressure cooker recipe?
Absolutely! While chuck roast is fantastic for its flavor and tenderness when pressure cooked, flank steak or London broil are great alternatives that also cook well under pressure, giving you that tender, juicy finish.
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Is it better to steam broccoli separately or in the pressure cooker?
Steaming broccoli separately, as in this recipe, helps preserve its vibrant green color and crispness. However, you can also steam it in the pressure cooker before browning the beef, but be sure to handle the timing carefully to avoid overcooking.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to replace regular soy sauce, and double-check your cornstarch brand for gluten-free certification. These swaps keep the dish accessible without compromising flavor.
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How can I adjust the spice level in this beef and broccoli dish?
The recipe includes a small amount of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, but you can easily omit them for a milder version or add extra for more heat. Feel free to experiment with your preferred spice level!
Final Thoughts
There’s something so satisfying about this Pressure Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe: it’s quick, comforting, and packed with flavors that feel genuinely homemade. Once you try this, it’s bound to become a staple in your rotation that’s equally perfect for a busy weeknight or a relaxed weekend dinner. So, get that pressure cooker fired up and treat yourself to this delicious, saucy goodness—you won’t regret it!
Print
Pressure Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Pressure Cooker Beef and Broccoli recipe is a quick, flavorful dish featuring tender beef chuck roast cooked perfectly under pressure and complemented by crisp, steamed broccoli. With a savory sauce made from soy, brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic, this meal is ideal for a wholesome weeknight dinner served over steamed rice and garnished with toasted sesame seeds.
Ingredients
Beef and Sauce
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, well trimmed and sliced into thin strips
- Fresh ground pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (use reduced-sodium if preferred)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Vegetables
- 1 pound broccoli florets, diced into bite-size pieces
Thickening and Garnish
- 3 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- Cooked rice for serving
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Season and Brown the Beef: Season the beef strips with freshly ground pepper. Heat olive oil in the pressure cooker pot using the Browning or Sauté setting. When the oil is hot and sizzling, brown the beef strips in batches without overcrowding, browning only one side to save time. Remove the browned beef and set aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add the finely chopped onion to the pot and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until it begins to soften. Then, add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute to release fragrance.
- Prepare the Sauce: Stir in beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Mix well until the brown sugar completely dissolves.
- Pressure Cook the Beef: Return the browned beef along with any juices to the pot. Lock the lid securely. Select the High Pressure setting and set the cooking time for 12 minutes.
- Steam the Broccoli: While the beef cooks, place broccoli florets in a microwave-safe bowl with 1/4 cup water. Microwave for 3 to 4 minutes until tender but still crisp.
- Release Pressure and Remove Lid: When the cooking time ends, turn off the pressure cooker and perform a quick pressure release. Once the valve drops, carefully unlock and remove the lid.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth to create a slurry. Select the Simmer/Sauté function on the cooker and stir the slurry into the pot. Stir continuously until the sauce boils and thickens.
- Add Broccoli and Serve: Stir the steamed broccoli into the thickened sauce. Serve hot over cooked rice and garnish with toasted sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Use reduced-sodium soy sauce to reduce the salt content if preferred.
- For quicker preparation, brown the beef first, then slice it thinly as recommended by a reader.
- Flank steak or London broil can be substituted for chuck roast with good results.
- To cook broccoli in the pressure cooker: before browning the beef, add 1 cup water and a steamer basket to the pot, pressure cook on High for 0 minutes, quick release, then remove broccoli.
- Alternatively, steam broccoli in the sauce after pressure cooking by locking the lid and selecting the Keep Warm setting until broccoli reaches desired crispness.
