Chinese Beef and Broccoli

My keto-friendly Beef and Broccoli recipe is the healthy takeout alternative you've been looking for, and the Instant Pot makes it so easy!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Chinese

Keyword beef and broccoli, beef and broccoli recipe, instant pot beef and broccoli, keto beef and broccoli

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 35

Total Time 50

Servings

Calories 212kcal

Author Isabel Laessig

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

1 pound flank steak or chuck roast, finely sliced against the grain
1 pound broccoli florets about 2⅔ cups
½ cup beef broth
2 cloves garlic minced
½ tablespoon fresh ginger minced or grated
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon crushed chili pepper
2-3 tablespoons fish sauce
¼ cup coconut aminos or soy sauce
½ tablespoon arrowroot powder to thicken the sauce
sesame seeds optional, for garnish
1½ teaspoons baking soda optional

Instructions

(Optional) Slice the beef, then place it in a large bowl. Sprinkle 1½ teaspoons of baking soda over the beef and toss well, then let it marinate 30 minutes. Once marinated, rinse the beef and pat it dry.
1½ teaspoons baking soda, 1 pound flank steak
Turn the Instant Pot to Saute mode, and add the oil. Once hot, add the beef in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Cook until browned on all sides, then remove to a plate.
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Combine the ginger, garlic, onion powder, crushed chili pepper, beef broth, soy sauce or aminos, and 2-3 Tablespoons of fish sauce (to taste) in a bowl. Mix well, then add to the pot and add the beef back in. Stir well.
½ cup beef broth, 2 cloves garlic, ½ tablespoon fresh ginger, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon crushed chili pepper, 2-3 tablespoons fish sauce, ¼ cup coconut aminos
Secure the lid on to the Instant Pot, then cook for 10 minutes on HIGH. While it cooks, very briefly steam or boil the broccoli, cooking for no longer than 3 minutes.
1 pound broccoli florets
Carefully quick release the pressure, guarding your hand with a dish towel or oven mitt in case of hot steam.
Combine the arrowroot or corn starch with a splash of cold water and stir into a cornstarch slurry. Add to the beef and stir until the sauce thickens.
½ tablespoon arrowroot powder
Add the cooked broccoli into the pot, and mix so the broccoli is coated with sauce.
Garnish the dish with sesame seeds and additional crushed red pepper, and serve! Best served with cauliflower rice or white rice!
sesame seeds

Notes

If you've got one, you can also make this recipe easily in a wok! Use the same ingredients and the same basic steps, but instead of pressure cooking the beef, stir fry it in the wok over high heat before adding in the broccoli and thickening the sauce.

The secret to tender beef is cutting the strips against the grain. Try to choose beef that doesn't have a ton of marbling; the low cook time means it won't melt the fat, so you'll want lean cuts.

You can flavor the dish even more by using a teaspoon of sesame oil, white rice vinegar, or add more veggies like snow peas and carrots.

You can just as easily make this recipe with chicken instead of beef. I've also tried it with pork and it was delicious.

Nutrition