Beef And Broccoli Recipe Instant Pot With Creamy Coconut Peanut Sauce

I’m a big believer that weeknight dinners should be easy, healthy, and satisfying. This **beef and broccoli recipe instant pot** checks all those boxes and adds a creamy twist. We’ve taken a classic takeout favorite and upgraded it with a rich, velvety coconut peanut sauce that’s sure to become a family favorite. The Instant Pot does most of the work, tenderizing the beef and cooking the broccoli perfectly in a single pot. It comes together faster than delivery, making it ideal for busy parents looking for quick, family-friendly meals. Get ready for perfectly cooked beef, vibrant broccoli, and a sauce so flavorful you’ll want to make it every week.

Ingredients

Beef: 680 g (1.5 lb) flank steak or sirloin. Thinly slice the steak against the grain for maximum tenderness. Uniform slices ensure even cooking in the pressure cooker.
Marinade: 30 ml (2 tbsp) soy sauce (use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option), 15 g (1 tbsp) cornstarch, 5 g (1 tsp) fresh ginger, grated, 5 g (1 tsp) garlic, minced. The cornstarch helps create a protective coating on the beef, keeping it moist during cooking.
Searing: 30 ml (2 tbsp) vegetable oil. Use a high smoke point oil like vegetable or avocado oil for searing the beef. This oil helps develop a rich crust on the beef before pressure cooking.
Broccoli: 450 g (1 lb) fresh broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces. Ensure florets are cut to a consistent size for even cooking during the quick steam cycle. We add the broccoli at the very end to keep it vibrant and tender-crisp.
Creamy Coconut Peanut Sauce: 240 ml (1 cup) full-fat coconut milk (canned, not refrigerated drink), 60 g (1/4 cup) natural creamy peanut butter (use almond butter or sunflower seed butter for peanut allergy), 60 ml (1/4 cup) soy sauce, 30 ml (2 tbsp) maple syrup, 15 ml (1 tbsp) fresh lime juice, 10 g (2 tsp) fresh ginger, grated, 10 g (2 tsp) minced garlic, 2 g (1/2 tsp) red pepper flakes, 120 ml (1/2 cup) vegetable broth or water. The red pepper flakes add a subtle heat to cut through the richness.
Cornstarch Slurry: 15 g (1 tbsp) cornstarch, 30 ml (2 tbsp) cold water. This slurry thickens the sauce at the end of cooking. Always whisk cornstarch with cold liquid to prevent lumps.
Garnish & Serving: 5 g (1 tsp) toasted sesame seeds, 1 green onion stalk, thinly sliced, cooked rice. Serve over fluffy rice to absorb all the extra sauce.

Instructions

Prepare and Marinate Beef: In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with 30 ml (2 tbsp) soy sauce, 15 g (1 tbsp) cornstarch, 5 g (1 tsp) grated ginger, and 5 g (1 tsp) minced garlic. Toss to coat evenly and let marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator. I often let this marinate for a full 30 minutes while I prep the rest of the ingredients for the best flavor infusion. This makes a big difference in the final taste of this **beef and broccoli recipe instant pot**.
Sauté Beef in Batches: Set your Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode on normal heat. Once hot, add 30 ml (2 tbsp) vegetable oil. Working in batches if necessary, add the marinated beef and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Do not cook completely through; just get a nice sear on the edges. Remove the seared beef to a clean plate and set aside. Overcrowding the pot will cause the beef to steam instead of sear, so work in batches for better texture.
Deglaze the Pot: Pour 120 ml (1/2 cup) vegetable broth or water into the hot Instant Pot. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This deglazing step is crucial for preventing a “Burn” notice during pressure cooking for this **beef and broccoli recipe instant pot**. Ensure all browned bits are loosened from the bottom before proceeding.
Prepare the Creamy Peanut Sauce: While the beef is marinating, whisk together the full-fat coconut milk, natural creamy peanut butter, 60 ml (1/4 cup) soy sauce, maple syrup, lime juice, 10 g (2 tsp) grated ginger, 10 g (2 tsp) minced garlic, and red pepper flakes in a separate bowl. Continue whisking until smooth and uniform. Combining the sauce ingredients first ensures a smooth, lump-free final sauce.
Pressure Cook the Beef: Return the seared beef to the Instant Pot. Pour the prepared coconut peanut sauce over the beef. Secure the lid, ensuring the venting knob is sealed. Select “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual”) on High Pressure for 8 minutes. The 8-minute pressure cook time ensures the beef is tender and flavorful in the rich sauce for this specific **beef and broccoli recipe instant pot**.
Quick Release and Add Broccoli: Once cooking is complete, perform a quick release of pressure by carefully turning the venting knob to the “Venting” position. Once the pin drops, open the lid. Add the 450 g (1 lb) broccoli florets to the pot, submerging them slightly in the sauce. Secure the lid again, ensuring the venting knob is sealed. Select “Pressure Cook” on High Pressure for 0 minutes. The 0-minute cook time uses the residual heat of the pot to steam the broccoli without turning it mushy. Immediately perform a quick release once the 0-minute cycle is complete to stop cooking and maintain a vibrant green color.
Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 15 g (1 tbsp) cornstarch and 30 ml (2 tbsp) cold water to create a slurry. Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode on normal heat. Once the sauce begins to simmer, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, about 2-3 minutes. Turn off the Instant Pot. Whisk continuously while adding the slurry to prevent clumping.
Serve and Garnish: Ladle the creamy **beef and broccoli recipe instant pot** over steamed white or brown rice in wide serving bowls. Garnish generously with 5 g (1 tsp) toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions for fresh color and texture. The finished dish should have a rich, glossy sauce coating the beef and broccoli. For extra spice, sprinkle with additional red pepper flakes before serving.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

This easy Instant Pot beef and broccoli recipe is great on its own, but it’s even better with a complementary side to soak up all that creamy coconut peanut sauce.

The Perfect Base: Serve this family-friendly beef and broccoli over fluffy steamed rice (white, brown, or jasmine) or over a bed of low-carb options like cauliflower rice or quinoa.
Noodle Bowls: For a different texture, serve over lo mein noodles, thick udon noodles, or rice noodles. The sauce clings perfectly to pasta and provides another great meal prep idea.
Spice it Up: Add more red pepper flakes for extra heat, or include a dash of sriracha to the sauce mixture during thickening.
Vegetable Swaps: Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like sugar snap peas or sliced bell peppers during the final 0-minute pressure cycle.

Instant Pot Pro Tips for Best Results

The Instant Pot makes quick work of weeknight dinners, but a few small tips can make the difference between a good dish and a great one. These steps ensure your beef is tender and your broccoli stays crisp and vibrant.

Preventing the Burn Notice: Always deglaze the pot completely after searing the beef. Use a wooden spatula to scrape up all browned bits, ensuring a smooth surface before adding the sauce and sealing the lid.
The Perfect Broccoli Texture: The 0-minute pressure cook cycle for this Instant Pot beef and broccoli recipe is specifically designed for quick-cooking vegetables like broccoli. The residual heat is enough to tenderize the florets without turning them soft. Be sure to quick release immediately after the cycle ends.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Searing the beef in batches ensures even browning and prevents steaming, which is essential for a good texture. Overcrowding will lower the temperature and lead to grey, soft beef, ruining this beef and broccoli recipe Instant Pot meal.

FAQs: Troubleshooting and Substitutions

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, this Instant Pot beef and broccoli recipe holds up well for meal prep. The flavors deepen overnight, making it even better the next day. Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a pot on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Yes. If using frozen broccoli, you can skip the 0-minute pressure cook cycle. Simply add the frozen florets to the hot sauce during the thickening step (Step 7), stirring until heated through and tender-crisp. I actually prefer this method for meal prep because it holds up better.

What if I don’t have flank steak?

Sirloin or top round are excellent substitutes. If using a slightly tougher cut for your Instant Pot beef and broccoli, you may need to increase the pressure cook time by 2-3 minutes to reach desired tenderness. Always slice against the grain for maximum tenderness.

How do I make this recipe gluten-free?

To make this recipe completely gluten-free, substitute the soy sauce in the marinade and sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Check your peanut butter label to ensure it is certified gluten-free, as some contain gluten additives. This beef and broccoli recipe Instant Pot easily fits into a healthy gluten-free diet with these simple swaps.

What can I substitute for the peanut butter?

If you have a peanut allergy, substitute a different nut butter like almond butter, or use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free alternative. The flavor profile will change slightly but still provide creaminess to the final dish.

My sauce didn’t thicken. What did I do wrong?

Make sure the cornstarch slurry (Step 7) is well whisked before adding, and ensure the pot is on Sauté mode and simmering as you slowly whisk it in. Give it a few minutes to thicken. If it’s still thin after 3-4 minutes, whisk in another small slurry of 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon cold water.

Conclusion

This Instant Pot beef and broccoli recipe offers a quick, one-pot solution for a flavorful family dinner. The creamy coconut peanut sauce provides a unique twist on a classic, making it a new favorite for even picky eaters. Pin this recipe to save it for later and share it with your friends for quick meal ideas!