Making a teriyaki beef and broccoli bowl in a rice cooker is an easy, one-pot solution for a delicious, balanced meal.
Start by cooking your rice in the cooker, then add thin slices of marinated beef and fresh broccoli on top during the final stages of cooking. The steam from the rice gently cooks the beef and broccoli, keeping them tender and flavorful.
A simple homemade teriyaki sauce—made from soy sauce, ginger, garlic, honey, and cornstarch—can be poured over the ingredients to infuse the dish with sweet, savory umami.
The rice cooker does all the work, and once the rice is fluffy and the beef and broccoli are perfectly cooked, you’ll have a hearty bowl that’s packed with nutrition and flavor.
Serve it all together, drizzling extra teriyaki sauce and garnishing with sesame seeds or green onions for a complete, satisfying meal. This method not only saves time but also cuts down on cleanup, making it a go-to for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Recommended Rice Cookers
I used short-grain white rice, often referred to as sushi rice. This type of rice is characterized by its plump, sticky grains that clump together when cooked, making it easy to pick up with chopsticks. Medium grain rice also works great, which is what I usually use.
Click on the photos of each of the respective the rice cookers to be taken to my rice cooker recommendations! I have the Tiger 5.5 cup rice cooker pictured. It can make over 10 servings of rice at a time.
While short-grain white rice is the most traditional, you can also experiment with other types of rice.
Key Features to Look For in a Rice Cooker:
Steaming Basket or Tray: Allows you to steam vegetables or cook other ingredients while the rice cooks.
Multiple Cooking Functions: Ensure it has settings for steaming, slow cooking, and possibly even baking.
Non-Stick Inner Pot: Makes cleaning easier and prevents sticking.
Timer and Keep Warm Function: Useful for planning meals ahead of time and keeping them warm until you’re ready to eat.
What Type of Rice to Use
Choosing the right type of rice can be confusing, especially with so many varieties available. From long-grain basmati to aromatic jasmine rice, each type has its own texture and flavor. In Japanese cooking, however, Japanese short-grain or medium-grain rice is almost always the go-to choice.
Short-grain rice, often labeled as sushi rice, is particularly prized for its soft and chewy texture, which pairs beautifully with traditional Japanese dishes.
Medium-grain rice is a great alternative if short-grain isn’t available (I actually almost always use medium-grain myself because it’s generally cheaper where I live!). Both are ideal for recipes like this one, where the rice’s stickiness helps meld the flavors into every bite.
Teriyaki Beef and Broccoli Bowl in a Rice Cooker
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Description
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice (I recommend Japanese short-grain or medium grain for the most authentic Japanese experience!)
- Water
- 1 lb ground beef, uncooked
- 1 cup broccoli (frozen or fresh both work great)
- 3/4 cup teriyaki sauce (you can use store-bought or make your own using the ingredients below)
- 1 avocado
- Chili crisp (for drizzling on top; optional)
- Roasted sesame seeds (for garnish; optional)
Teriyaki Sauce:
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp honey (substitute with brown sugar)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (add more or less depending on thickness preference)
Instructions
- Begin by giving your rice a good rinse to clean it. Then pour it into the rice cooker, along with the appropriate amount of water. Be sure to follow the instructions for the correct water amount depending on the type of rice you are using. I used medium-grain rice, which requires 2 cups of water for every 1.5 cups of rice.
- Skip this step if you are using store-bought teriyaki sauce. To a small sauce pan over medium heat, combine soy sauce, water, brown sugar or honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornstarch. Let it cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat.
- To a medium-sized bowl, add your ground beef and 1/2 of your teriyaki sauce. Mix to combine.
- To the rice cooker, add your broccoli and marinated ground beef. Close the rice cooker lid and cook on the regular white rice setting until done.
- Serve, and top each serving with the rest of the teriyaki sauce, half of an avocado, and some chili crisp and roasted sesame seeds as garnish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
Kyrié is a half-Japanese food content creator and avid home cook who specializes in Asian cuisine, with a focus on Japanese. She loves developing recipes and sharing approachable yet authentic meals. When she’s not in the kitchen, she’s helping her husband Jeff tend to their garden, or on some artistic venture.
4 responses to “Teriyaki Beef and Broccoli Bowl in a Rice Cooker”
This looks fantastic! I’m curious if this would translate to the instant pot rice cooker setting. What do you think?
Hi Elizabeth! I’ve had a few friends say they tried it and it worked, but I think it loses its flavor a little more. To combat that, I recommend reserving most of the teriyaki sauce for drizzling at the end instead of cooking it with the beef. Best of luck!
If we wanted to just do veg, I assume it would be the same steps but marinade/coat the veg in sauce before cooking?
Hi Sam, yes you’re right!