Description
This Instant Pot Mongolian Beef recipe is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender flank steak coated in a sweet and savory sauce made from soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Enhanced with broccoli florets and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, this meal comes together effortlessly with the pressure cooking technique, making it perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Preparation
- 1 pound flank steak, sliced very thin (¼-inch)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Sauce
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- Green onion, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Coat the Beef: Add the thinly sliced flank steak and cornstarch to a medium bowl or plastic bag and toss until the beef is evenly coated. Allow the beef to rest at room temperature for at least 15 minutes to help tenderize it and bring it up to room temperature.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, water, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes until well combined. Set aside.
- Sear the Beef: Turn the Instant Pot to the Sauté function and heat the olive oil. Once hot, add the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding. Sear each batch for 2 minutes on one side, then flip and sear for another 2 minutes until browned.
- Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the Instant Pot with the seared beef, stirring gently to combine the beef and sauce thoroughly.
- Add the Broccoli: Place the broccoli florets on top of the beef and sauce, making sure not to stir or mix the broccoli into the sauce.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to the sealing position. Cook on Manual Pressure for 1 minute.
- Garnish and Serve: Once cooking is complete and the pressure is safely released, open the lid. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish and make it healthier.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add fresh chili slices.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the Instant Pot when searing the beef to ensure proper browning.
- Let the pressure release naturally for a few minutes after cooking, then perform a quick release to prevent overcooking.
- Thinly slicing the flank steak is critical for tenderness and quick cooking.
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles to complete the meal.
