Transform your kitchen into a hub of culinary delight with a super easy, incredibly delicious, and budget-friendly Sunday dinner! Introducing our **Instant Pot Beef Tips** with a rich, savory gravy. This recipe promises melt-in-your-mouth tender beef, cooked to perfection in your pressure cooker, making it an ideal meal for any day of the week. Forget long hours of simmering; achieve restaurant-quality results in a fraction of the time. Serve this comforting dish over creamy mashed potatoes, hearty noodles, or fluffy rice for a truly satisfying experience that the whole family will love.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with Instant Pot Beef Tips!
Traditionally, beef tips, also known as steak tips, are celebrated for their deep flavor and comforting texture, often requiring a lengthy slow simmer to achieve optimal tenderness when served in a luscious brown gravy. While a classic Sunday dinner, the time commitment often reserves it for special occasions. However, the game changes entirely with the Instant Pot! This innovative pressure cooker transforms the dish into an incredibly quick and convenient meal, perfect for even the busiest weeknights without compromising on flavor or tenderness.
Here’s why these Instant Pot Beef Tips will become a staple in your meal rotation:
- Unbeatable Tenderness, Fast: The magic of pressure cooking significantly reduces the cooking time. What usually takes hours on the stovetop or in a slow cooker is achieved in mere minutes, resulting in unbelievably tender beef tips that practically melt in your mouth.
- Rich, Deep Flavor: By browning the meat directly in the Instant Pot and then cooking it with aromatic ingredients like onion, Worcestershire sauce, and beef stock, you build layers of complex flavor. The pressure cooking process infuses the beef with these savory notes, creating a gravy that is truly irresistible.
- Effortless Preparation: This is one of the easiest pressure cooker dinners you can whip up. It involves just a few straightforward steps: a quick sear of the meat, adding your liquid and seasonings, pressure cooking, and a final quick thickening of the gravy. Minimal hands-on time means more time for you!
- Budget-Friendly: Beef tips are often a more economical cut of meat compared to premium steaks, but with the Instant Pot, they become exceptionally tender and flavorful, offering gourmet taste without the gourmet price tag.
- Versatile Serving Options: The savory beef and rich gravy pair perfectly with a variety of sides. Whether you prefer classic mashed potatoes, wide egg noodles, fluffy white rice, or even a low-carb alternative like mashed cauliflower, this dish is wonderfully adaptable.
- Family Favorite: This hearty and comforting meal is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The rich flavors and tender meat appeal to all ages, making it an excellent choice for family dinners.
Say goodbye to long cooking times and hello to a delicious, quick, and easy beef tips dinner that tastes like you’ve been simmering it all day!
Essential Ingredients for Tender Instant Pot Beef Tips
Crafting perfectly tender and flavorful Instant Pot Beef Tips starts with selecting quality ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each component is vital for this delicious dish:
- Beef Tips (1 to 2 lbs): These tender cuts are typically sourced from the sirloin or tenderloin, offering a lean yet flavorful base for your meal. Look for uniformly sized chunks, about 1-2 inches, to ensure even cooking. If you can’t find “beef tips,” stew meat or chuck roast cut into similar pieces can work, though cooking time might vary slightly.
- Olive Oil (2 tablespoons): Used for browning the meat. A good quality olive oil adds a subtle richness and helps achieve a beautiful sear on the beef, which is crucial for developing deep flavor through the Maillard reaction.
- Seasoning (1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried marjoram): This classic combination elevates the natural taste of the beef and creates an aromatic foundation for the gravy. Salt enhances flavor, pepper adds a mild kick, and thyme and marjoram contribute earthy, slightly floral notes that are traditional in savory beef dishes.
- Beef Stock or Broth (2 cups + ¼ cup for slurry): This forms the rich liquid base for your gravy. Choose a good quality, low-sodium beef stock to control the saltiness of the final dish. The initial 2 cups are for pressure cooking, while the extra ¼ cup is essential for creating a smooth cornstarch slurry for thickening.
- Small Onion (1, chopped): Onions are a foundational aromatic in many savory dishes, releasing sweet and pungent flavors as they cook, adding depth and complexity to the gravy.
- Worcestershire Sauce (1 tablespoon): A secret weapon for adding a powerful umami punch. Just a tablespoon can transform the gravy, contributing a savory, tangy, and slightly sweet depth that is unmistakable.
- Cornstarch (4 tablespoons): This is your thickening agent for the gravy. When mixed with a cold liquid (like beef stock or water) to form a slurry, it creates a smooth, glossy, and perfectly thick sauce without any lumps.
These carefully selected ingredients work in harmony to create a dish that is both simple to prepare and exquisitely flavorful, making your Instant Pot Beef Tips an instant classic.
Mastering Instant Pot Beef Tips: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making tender, flavorful beef tips in your Instant Pot is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect meal every time:
- Prepare the Beef: Begin by patting your beef tips dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving a good sear. Then, season the meat generously with kosher salt and black pepper, ensuring an even coating on all sides.
- Brown the Meat: Place the stainless steel insert into your Instant Pot. Press the “Sauté” setting and allow it to heat up for a few minutes until it reads “Hot.” Add the olive oil to the pot. Once shimmering, add the seasoned beef tips in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Brown the meat on all sides until a nice crust forms; you’re not cooking it through, just building flavor. Remove the browned beef to a plate and set aside.
- Deglaze the Pot: With the pot still on “Sauté,” pour in a small splash (about ¼ cup) of beef stock. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. This process, called deglazing, is vital for preventing the “BURN” message on your Instant Pot and infusing the liquid with rich, caramelized flavors from the beef.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Turn off the “Sauté” function. Add the chopped onion, dried thyme, dried marjoram, the remaining beef stock (1 ¾ cups), and Worcestershire sauce to the pot. Stir well to combine. Finally, return the browned beef tips to the Instant Pot, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the liquid.
- Pressure Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and ensure the sealing valve is set to the “Sealing” position (newer models often seal automatically). Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” setting and set the timer for 15 minutes. The Instant Pot will take some time to build pressure before the cooking countdown begins.
- Natural Pressure Release (NPR): Once the pressure cooking cycle is complete, press the “Cancel/Off” button. Crucially, do NOT manually release the pressure. Allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally (NPR). This process typically takes 12 to 15 minutes and is essential for ensuring the beef tips remain incredibly tender and juicy, preventing them from becoming tough. The float valve will drop when all pressure has been released.
- Thicken the Gravy: Once the pressure pin has dropped, carefully open the lid away from your face to avoid hot steam. Remove the tender beef tips from the pot and set them aside on a plate. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with ¼ cup of room temperature beef stock or water until a smooth slurry forms. Turn the Instant Pot back to the “Sauté” setting. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering liquid in the pot, stirring continuously. Simmer for a few minutes until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
- Serve and Enjoy: Return the beef tips to the thickened gravy, stirring gently to coat. Serve immediately over your choice of mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles, and savor this comforting and easy Instant Pot meal!
Pro Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Beef Tips!
- The Power of Deglazing: As mentioned in the instructions, always deglaze the bottom of your Instant Pot after browning the meat. Those delicious browned bits are packed with flavor, and scraping them off prevents the dreaded “BURN” message, ensuring your Instant Pot functions correctly and your meal cooks perfectly. Use a wooden spoon, never metal, to protect the non-stick coating of your inner pot.
- Embrace Natural Pressure Release (NPR): Resist the urge to do a quick release! Allowing the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 12-15 minutes (or even fully) is paramount for tender beef. This slow release allows the muscle fibers to relax, resulting in incredibly juicy, fork-tender meat rather than tough, chewy pieces.
- Batch Browning for Flavor: Don’t overcrowd the pot when browning the beef. Overcrowding lowers the temperature of the pot, steaming the meat instead of searing it, which means you lose out on those rich, caramelized flavors. Work in batches to ensure each piece gets a beautiful, deep brown crust.
- Seasoning to Taste: While the recipe provides a great starting point, always taste your gravy before serving. You might want to add a little more salt, pepper, or a dash of Worcestershire sauce to perfectly match your preferences.
- Choosing Your Beef: While sirloin tips are ideal for tenderness, cuts like chuck roast or round steak, when diced into 1-2 inch pieces, can also work wonderfully in the Instant Pot thanks to the pressure. These cuts will become incredibly tender under pressure.
- Storage and Reheating: Leftovers are fantastic! Store any unused portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a small saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat, or use the “Sauté” setting on your Instant Pot for a few minutes, adding a splash of beef broth or water if the gravy has thickened too much.
- Make Ahead Option: This dish is excellent for meal prep. Cook a larger batch and portion it out for quick and easy lunches or dinners throughout the week. The flavors often deepen overnight.
- Adjusting Gravy Consistency: If your gravy isn’t thick enough after simmering with the cornstarch slurry, you can add another tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with an equal part cold water, stirring it in and simmering for another minute. If it’s too thick, simply stir in a bit more beef stock or water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Beef Tips
Beef tips, also frequently referred to as steak tips, are typically tender cuts of meat, often derived from the sirloin, tenderloin, or flap steak. They are cut into larger, bite-sized chunks, distinguishing them slightly from traditional stew meat. While often used interchangeably with stew beef in recipes, beef tips generally come from more tender parts of the animal and are designed for quicker cooking methods while retaining their succulence.
The secret to incredibly tender beef tips lies in the method of cooking, and that’s precisely where the Instant Pot shines! Pressure cooking excels at breaking down tough muscle fibers quickly, transforming even leaner cuts into unbelievably soft, melt-in-your-mouth morsels. With the Instant Pot, you achieve results akin to slow-simmering for hours, but in a fraction of the time, and with minimal hands-on effort. The natural pressure release (NPR) stage is also critical here, allowing the meat to relax and reabsorb juices for maximum tenderness.
For me, there’s no better pairing for meat and gravy than a generous mound of creamy mashed potatoes—it’s an absolute classic combo! However, this versatile dish is wonderful with many other sides. Consider serving it over wide egg noodles to soak up every drop of that delicious gravy, or with fluffy white or brown rice for a comforting meal. For a keto-friendly or lighter option, mashed cauliflower makes an excellent substitute that still provides that satisfying texture. Steamed green beans or a simple side salad also offer a nice contrast.
Absolutely! This recipe is perfectly scalable and works wonderfully in smaller Instant Pot models. In fact, it was developed and tested in a mini 3-quart pressure cooker, making it ideal for smaller households, individual portions, or when you just don’t need to cook for a crowd. Just ensure your ingredients fit comfortably and you follow the liquid ratios. It’s a great way to utilize your smaller appliance for delicious meals!
The ‘BURN’ message typically appears when there are bits of food stuck to the bottom of the inner pot, which can scorch. To prevent this, always ensure you thoroughly deglaze the pot after browning the meat. Add a splash of beef stock and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom before adding the rest of your liquids and sealing the lid. If you do get a ‘BURN’ message, carefully release the pressure, open the lid, scrape the bottom, and add a little more liquid before attempting to pressure cook again.
Discover More Instant Pot Dinner Recipes:
- Instant Pot Pot Roast
- Instant Pot Meatloaf
- Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
- Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches
If you try this delightful recipe and love it, be sure to let me know in the comments below! Don’t forget to rate it if you enjoyed it as much as we did!
Instant Pot Beef Tips
Author: Anna
Make an easy Sunday dinner in your pressure cooker! Instant Pot Beef Tips with gravy are tender, delicious, and budget-friendly. Serve the meat and gravy over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Pressure Release: 15 mins (Natural Release)
Total Time: 45 mins
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 282 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 lbs beef tips
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups beef stock or broth
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup beef stock or water (for the slurry)
Instructions
- Season beef tips generously with 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- Ensure the stainless steel insert is in your Instant Pot. Press the “Sauté” setting and wait a few minutes until the pot indicates it’s hot.
- Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the Instant Pot.
- Add the seasoned beef tips in batches to avoid overcrowding, and brown on all sides until a nice crust forms. Remove the browned meat to a plate.
- Pour a small splash (about ¼ cup) of beef stock into the hot pot. Use a wooden spoon to deglaze the bottom, scraping up any cooked-on bits from the meat. This prevents a “BURN” message and adds flavor.
- Turn off “Sauté.” Add the chopped onion, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried marjoram, the remaining beef stock, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Return the browned beef to the pot, ensuring it’s mostly submerged.
- Close the lid, set the sealing valve to “Sealing” (or allow newer models to do so automatically), then press “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual”) and set the timer to 15 minutes. The Instant Pot will then begin to build pressure.
- Once the cooking cycle finishes, press the “Cancel/Off” button. Allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally (NPR). This crucial step takes approximately 12 to 15 minutes and ensures the meat is tender, not tough.
- After the pressure pin drops, carefully open the lid away from your face to avoid hot steam.
- Remove the cooked beef tips to a plate. In a small bowl, mix 4 tablespoons of cornstarch with ¼ cup of room temperature beef stock or water until smooth. Add this slurry to the liquid in the Instant Pot. Press “Sauté” again and simmer, stirring constantly, until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
- Return the beef tips to the thickened gravy, coat thoroughly, and serve immediately over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.
Notes
- Thoroughly deglazing the pot after browning is essential. It prevents the “BURN” message and ensures all those flavorful browned bits become part of your delicious gravy.
- Always allow for natural pressure release (NPR). This process of slowly releasing pressure helps the meat relax and retain moisture, resulting in truly tender beef.
- Store any leftover beef tips and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot’s “Sauté” mode, adding a splash of broth if needed.
- For even deeper flavor, consider marinating the beef tips for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) before browning.
Nutrition Information
Carbohydrates: 12g |
Protein: 28g |
Fat: 13g |
Saturated Fat: 3g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 8g |
Cholesterol: 70mg |
Potassium: 689mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 2g |
Vitamin A: 17IU |
Vitamin C: 3mg |
Calcium: 49mg |
Iron: 3mg
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