Tender Instant Pot Beef Tips

Imagine tender, succulent beef tips, slow-cooked to perfection and bathed in a rich, savory gravy. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a comforting embrace for the soul, a timeless classic that evokes warmth and satisfaction with every bite. Now, envision creating this culinary masterpiece in a fraction of the time typically required for traditional stovetop or oven methods.

This is the incredible magic of preparing **Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy**. Utilizing the power of pressure cooking, your Instant Pot transforms ordinary cuts of beef into unbelievably tender morsels without the extensive hands-on preparation and lengthy cooking times usually associated with such deeply flavorful dishes. The Instant Pot doesn’t just accelerate the cooking process; it masterfully locks in every ounce of flavor, ensuring that each spoonful is as profoundly delicious as it is wonderfully comforting. This method enhances the beef’s natural richness, allowing the aromatic herbs and spices to meld together into a truly unforgettable gravy.

Perfectly suited for bustling weeknight dinners, this recipe delivers a hearty, nourishing meal that will quickly become a cherished family favorite. It’s an ideal solution for those craving homemade comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen, proving that gourmet taste can be achieved with modern convenience.

Essential Ingredients for Succulent Instant Pot Beef Tips

Crafting perfect Instant Pot Beef Tips with rich gravy starts with selecting quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the deep, savory flavors that make this dish so irresistible. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to create this comforting classic:

• **Cooking Oil (divided):** A good quality oil, such as olive oil or vegetable oil, is essential for browning the beef and sautéing the aromatics, building the foundational flavors.
• **Beef (stew meat, sirloin, or chuck roast, cubed):** The star of our dish! While stew meat is a common choice, cubed sirloin offers a leaner, yet still tender, option. For even richer results, consider cutting up a chuck roast into uniform cubes. The pressure cooking process works wonders on these cuts, ensuring they become incredibly tender.
• **Large Sweet Onion (diced):** Onions provide a sweet and aromatic base for the gravy. As they caramelize slightly, they release sugars that add depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.
• **Garlic (minced):** Fresh minced garlic is indispensable for its pungent, aromatic qualities, infusing the dish with an irreplaceable savory kick.
• **Beef Broth:** This liquid forms the base of our luscious gravy. Opt for a high-quality, low-sodium beef broth to control the overall saltiness and enhance the beef flavor.
• **Worcestershire Sauce:** A secret weapon for umami! This sauce adds a layer of savory, slightly tangy, and sweet complexity that significantly deepens the flavor of the beef and gravy.
• **Bay Leaf:** A classic addition to stews and braises, bay leaves impart a subtle, almost minty, herbal note that complements the rich beef flavors beautifully. Remember to remove it before serving.
• **Italian Seasoning:** This blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary provides a well-rounded aromatic profile that enhances the savory characteristics of the dish.
• **Fresh Thyme Sprig (or dried thyme):** Fresh thyme adds a bright, earthy fragrance that elevates the gravy. If fresh is unavailable, dried thyme is a perfectly acceptable substitute (use 1 teaspoon dried for one fresh sprig).

For Thickening the Gravy:

• **Cornstarch:** This is our thickening agent, creating a silky, rich gravy that clings beautifully to the beef tips.
• **Water:** Used to create a smooth cornstarch slurry, preventing lumps in the gravy.

**For precise quantities and comprehensive cooking instructions, please scroll down to the detailed recipe card below.**

Mastering Instant Pot Beef Tips: A Step-by-Step Guide to Perfection

Creating these incredibly tender Instant Pot Beef Tips is a straightforward process, even for novice pressure cooker users. The key steps involve browning the beef to build flavor, sautéing aromatics, deglazing the pot, pressure cooking to achieve ultimate tenderness, and finally, thickening the gravy to a luscious consistency. Follow these detailed instructions for a perfect meal every time:

1. **Prepare and Brown the Beef:** Begin by cutting your chosen beef (stew meat, sirloin, or chuck roast) into uniform 1 to 1.5-inch cubes. This ensures even cooking. Turn your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function and add about 2 tablespoons of your cooking oil. Once hot, add half of the beef cubes to the pot in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding, as this will steam the meat instead of browning it. Season generously with salt and black pepper while browning. Let the beef sear undisturbed for 1-2 minutes until a rich crust forms, then stir and brown on the other sides for another minute or two. This browning step is crucial for developing deep, complex flavors. Remove the browned beef from the pot and set it aside. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil if needed, and repeat the browning process with the second batch of beef. Remove and set all browned beef aside.

2. **Sauté Aromatics:** With the Instant Pot still on the “Sauté” function (you might add another tiny splash of oil if the pot seems dry), add the diced sweet onion. Cook and stir the onions for about 4-5 minutes, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot (this is called deglazing and is important for flavor and preventing a “burn” notice). Continue until the onions are soft and translucent. Next, add the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
3. **Deglaze and Add Broth:** Pour about ½ cup of beef broth into the Instant Pot. Using a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, thoroughly scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen all the flavorful stuck-on bits (fond). This deglazing step is vital for two reasons: it adds incredible depth of flavor to your gravy, and it prevents the Instant Pot from displaying a “burn” error during pressure cooking. Once all the bits are scraped up, add the remaining beef broth and give it a good stir.

4. **Combine Ingredients and Season:** Return the browned beef cubes to the Instant Pot. Now it’s time to add the flavor-boosting seasonings: stir in the Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, and your fresh thyme sprig (or dried thyme). Ensure the ingredients are well distributed within the broth.

5. **Pressure Cook to Tenderness:** Secure the Instant Pot lid, making sure the sealing ring is properly in place. Rotate the steam release valve to the “Sealing” position. Set the Instant Pot to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” (High Pressure) for 23 minutes. This duration is crucial for achieving truly fork-tender beef tips.
6. **Natural Release and Prepare for Gravy:** Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes. This “Natural Pressure Release” (NPR) method helps the beef to become even more tender and prevents the meat from seizing up. After 10 minutes, carefully switch the steam release valve to “Venting” for a “Quick Release” (QR) to release any remaining pressure. Once the floating pin drops, it is safe to open the lid. Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprig from the pot, as their work is done.
7. **Thicken the Gravy:** Turn the Instant Pot back to the “Sauté” function. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and ½ cup of cold water until a smooth slurry forms. Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering beef and broth mixture in the Instant Pot, stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir for 1-2 minutes until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency. It should be rich, smooth, and beautifully coating the beef.

8. **Serve and Enjoy:** Your perfectly tender, richly flavored Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy are now ready to be served!

Delightful Serving Suggestions for Your Instant Pot Beef Tips

Elevate Your Meal: Instant Pot Beef Tips Substitutions and Creative Variations

While these Instant Pot Beef Tips are absolutely delicious as-is, the recipe also offers fantastic flexibility for customization and adding your unique touch. Don’t hesitate to experiment with these substitutions and variations to tailor the dish to your preference or what you have on hand:

• **Mushroom Magic:** For an incredible earthy depth and another layer of savory flavor, consider adding sliced mushrooms. Both white button mushrooms and cremini mushrooms would be delightful. To incorporate them, simply sauté the sliced mushrooms along with the diced onions after browning the beef. This allows them to release their moisture and deepen their flavor before the pressure cooking begins.
• **Vegetable Boost:** Want to add more vegetables? Diced carrots and celery can be sautéed with the onions to create a classic mirepoix, adding sweetness and aromatic complexity. Peas or corn can be stirred in after the pressure cooking cycle is complete, just before thickening the gravy, to add freshness and a pop of color.
• **Herbal Enhancements:** While Italian seasoning and thyme provide a wonderful base, feel free to experiment with other herbs. A touch of rosemary, sage, or a bay leaf can deepen the aromatic profile. For a brighter note, fresh parsley stirred in at the end is always a welcome addition.
• **Spice It Up:** If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the seasonings can give the gravy a subtle kick. For a bolder spice, a dash of cayenne pepper would also work well.
• **Wine for Depth:** For an even richer, more sophisticated gravy, you can deglaze the pot with about ½ cup of dry red wine (like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot) after sautéing the onions and garlic, before adding the beef broth. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce and concentrate its flavors, then proceed with adding the broth.
• **Different Beef Cuts:** As mentioned, stew meat, sirloin, and chuck roast cubes work excellently. For a slightly different texture, you could also use beef round or bottom round, cut into cubes. The pressure cooker will still work its magic to tenderize these cuts.

These simple adjustments allow you to transform the core recipe into something new and exciting, making it a truly versatile dish for any occasion. Enjoy the process of making these beef tips your own!

Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy

One of the many advantages of this Instant Pot Beef Tips recipe is how wonderfully it fares as leftovers. In fact, many believe the flavors deepen and meld even further overnight, making for an even more delicious meal the next day. Here’s how to properly store and reheat your culinary creation:

• **Refrigeration:** Allow any leftover beef tips and gravy to cool completely to room temperature before storing. Transfer them to an airtight container. This is crucial for food safety and maintaining freshness. Once properly sealed, the leftovers will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This makes them perfect for meal prepping a few lunches or quick dinners during the week.
• **Freezing for Longer Storage:** For longer storage, beef tips and gravy freeze exceptionally well. Once cooled, transfer the entire dish (beef and gravy together) into freezer-safe airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. If using bags, squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date. Frozen beef tips and gravy can be stored for up to 2-3 months without a significant loss in quality or flavor.
• **Reheating from the Refrigerator:** For a quick and easy reheat, the microwave is your best friend. Place your desired portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat on high in 1-2 minute intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until simmering and warmed throughout. If the gravy seems too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of beef broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
• **Reheating from the Freezer:** When reheating from frozen, it’s best to thaw the beef tips and gravy in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, proceed with the stovetop or microwave reheating methods as described above. If reheating directly from frozen, this is best done on the stovetop over very low heat, stirring frequently and breaking up the frozen block, adding a splash of broth or water to prevent sticking, until thoroughly heated.

With these storage and reheating tips, you can enjoy the comforting flavors of your Instant Pot Beef Tips whenever the craving strikes, making them a fantastic make-ahead meal for busy schedules.

Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Beef Tips

5 out of 5 stars (based on 68 votes)

Print Recipe

Pressure Cooker Beef Tips

Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.