Instant Pot Cheater Korean Beef and Brown Rice–a quick version of a classic recipe made in your electric pressure cooker. The best part is that the beef and rice cook at the same time in the same Instant Pot.
Get the SLOW COOKER version of the recipe here
Instant Pot Cheater Korean Beef and Brown Rice
One of my favorite slow cooker recipes that is on my blog is the slow cooker korean beef. It is super fast to make and the meat is seasoned perfectly. Not too sweet, not too salty, not too much heat but just the right amount of spiciness. I decided to try to make the beef and the rice in the Instant Pot at the same time. I’ve used this method with a few other recipes such as the Hawaiian Haystacks and the Honey Garlic Chicken and Rice.
Basically the method is to put a portion of the meal (such as the rice) in the bottom of the Instant Pot and then put an oven safe dish on top of the rice that contains the meat and sauce. Then set the timer on your Instant Pot and come back when it’s done. I like this method because it works to get two things cooked at the same time. After cooking rice in my Instant Pot it’s the only way I want to cook it! It turns out so well every single time…especially usually fussy brown rice.
One thing that really worked well for me was to spray my Instant Pot with nonstick cooking spray. This ensured that the rice didn’t stick to the bottom of the pot and waste half the batch of rice. I also wanted to let you know that I used a 1 1/2 quart corningware dish to cook my meat in. It worked really well but if you have another oven safe dish that fits inside, you can use that instead.
More recipes with ground beef
- Instant Pot Bacon BBQ Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes
- Slow Cooker 15 Bean Beefy Chili with Cajun Lime Sour Cream
- Instant Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff from Julie’s Eats and Treats
- Pressure Cooker Vegetable Beef and Rice Soup from Pressure Cooking Today
What Instant Pot Did You Use?
For Instant Pot Cheater Korean Beef and Brown Rice I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1 for this recipe. I also own the 6 quart Instant Pot IP-LUX60 V3 Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker. They are both great pressure cookers! The first one I mentioned has a yogurt making function but other than that they are fairly similar. The price difference between the two is about $20.
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Instant Pot Cheater Korean Beef and Brown Rice
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes, plus time to come to pressure and time to release pressure
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A quick version of a classic recipe made in your electric pressure cooker. The best part is that the beef and rice cook at the same time in the same Instant Pot.
Ingredients
For the rice:
- 1 1/2 cups long grain brown rice
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the beef:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground red pepper
- 2 tsp minced ginger
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 lb lean ground beef (I used 91% lean ground beef)
- Sliced green onions, for garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Spray the bottom of the Instant Pot with non-stick cooking spray. This will help with sticking rice and clean up. Pour the rice, water, and salt in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- In an oven safe dish that fits inside your Instant Pot stir together the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, red pepper, minced ginger and tomato paste. Add in the ground beef and break the beef up with a spoon. Stir to coat the beef with the sauce.
- Place the oven safe dish on top of the trivet. Carefully lower the trivet and dish on top of the rice/water in the bottom of the Instant pot.
- Cover the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is on “sealing.” Set the timer on manual (high pressure) for 22 minutes. When the timer beeps let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes and then release any pressure that is left by moving the valve to “venting.”
- Using oven mitts, carefully remove the trivet and dish out of the instant pot. The bottom of the trivet will have some rice kernels on it. Stir the beef and break it up with a spoon. Scoop a portion of rice onto a plate and then top with the beef and a bit of the juices. Top with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
I used this Instant Pot for this recipe.
Click here for a SLOW COOKER version of this recipe.
Recipe adapted from The Girl Who Ate Everything
- Method: Instant Pot
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I was nervous about doing this one in the Instant Pot with the threat of a burn notice, so I cooked the beef with the sauce on the stovetop and prepared the rice separately. That said, the flavor of the sauce is still really good, and that’s what’s important. So I definitely give this a thumbs up.
★★★★
so glad it worked out for you!
We loved this! I used metal stacking pans for a pot-in-pot situation for both the rice and the beef. Worked great and made clean-up easy (only had to dump out the steaming water!) and leftovers went straight to the fridge in the cooking vessels. My only negative (and I expected this) is there is no rendering of the ground beef fat before cooking. Thus, I had to spoon off a bit of grease after cooking. However, the overall dish is great so, despite that, it still gets 5 stars!!!!
★★★★★
So glad it worked like this! Made the clean up so easy!
I made this on Sunday and loved it! The only thing I will change next time is to cook the rice and beef together.
★★★★★
Nice! so happy to hear you liked it and it is a “make again” recipe 🙂
Tonna Dedon did you try cooking the beef and rice together? If so, how did it turn out?
Can this recipe be doubled for a large group? Or any suggestions of sides? We love this recipe and I’d like to keep it in the rotation while our family is growing!
yes you can double it!
Hi Karen –
The 1.5 quart Corningware dish with glass lid is no longer available. Do you ever use the glass lid in the oven – I assume you don’t in the IP – or is it just a nice lid but we don’t need it? The measurements are the same. (Actually you can buy the one with glass lid but from sellers who have doubled the price or more since it’s no longer readily available on Amazon. No thank you, right?!) Thanks.
Hi Beth, I don’t use the lid. I do now suggest this pan for pot in pot cooking: Fat daddios pan: 7 inch by 3 inch http://amzn.to/2EH7OR8
Looks great – and very inexpensive. I actually have stacking stainless steel pot-in-pot pans for the IP that have never been used! You know the type. Maybe one would work on its own – unless you think the size or some other aspect of the Fat Daddios would work better? Thanks, Karen.
that would be great!
Hi, could I possibly cook the beef and rice together or does the rice have to be cooked in a separate container?
Sadiya
Sure I bet that would work. Add water and rice to pot along with korean beef ingredients. Should work!
Hi Karen. First I want to say that I absolutely LOVE your website and have made several of your delicious and easy recipes. So my question is, can I substitute brown rice noodles or soba noodles for the rice and if so, how would I go about doing that? Thank you.
I also recieved a burn notice, cleaned the bottom, got another one.
When I opened it up after the 1st burn notice, I added sliced red pepper and some pineapple.
I guess I would try the earlier suggestion of cooking the beef in the bottom and the rice in a bowl on top.
Or I may try stacking bowls with water in the bottom.
Anyway, the taste is great and despite the burn notice issue, it’s a very easy recipe with little effort needed.
My kind of meal.
Thank you!
Sorry about the burn notice but so glad you enjoyed it!
Help!!! Hoping you or one of your readers can help me figure out why I get the Burn notice so often! I used to have a Lux and just upgraded to the Duo. I NEVER EVER got the burn notice in the Lux and now with the Duo I get it ALL THE TIME! The same exact recipes, the same exact procedures and suddenly “beep beep beep beep!” I’m so frustrated! Anyone else had this scenario after switching to a Duo? Is this a defect?
***Also, the recipe? Is fabulous. Thank you for another great dinner idea =)
★★★★★
Hi Juliee, try reading this article: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/the-instant-pot-burn-message/
Thank you, that post you left the link for was really informative. I am still curious if there is something different about the Duo that is causing me to get this Burn notice so often since the same recipes in my Lux were fine. I started a ticket with customer service at IP, we’ll see what they say.
As for this recipe, it is just so good! It was a delicious meal for a busy day and we ate it before we headed to our daughter’s softball game. I couldn’t wait to come home and have more! Is it weird that I enjoyed the leftovers cold?? 😄
Not that’s not weird at all! It’s 10 am and I just sneaked a few bites of cold leftovers 🙂
I think different models are more or less sensitive. It’s annoying!
I knew this would happen to me too. Agh. The link you provided says not to put pastas or rice at the bottom, but your recipe says to do just that!
Like others I got the “burn” message BUT when I opened the lid to add more water I did a taste taste and bith the rice and the meat were perfect. (I even added an extra 1/2 cup water to the rice expecting to have an issue because I get a a lot of burn messages.) So yeah, the burn message is annoying but the meal really good. We’ll steam some broccoli for a side.
★★★★★
Hello, I am wondering … do I use the rice setting or meat setting? Also, can I use ground ginger if I don’t have ginger root? If so, how much ground ginger?
Thank you!
I used the manual/pressure cook button but you could use the meat setting. Just adjust the time according to recipe instructions. And yes you could use ground ginger. I would use 1/2 tsp.
First recipe I made with my IP. Family loved it!
★★★★
Nice Jessica! Congrats on making your first IP meal! I am confident you will love it:)
This was super easy with lots of flavor. The beef was a little dry but it may have been because it was grassfed. I was surprised the rice turned out so well…i may had added a little more water. I had to improvise with the pan for the beef even though I have a large instant pot, nothing in my kitchen fit. I do have an air fryer with a small cake pan and it sort of fit, but at an angle. Kind of precarious but it worked.
★★★★
Sounds like you are figuring it out!
Can I use cauliflower rice? I like brown rice but I’m watching my carb intake.
You can but I would cook it on the stove. I think it would overcook if you tried to pressure cook it.
Sorry, my question didn’t seem to post!
I asked, what is ground red pepper? Is it Cayenne or something in the vein of black pepper and white pepper?
Thanks!
yes cayenne will work!
Awesome! Quick, easy, tasty. It was a hit with the family!
I also sauteed shredded carrots with ginger to top it with.
★★★★★
sounds great!
I have made this recipe in my instant pot a few times now. I’ve cooked the beef with the rest of the ingredients in the bottom of the pot and then cooked a cut in half spaghetti squash on top on the trivet. Makes a great, quick, healthy meal! Thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Thanks for this suggestion! I’ll definitely follow your example!
I fixed this for lunch today. So easy and so good! I prefer white rice and fixed that separately in the microwave. I used your suggestion of adding 1/2 cup of broth and cooking 10 minutes under pressure. I was afraid it was too runny but the extra juice was perfect for the rice. I will fix again! Thanks.
★★★★★
Great Kim!
This looks so tasty! If I don’t use rice, could I just cook the beef in the instant pot without the pyrex and will it change the cooking time? Thank you!
★★★★★
You’ll need some liquid for the beef to come to pressure. You’ll probably be good with 1/2 cup of broth. I would do 10 minutes pressure cook time.
I made this using Canadian Maple Syrup instead of brown sugar. I also cooked about half the meat in a pan so I could drain off any fat and ended up using a pan to crisp up the meat from the IP. I haven’t tried the rice yet but the meat is delicious, slightly spicy, slightly sweet and very savory.
★★★★
Canadian maple syrup yummmo
I got the burn notice twice 🙁 in between I washed the instant pot and added more liquid. Not sure what I did wrong
Bummer! What size pot were you using?
I have a question about this recipe. Can I use less sugar or sugar substitute?
And can I use those double stainless pots that are sold on Amazon for pot in pot with the same results? Or add more time?
Thank you. This recipe looks delicious.
The stainless steel will work great! You could try a sugar sub…I’m not sure how it would turn out but it’s worth a shot 🙂
I am not sure what to use inside the Ip to keep rice and beef separated. I have the pressure cooker xl, not IP.
Any ideas??
Do you have a 7 inch cake pan that would fit inside or a pyrex or corningware dish?
Wanted to let you know I tried this but “flipped” the rice and beef in the IP with the beef being in the bottom and the rice in a bowl. I have gotten the ‘burn’ notice with rice on the bottom of the IP and HATE to have to try to fix it so we have an edible dinner and thought this was worth a try. I followed your directions but just put the beef in the bottom of the IP and put the rice in a dish on the rack over the beef. I questioned if there was enough liquid but forged on. Unfortunately, I got the burn notice. So, I added another 3/4 cup of liquid to the beef (on the bottom) thinking it would just give me more gravy to put over my rice. It worked perfectly! I used white rice, did a high pressure cook for 7 min with a 10 min natural pressure release and everything was done. Made a quick slurry with cornstarch to thicken up the juice around the meat and served it to the family. Everyone loved it. I actually am glad I added that extra water as it made even more delicious gravy to go over the rice. The flavor is great and it is so easy to use ground beef for a quick variation to traditional Korean beef recipes. Thank you for another quick, easy recipe.
★★★★★
Thanks for sharing your experience and cooking tip Marcia! Sounds awesome.
Ok I just have to say it, did anyone see the hair on the bottom right next to green onions?!
oh man…now I’ll never be able to look at this recipe the same. wah!!
Or you could claim it’s a thread thingy from the green onions. That’s the story I’d go with. It could happen!
That actually might be what it is lol!!!
Nope. I can’t see it.
Would you add more time if the ground beef is frozen?
Nope, the pot will just take more time to come to pressure.
I made this following he recipe exactly and it was very good.
I made it a second time and used thinly sliced steak which was also good.
★★★★★
YUM!
Do you cover the oven safe dish or leave it uncovered in the IP?
You can do either way!
This was tasty, quick, and easy! I made this with ground turkey as that is what I had and I used crushed garlic but didn’t put in ginger as I had run out. I broke up the turkey afterwards as it has become 1 clump. I love that the rice and meat cooked at once! It was tasty and both of my boys asked for seconds, they are 2 and 4, and they have been a little picky lately so it’s definitely a good sign. I’ll be making this again.
★★★★
Awesome to hear! It’s such a win when you can find food your kids like 🙂
Hello!,
Would this recipe work pot in pot style? I have some that stack and rice works great in them.
Thanks!
Yes, I think that would work great! I’d love to see what you use. Do you have a link to it?
ekovana Stackable Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker Steamer Insert Pans – Instant Pot in Pot Accessories – Fits 5,6 & 8 qt instant pot https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M130JJL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_EZGhAbFG8D3FG
Hi could use white rice instead joe long would I cook it for thanks
Sure, use 1 cup rice to 1.5 cup water ratio and cook for 10 minutes.
Could you make the rice in the bowl and the meat outside the bowl? It seems like every time I cook rice in my Instant Pot it sticks- even if I spray before.
I think you could. I’m not sure, though, if the cooking time would change. I’ll have to try it and see if it works. Let me know if you end up trying it and what happens!
I don’t care for brown rice. Can I substitute white, if so, how long would you recommend cooking it?
Try 7 minutes for the white rice.
Will the meat cook in 7 minutes?
Yep it will be just fine!
Ooooooh, this was divine! I have an 8 quart Instant Pot and I tripled the beef recipe. This sauce was perfect! I used white rice and adjusted the time accordingly. I can’t wait to make it again.
★★★★★
Thanks Christine! I love this recipe too 🙂
Did you use the trivet that came with the IP? I’m trying to figure out how that would work, because it seems the rice and water would go right through the metal of the trivet and make a mess. I wish I had a trivet that had taller legs!
It just sits on the top and there is a bit of a mess. I used the one that came with it.
Do you put the beef on raw or cook it first??
raw!
So smart to cook the rice and the beef at the same time. Thanks for linking to my recipe. b
🙂
Hi,
Two quick questions:
1. When you measured your rice did you use a regular measuring cup or did you use the rice cup that comes with the IP?
2. Would doubling the recipe change the cook time? (I have an 8 qt IP)
Thanks!
Regular measuring cup…I would keep the cooking time the same.
I have a 3 qt mini …… timing should be the same if I cut the recipe in half correct?
This sounds delish!
yes!
Would the directions be the same if you didn’t cook the rice in the instapot? I have a rice cooker and prefer to make my rice in there. Thanks!
I would just put a cup of water in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Then place the meat in the dish on top of the trivet and cook for 20 minutes. I don’t think there is enough liquid to cook just the meat and the sauce in the bottom of the pot.
Hi Karen,
I’m new to the instant pot world and would love to try this recipe tonight. Is pyrex a good brand of dishware to use on top of a trivet? Also, have you tried using frozen ground beef or does it have to be thawed?
I use pyrex a lot and it works great. I haven’ tried frozen with this particular recipe but I bet it would work.