Instant Pot Asian Beef is a flavorful dish you can make in no time with your Instant Pot. This beef dish is tender and juicy, and the perfect meal. Top it off with some chopped spring onions and sesame seeds for added texture and flavor!
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Check out my Instant Pot Vegetable Fried Rice and my Instant Pot Chicken Curry for more great dinner ideas.
Instant Pot Asian beef is a flavorful and savory dish that is made with blend of Asian-inspired ingredients.
This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, and it's a hit with both kids and adults alike. With the Instant Pot, you can enjoy a delicious meal in the comfort of your own home, without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This recipe is simple and straightforward, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.
- The blend of Asian-inspired ingredients like reduced sodium soy sauce, dark brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic chili sauce give this dish a unique and delicious flavor that you're sure to love.
- You can serve this dish over rice or noodles, making it a versatile option that can be customized to suit your preferences.
- This recipe uses lean ground beef and reduced sodium soy sauce, making it a healthier alternative to traditional beef dishes.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté the beef, onions, ginger, and garlic in the Instant Pot.
- White Onion: Used in this dish to add flavor and texture.
- Minced Garlic: Adds flavor to the beef.
- Fresh Ginger: Adds a unique flavor and aroma to the dish.
- 90/10 Ground Beef: This refers to ground beef that is 90% lean and 10% fat. It is a leaner option than regular ground beef, making it a healthier choice.
- Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce: Using reduced sodium soy sauce helps to lower the overall sodium content of the dish.
- Dark Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dish and balance out the saltiness of the soy sauce.
- Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty and fragrant flavor to the beef.
- Garlic Chili Sauce: Adds some heat and flavor to the dish. You can adjust the amount of chili sauce based on your preferences.
- Spring Onions: Chopped spring onions are added to the beef after cooking to provide a fresh and crispy texture.
- Sesame Seeds: Used as a garnish and provide a crunchy texture to the dish.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Turn on the Instant Pot and select the "Saute" function. Add olive oil and let it heat up.
Step 2: Add ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned.
Step 3: Add diced onion, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
Step 4: Pour in reduced sodium soy sauce, dark brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic chili sauce. Stir until well combined.
Step 5: Close the Instant Pot lid and select the "Meat/Stew" function. Cook for 20 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes.
Step 6: Open the lid and stir in chopped spring onions. Serve the beef over rice or noodles and top with sesame seeds if desired.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- Use lean ground beef. Using 90/10 ground beef is ideal for this dish, as it is leaner than regular ground beef and contains less fat.
- Brown the beef well. When sautéing the beef in the Instant Pot, make sure to brown it well to create a nice crust and enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste. You can adjust the amount of garlic chili sauce and sesame oil based on your preferences. Start with a small amount and add more if you like your dish spicier or nuttier.
- Use low sodium soy sauce. Using reduced sodium soy sauce helps to lower the overall sodium content of the dish, while still providing the savory flavor that soy sauce is known for.
- Don't skip the spring onions and sesame seeds. These ingredients provide a fresh and crunchy texture to the dish, so make sure to include them when serving.
- Let the pressure release naturally. Once the beef is cooked, allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally so the meat stays tender and juicy.
Variations
- Vegetarian version: You can easily make a vegetarian version of this dish by substituting the ground beef with vegetarian ground beef or tofu.
- Spicy version: If you love spicy food, you can add more garlic chili sauce or even some red pepper flakes to the dish to increase the heat.
- Gluten-free version: To make this dish gluten-free, use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari sauce.
- Add vegetables: You can add vegetables like sliced bell peppers, broccoli, or snow peas to the dish to add more nutrition and color.
- Use different garnishes: Instead of sesame seeds, you can use chopped peanuts or cashews as a garnish for some added crunch.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Let the beef cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Let the beef cool completely and then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheating: To reheat the beef, you can microwave it or reheat it in a pot on the stovetop until it's hot. You may need to add a bit of water or broth to loosen up the sauce if it has thickened while in storage.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you can use regular soy sauce, but keep in mind that it will be saltier than using reduced-sodium soy sauce.
Yes, you can double the recipe, but make sure not to fill the Instant Pot more than ⅔ full to prevent any overflow.
Yes, you can make this recipe on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. For stovetop, cook the beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned, then add the remaining ingredients and simmer for about 15-20 minutes. For a slow cooker, brown the beef in a skillet, then transfer to the slow cooker along with the remaining ingredients and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
Yes, you can omit the garlic chili sauce if you don't like spicy food. The dish will still be flavorful without it.
More Instant Pot Recipes
You can also find my FREE Instant Pot cheat sheets here.
Easy Instant Pot Asian Beef
Special Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds 90/10 ground beef
- ½ white onion diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
- ¾ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic chili sauce
- 1 bundle spring onions
- Sesame seeds for topping optional
Instructions
- Turn on the Instant Pot and select the "Saute" function. Add olive oil and let it heat up.
- Add ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned.
- Add diced onion, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in reduced sodium soy sauce, dark brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic chili sauce. Stir until well combined.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and select the "Meat/Stew" function. Cook for 20 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes.
- Open the lid and stir in chopped spring onions. Serve the beef over rice or noodles and top with sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef. Using 90/10 ground beef is ideal for this dish, as it is leaner than regular ground beef and contains less fat.
- Brown the beef well. When sautéing the beef in the Instant Pot, make sure to brown it well to create a nice crust and enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste. You can adjust the amount of garlic chili sauce and sesame oil based on your preferences. Start with a small amount and add more if you like your dish spicier or nuttier.
- Use low sodium soy sauce. Using reduced sodium soy sauce helps to lower the overall sodium content of the dish, while still providing the savory flavor that soy sauce is known for.
- Don't skip the spring onions and sesame seeds. These ingredients provide a fresh and crunchy texture to the dish, so make sure to include them when serving.
- Let the pressure release naturally. Once the beef is cooked, allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally so the meat stays tender and juicy.
- Storing: Let the beef cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Let the beef cool completely and then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: To reheat the beef, you can microwave it or reheat it in a pot on the stovetop until it's hot. You may need to add a bit of water or broth to loosen up the sauce if it has thickened while in storage.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Kathryn Donangelo
I can NOT wait to try this easy Asian Beef recipe. The looks sooo much better than takeout!
Toni
This is so tasty and comforting! Such a perfect meal for weeknights cause it is so easy to make, too!