I’m combining two of my favorite things today. My instant pot and Chinese food! This Whole30 instant pot beef and broccoli is about a million times healthier than the beef and broccoli you would normally get in your takeout order. It also happens to be a quicker option too, with only 30 minutes needed to put this on the dinner table! Got your attention now didn’t I? Thought so!
I remember when I first got my instant pot this summer and was terrified of it. I remember writing in the first recipe I posted here about how it looked like a spaceship (haha!) and that I was so nervous to use it. Compared to my slow cooker that has two buttons for low and high, this contraption felt like I needed an engineering degree to figure out. But, alas, I managed, and now I couldn’t imagine life without it. Bonus: my kitchen hasn’t exploded (yet).
If you’ve been hesitating on getting one for yourself, I’m here to tell you it’s worth it. Not only for easy 30 minute meals from start to finish, like this beef and broccoli or my chicken taco soup, but even for batch cooking! I love using it at the beginning of the week to cook a bunch of chicken breasts to dice or shred, pork, taco meat or roasts so I have a go-to protein for the week.
For this instant pot beef and broccoli, you can use flank steak or a beef chuck roast. If you use a chuck roast, make sure to trim any extra fat prior to cooking. Those cuts of beef typically are a bit fattier, but they’re also cheaper so it’s a good budget option!
Instead of a typical soy sauce (Paleo = no soy), I use coconut aminos. You can pretty much get coconut aminos anywhere nowadays. Target and Walmart even. My favorite brands are Big Tree Farms and just the Thrive Market brand because it’s way cheaper and I go through this stuff like water sometimes. I DID tell you I was a huge fan of Chinese food at the beginning of this, remember?
I did link to Big Tree Farms on Amazon, but just to show you what I’m yappin’ about. It’s way cheaper on Thrive Market per bottle (like half the price) so just a heads up there. Thrive Market gives you 20% off your first 3 orders as well, so you can maximize your savings there too.
The other ingredients used in this simple Whole30 instant pot beef and broccoli recipe are sesame oil, which is a staple for creating the well known Asian flavor in dishes. Along with using arrowroot flour as the thickener instead of cornstarch. Some other options for thickening sauces are tapioca starch, coconut flour or gelatin.
For my tips on cooking with gelatin, check out this post!
This Whole30 instant pot beef and broccoli is great served with cauliflower rice, broccoli rice or just on it’s own! You can make it for a quick weeknight dinner, or use it for your next meal prep. It makes plenty of servings to get you some delicious lunches for the week! Enjoy!
Instant Pot Beef & Broccoli Tutorial Video
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PrintInstant Pot Beef and Broccoli: Whole30, Paleo and 30 Minutes!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
- 1.5 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2–3 crowns broccoli broken into florets
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil (I use Primal Kitchen) or olive oil
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot flour
- 1/2 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- Sesame seeds to garnish
- Chopped green onions to garnish
Instructions
- Turn instant pot onto “sauté” mode and add avocado or olive oil.
- Once oil is sizzling, sear sliced beef (about 30 seconds-1 minute on each side) in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd or over cook. Transfer to a plate once browned
- Once all beef is browned and on the plate, add minced garlic to the instant pot and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute
- Add in the beef broth, ginger, coconut aminos, sesame oil, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Add beef and juices from plate to the instant pot, close the lid, and set to “sealing”
- Select manual and set the time for 10 minutes
- While beef and sauce is cooking, place broccoli florets in a microwave safe dish filled 3/4th’s with water. Microwave for 3 minutes until lightly steamed for al dente broccoli. Drain water and set aside. Mix in with the beef after cooking. *See notes for additional way to cook the broccoli
- Once beef is done, do a quick release, and put the instant pot back into “sauté” mode
- Slowly add in arrowroot flour, using a fork to whisk into the liquid as you add it. Add in broccoli and continue stirring as the sauce thickens
- Remove beef and broccoli with a slotted spoon and arrange in a large serving dish or meal prep containers. Allow the remaining liquid to continue simmering and thickening
- Once it’s thick and bubbling, pour sauce over beef and broccoli
- Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions or additional red pepper flakes
Notes
Optional way to cook broccoli: Once done the beef is done, do a quick release, remove lid, place in broccoli. Close the lid again, set to 0:00 on manual, and set to “sealing” to steam broccoli. This will cook the broccoli more thoroughly as opposed to lightly steaming it for more fork tender broccoli. Then continue with step 7.
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 418
- Sugar: 5
- Fat: 23
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Protein: 38
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Michelle Johnson says
Really good!!! I used the alternate option for the broccoli, adding it to the pot instead of microwaving. I should have removed the meat (or reduced the time) before adding the broccoli. My beef ended up a little over done. It was still amazing and I’ll do better with the next batch!!
Melissa says
The only thing I didn’t sub out was the arrowroot flour because I’d already purchased the coconut aminos (first time using it and loved it) and the avocado oil just for this recipe, but I’m encouraged to try that too. My whole family raved about this meal. Easy, quick and satisfyingly delicious.
Christa says
Could I use sirloin steak in this?
paleobailey says
You can!
Susan says
Paleobailey, Thank you so much for sharing this delicious recipe! My husband and I loved the flavors and the sauce! We are thrilled to have leftovers for later in the week! I did sub in chopped kale for the broccoli as I had it on hand. I just added the kale in after the 10 minute pressure cooking of the meat and sauce (Kale added in Step 7 with the arrowroot).
PS We also love your Instant Pot Cashew Chicken!
Kay says
Paleobailey, Thank you so much for sharing this delicious recipe! My husband and I loved the flavors and the sauce! We are thrilled to have leftovers for later in the week! I did sub in chopped kale for the broccoli as I had it on hand. I just added the kale in after the 10 minute pressure cooking of the meat and sauce (Kale added in Step 7 with the arrowroot).
PS We also love your Instant Pot Cashew Chicken!
Cara says
I make this almost every week!! It’s so good and so easy to make!
Renee says
This was a good recipe I omitted the salt because the amino is salty. I also added zanthan gum instead of arrow root to cut the carbs as the thickener. I will be making this again.
Barry says
Hey this recipe is great. Quick question when doubling the recipe is it just a standard doubling of ingredients and cook time or do something’s stay the same?
Alana Smith says
Could you use stew meat with this recipe? I bought it accidentally and that’s all I have!
paleobailey says
I think that would be fine!
Keri P says
Can a different Whole30 compliant flour be used instead of arrowroot? I have coconut and almond flour on hand. Thank you!
paleobailey says
Hi! You could try almond, but it doesn’t thicken sauces the same way arrowroot or tapioca flours will. Those two are the best options for a Whole30 thickener!
Brenda says
I dont have a “sealing” setting on my instant pot… what do you think that is equivalent to? My options are: Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Slow Cook, Saute, Rice, Multigrain, Porridge, Steam, Yogurt, Pressure Cook (with settings of low, medium and high, combined with pressure low or high). Which one would be equivalent to sealing? Thanks!!
paleobailey says
Hi Brenda! Sealing just refers to the sealing/venting knob on the top of the lid. That needs to be toggled over to the side that closes the vent to release the pressure!
Brenda says
thanks … but still need to know which setting I am setting the pot on for 10 minutes… It can’t be on pressure cook with the vent open so I wonder which setting I am selecting.
paleobailey says
Hi! The instructions say to put the lid on, set the lid to sealing. Then, just press pressure cook and manually set it to 10 minutes (instead of using the options for type of food you listed). It should automatically be on high pressure. Sorry for the confusion!
Brenda says
No Prob and Thank You… I am new at this (that is probably painstakingly obvious!! lol)
paleobailey says
No problem! I was super confused by the IP when I first got it haha!! It sat in the box for a few months because I just had no idea what I was doing 🙂
Sarah says
Huge hit with my kids (9 and 4) and me! Easy to follow recipe that tastes delicious! I had to sub beef broth for chicken stock as it’s what I had on hand and still came out super delicious! Can’t wait to have left overs tomorrow.
Kellie R. says
This has become one of my “go to” family dinners, and I make it once or twice a month. It always turns out amazing. The most important trick is browning your meat in small batches, so you get that nice, brown caramel color to the thickened sauce. I also, prefer to just add my broccoli directly into the pressure cook and cook for an additional 3 minutes. The broccoli comes out tender crisp and it save the hassle of “pre-cooking” it.
Jen says
I just made this and it’s delicious ! I chose to put the broccoli in the instant pot instead of the microwave , which I think tastes great but if you don’t like softer broccoli than definitely microwave. Also, I just read your “about me” , how fabulous are you? ! Keep on being amazing and sharing these tasty recipes and spreading positive vibes our way lol . I’m 22 days into the whole 30 and feeing great . Thank you from the PNW 🙂
Julie says
This is so good! My grandchildren loved it, they literally cleaned their plates which is very unusual! My mother and husband loved it too-so there ya go, perfect for all age levels!
John Boyt says
vinegar is mentioned in the video but is not in the recipe?
paleobailey says
Hi John! So sorry about that. It’s a typo, and supposed to say sesame oil in the video.
Renee Smith says
This is now one of my family’s favorite meals! I used the optional broccoli cook method and thickened my sauce with cornstarch (which I know makes it non whole30 but we aren’t on a whole30 and it was all I had). Served with cauliflower rice, my husband, freshman and picky 9 year old ate it all. Well done!
paleobailey says
I’m so happy to hear that it was a hit with your family!! Thank you so much for giving it a try and taking the time to leave a review!
Lindsay says
This is wayyyyyy too salty! And I’m obsessed w salt. Otherwise loved the arrowroot powder and texture of sauce etc. And so quick w microwave broccoli method. I’ll probably take out the broth next time and sub water and decrease the aminos.
Shannon Levy says
This made the whole family happy. With a difficult to please husband and picky kids, we couldn’t have been happier. And- SUPER easy. Yay!
paleobailey says
LOVE to hear it!! I’m so glad it was a hit with the whole fam 🙂 Thank you so much!
Kris says
Yum! I made this for my boyfriend and I. He is obsessed. And it was pretty quick and easy.
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you both enjoyed!! Thank you for giving it a try!!