Savory Beef and Broccoli Recipe-3 ways -Homemade Food Junkie (2024)

Our Beef and Broccoli recipe is full of authentic Asian flavor with umami richness. The secret to success with this recipe is the fresh ingredients and the flavorful sauce. Introduce this savory dish of tender beef and crisp broccoli in a flavorful sauce to your family.

Beef and Broccoli recipe can be made in the Instant Pot, on your stovetop in a skillet, or in a Crockpot. All of these methods are simple, the only difference is time. We give instructions in our printable for each method.

This Beef and Broccoli recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner. We offer you three easy ways to make this recipe. Just choose the cooking method you prefer and serve it over rice for a complete meal.

The Instant Pot dinner can be made in under an hour. The Crockpot method takes around 4 hours so it’s perfect when you plan to be away from the kitchen. Our easy beef and broccoli stir fry recipe is done and ready to enjoy as a complete meal, or alongside your favorite Asian inspired side dishes.

The best Chinese beef and broccoli recipe is the one your family loves and the cook enjoys making. This post is all about cooking options. This Beef and broccoli recipe is versatile. Choose the method you love and make it your own personal favorite. This dinner provides a delicious portion of protein with lots of fiber to help satisfy the appetite. The beef and broccoli dinner makes lots of leftovers and tastes great when reheated.

In this post we will go over all the steps to making this the perfect beef and broccoli dinner recipe for you.

How do you make this Beef and Broccoli recipe? You can make this broccoli and beef recipe in your instant pot, slow cooker or skillet. We give tips on all those methods in this post. Made with tender strips of steak, a homemade sauce, and steamed broccoli florets; all poured over a bed of soft white rice.

How Long Does it Take to Cook Broccoli in the Instant Pot? Broccoli cooks quickly in the Instant Pot. It can be completely cooked in under 5 minutes. The Instant Pot takes a while to come to pressure, during this time the broccoli is already cooking and steaming. The pot can be quick released and the broccoli can be eaten immediately. When using an instant pot it is best to use fresh broccoli. Frozen may over cook since it is blanched before freezing.

Can you Put Raw Beef in the Instant Pot? Yes You can put raw beef in the Instant Pot. Meat that goes in the Instant Pot to be cooked is raw in most cases. A great way to add extra flavor into raw meat is to sauté it before putting it under pressure. Sautéing meat helps lock in flavor and moisture into the cut of meat.

Can you overcook Beef in an Instant Pot? Yes You can overcook beef in an instant pot. However, all meat can be overcooked using any kind of cooking method. It is certainly possible to burn beef in the Instant Pot and have chewy, tough, overcooked meat. So be sure to follow the recipe for the correct cook time and pressure.

This recipe calls for 5 minutes in the Instant Pot. We don’t need to cook this beef very long because it is a very thin cut that cooks extremely fast.

This Beef and Broccoli recipe calls for a quick sauté of the thin chuck roast strips. Don’t sauté this meat for too long or it will cook all the way through and become tough. A quick sear is all that is needed for thin cuts of meat.

But If you’re in a hurry, the quick and easy beef and broccoli stir-fry recipe method is for you. You can have this dinner on the table in half an hour.

Follow the recipe for beef and broccoli stir fry instructions in our printable recipe card. There is one thing you may have to do before you begin. It depends on the type of sliced beef you are using.

Instant pot and the crock pot both will normally give you a tender beef in this beef and broccoli recipe. For stir fry the beef will not cook as long. So the beef fibers may stay tight and tough. How do you make stir fry beef so its tender? Here are some ideas.

How do you tenderize Beef?

• One way to tenderize beef for beef and broccoli is to use a meat tenderizer tool, which has small spikes or blades that physically break down the fibers in the meat.
• Another method is to marinate the beef in an acidic liquid, such as soy sauce or vinegar, which can help to break down the proteins and make the meat more tender and more flavorful for this recipe.
• Additionally, you can use a meat mallet to pound the beef before cooking, which can also help to break down the fibers and make the meat more tender.
• After you sear or brown the meat and remove it from the skillet, let it rest on a plate covered by tinfoil. This will allow the juices in the meat to drain out and reabsorb somewhat. This helps keep the meat tender and juicy.
• Whichever method you choose, be sure to slice the beef against the grain, as this can also help to make the meat more tender.

What is Beef and Broccoli Sauce made of?

Beef and Broccoli sauce is made out of soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, ginger, and some corn starch for thickening. We’ve added oyster sauce as an option for this recipe too. It elevates the dish to a more authentic Chinese beef and broccoli recipe.

For an authentic Chinese beef and broccoli brown sauce recipe the oyster sauce is an important ingredient. But, it’s always all about how you like it. These ingredients can be substituted to fit tastes and dietary needs.

Can you use flour Instead of cornstarch for this Beef and Broccoli recipe?

Flour can be substituted for corn starch to thicken the brown sauce for this beef and broccoli recipe. More flour is needed to have the same thickening affect as the corn starch. If you are swapping out the cornstarch for flour, add a tablespoon at at time to the sauce and thoroughly whisk it in. Keep adding in flour until the sauce is properly thickened.

Slow cooking is still a great method for this beef and broccoli recipe. Slow cooker beef and broccoli is about as easy a dinner as you can make, and the gentle cooking method will tenderize the beef while holding the natural juices for a richer flavor.

Fresh, homemade dinners are far superior in texture and flavor over pre made or restaurant meals. You will definitely notice a difference over a take out beef and broccoli recipe.

How do you serve Beef and Broccoli?

Beef and broccoli is great served over plain white rice. This is the most common ingredient to serve this dinner over. Quinoa is also a good grain to use as a base for this recipe, and it is more healthy. Brown rice has more nutrients than white rice and will work as a base, or use our brown rice quinoa blend.

For a low carb beef and broccoli dinner serve it over cauliflower rice. Make sure to start your side that you are serving the dinner with early enough that is can be ready when the beef and broccoli are.

When making rice for this recipe, we start the rice when prepping the ingredients for the main dinner. Most rice can be cooked on the stovetop or in a rice cooker in 15-20 minutes. Fresh rice is always a delicious and filling addition to this meal.

Ingredient Tips:

• Use plain sesame oil or find a sesame oil with some spice (Here’s some ideas for spicy sesame oils on Amazon) to change up the recipe.
• The broccoli can be either fresh or frozen.
• Try adding a tablespoon or so of chopped roasted red peppers to enhance the flavors.

Printable Recipe Card:

We have put together a printable recipe card so you can always have the recipe with you! Just hit the print button and save the Beef and Broccoli recipe.

Please also watch our video recipe demonstration for a complete step by step visual guide to this recipe.

Yield: 8 Servings

Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Dinner

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Beef and broccoli with a rich umami Chinese brown sauce is easy to make in an electric pressure cooker. Or any slow cooker. Pour it over cooked rice or riced cauliflower. This is an excellent family weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 lb. chuck roast (sliced into thin strips)
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. pepper

For the sauce:

• 1 Cup soy sauce
• 3 Cups concentrated beef broth
• 2/3 Cup brown sugar (to taste)
• 2 Tablespoons Sesame Oil
• 1 Tablespoon garlic minced
• 1 Cup onion minced
• 1 Tablespoon of ginger (fresh minced)
• 1 1/2 Tablespoon Oyster sauce (to taste)*

Finishing:

• 3 Cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
• 4 Cups Cooked rice
• 4 Tablespoons cornstarch (mixed with 1 cup reserved sauce)

Instructions

Instant Pot Beef And Broccoli:

1. There are a lot more small steps in this method then the slow cooker method. But it's quicker.

Prep:

1. Chop the onion, garlic and ginger.
2. Set a pot on high with four cups of chicken broth or water.
3. Measure out the rice and set aside.
4. Chop the fresh broccoli-set aside.

Make the sauce and begin the rice:

1. Pour rice into boiling water, cover and set timer 20 minutes.
2. In a medium bowl, Whisk the soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, beef broth and oyster sauce (if using) together. Set aside.

Cooking:

1. Set the instant pot to Sauté high. Add the oil.
2. When the oil is hot add the sliced meat (if raw)
3. Season the meat with salt and pepper and Cook until slightly browned. (three minutes a side) Remove meat to tray.
4. Add chopped onion, garlic and ginger to instant pot.
5. Sauté about three minutes.
6. Pour the sauce into the instant pot.
7. Add the meat back in.
8. **Layer the raw broccoli onf top of the meat.
9. Lock and seal the lid.
10. *Set the instant pot to 5 minutes high pressure.

Finish the sauce:

1. When the instant pot is finished quick release.
2. Remove the meat to a tray.
3. Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the hot sauce in the cooking pot.
4. Set the instant pot to sauté high.
5. Let it come to a boil for one minute and thicken until it coats the back of your whisk or spoon.

Serve:

1. Assemble this dinner by putting the cooked rice on the bottom of a plate or bowl.
2. Layer the meat over the rice.
3. Arrange the broccoli florets over the meat as desired.
4. Pour sauce over the top.
   

Beef and Broccoli Crockpot Method:

1. This is the set it and forget method. Just takes some time. Delicous results.
2. Put the raw beef into the slow cooker. (you can brown the meat beforehand but it is not necessary with this method)
3. In a medium bowl whisk together the soy sauce, concentrated beef broth, brown sugar, sesame oil and garlic, onion and ginger.
4. Pour over the sliced beef and set the slow cooker on high heat. Cook three and a half hours.

Slow Cooker finish allow 30 minutes additional time:

1. After three and a half hours, In a small bowl, stir together cornstarch and sauce from the crock pot until smooth. Add to the crock pot. Stir well.
2. Add broccoli to the crock pot. Stir to combine.
3. Cover and cook an additional 30 minutes on high (the sauce has to boil for it to thicken).
4. During this time cook your rice separately.
5. Serve over hot cooked rice..or try brown rice quinoa blend. Just replace beef broth for the chicken broth in the recipe.

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Method:

1. This is the quickest method of the three. But it is more intense. If your in a hurry and have a half hour this method will get it on the table fast.

Prep:

1. Chop the onion, garlic and ginger.
2. Set a pot on high with four cups of chicken broth or water.
3. Pour Rice into boiling water or chicken broth. Reduce heat to simmer, cover and set timer for 20 minutes.
4. Chop the fresh broccoli-set aside.

Cook The Beef and the Sauce:

1. Set your skillet to medium high
2. Add 2 Tablespoons oil to the skillet
3. Season the meat with salt and pepper and drop it into the oil.
4. Sear or brown the meat until all sided of the meat are browned if the meat is raw.
5. Reduce heat to medium. Remove meat to tray while making sauce and cover tightly with foil.
6. Add chopped onion, garlic and ginger and cook until onion is translucent, about three minutes.
7. In a medium bowl, Whisk the soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, beef broth and oyster sauce (if using) together.
8. Pour the sauce into the skillet.
9. Add the meat back in.
10. **Layer the raw broccoli on top of the meat.
11. Serve over the cooked rice.

Notes

• *The oyster sauce is optional. It will add it owns signature flavor to the sauce.
• This is a good recipe for using up leftover roast or sirloin steaks. If you use cooked leftover beef SKIP the sauté step for the meat and use that function to cook the onions, garlic and ginger only.
• It's easy to pick up a pack of thin sliced beef used in stir fry. That's what you see pictured. If you keep the slices thin the pressure cooker is completed in five minutes.
• *If you use raw thick cuts of beef you may have to increase to 7 minutes or more. Thick cuts will also work well for slow cooking.
• **You can cook the broccoli in with the meat for five minutes. but it will be slightly overcooked and brown rather than bright green and firmer.
• Best to steam the broccoli separately to retain the firm green attractive look, texture and taste of the broccoli.

Nutrition Information

Yield

10

Serving Size

1
Amount Per ServingCalories 439Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 76mgSodium 1877mgCarbohydrates 42gFiber 3gSugar 15gProtein 29g

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See Also

Learn How to Make the Best Pan Sauces and Gravies With These Tips

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Recipe Inspiration from Table for Two Blog