How to Cook Perfect Beef Tips in an Instant Pot

Beef tips cooked in an instant pot result in fork-tender chunks of beef in a rich, flavorful gravy. This classic comfort food dish takes just over an hour from start to finish thanks to the time-saving power of the instant pot. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have a hearty, tasty meal ready in no time.

What Are Beef Tips?

Beef tips refer to small chunks of beef, usually cut from sirloin or chuck roast They are sometimes labeled as “stew meat” at the grocery store Opt for chunks that are about 1-2 inches in size. This size gives the meat the most surface area for maximum tenderness as it cooks down with the gravy in the instant pot.

Benefits of Using an Instant Pot

Cooking beef tips in an instant pot has several advantages over traditional stovetop braising:

• Speed – Pressure cooking reduces cook time significantly, with tender beef tips ready in just 25-35 minutes. Browning on the stovetop followed by pressure cooking minimizes active cooking time.

• Flavor – The closed environment concentrates flavors as the beef cooks The meat soaks up the seasoned broth, resulting in beef infused with delicious flavor

• Convenience – With an instant pot, there’s no need to simmer a pot on the stove for hours. The pot does the work for you with minimal monitoring required

• ** Versatility** – Play around with flavors! Try different spices, veggies, or mix up the liquid. The instant pot handles it all.

Tips for the Best Instant Pot Beef Tips

Follow these tips for foolproof, delicious instant pot beef tips every time:

• Pat the beef dry before searing to help it brown properly. Moisture creates steam which prevents browning.

• Don’t crowd the pot when searing the beef in batches. Too much meat lowers the temperature and inhibits browning.

• Use a slurry to thicken the gravy at the end. Mix cornstarch and cold water then stir into the gravy to reach the perfect thickness.

• Let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes before quick releasing. This allows the meat to continue to tenderize without overcooking.

• Skim the fat from the gravy after cooking if desired. The fat will float to the top and can easily be skimmed off using a spoon.

Step-by-Step Instant Pot Beef Tips Recipe

Follow these simple steps for fork-tender beef tips and savory gravy ready in about an hour.

Prep ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef tips
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1⁄2 cup red wine (optional)
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• 3 Tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1⁄4 cup cold water (for slurry)

Instructions:

1. Pat beef tips dry and season all over with salt and pepper. Dredge lightly in flour, shaking off any excess.

2. Select SAUTE on instant pot. Once hot, add 1 Tbsp olive oil. Working in batches, sear beef tips until browned on all sides, about 1-2 minutes per batch. Transfer browned beef to a plate.

3. Add remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil if needed. Add onions and cook until soft, 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.

4. Pour in beef broth and red wine, using a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

5. Return beef tips and any juices to pot. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and thyme.

6. Secure lid and set valve to SEALING. Select MANUAL and set time to 25-35 minutes on high pressure, depending on size of beef tips.

7. Allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes after cooking completes. Then quickly release remaining pressure.

8. Remove lid. Select SAUTE and bring gravy to a simmer.

9. In a small bowl, mix together cornstarch and cold water. Pour slurry into gravy, stirring constantly. Cook until gravy thickens, 1-2 minutes.

10. Taste gravy and season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve beef tips and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

And that’s it – easy, delicious beef tips ready in about an hour thanks to the instant pot! The meat turns out incredibly tender and soaked with flavorful gravy.

Variations and Substitutions

One of the great things about this recipe is how customizable it is. Try out these variations:

• Use chuck roast or top sirloin instead of plain sirloin for the beef.

• Substitute beef stock for the broth or use 2 bouillon cubes.

• Skip the red wine and use all broth or stock.

• Add sliced mushrooms, carrots, celery or other veggies.

• Use 2 Tbsp soy sauce instead of Worcestershire.

• Play around with different spice blends like Italian seasoning or steak seasoning.

• Serve over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice, or biscuits instead.

More Instant Pot Beef Recipes to Try

If you love how convenient and delicious the instant pot is for cooking beef, give these recipes a try:

• Pot Roast – Classic comfort food made easy in the instant pot. Cooks up fork-tender in under an hour.

• Beef Stew – Seared beef chunks, potatoes, carrots and more create the ultimate hearty stew quickly in the instant pot.

• Beef Bourguignon – All the richness of traditional French beef stew without the long cook time.

• Beef Stroganoff – Tender beef strips in a creamy mushroom sauce – ready in under 30 minutes in the instant pot.

• BBQ Beef Ribs – Fall-off-the-bone tender beef ribs smothered in sticky, sweet BBQ sauce.

• Corned Beef – Cook your own corned beef brisket for sandwiches in about an hour.

FAQs

What cut of beef is best for instant pot beef tips?

Sirloin or chuck roast work well since they have good marbling. Cut them into 1-2 inch chunks for the most tender results. Avoid super lean cuts like tenderloin since they may turn out dry.

How can I thicken up the gravy?

Use a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch and cold water then adding it to the gravy at the end once the meat is cooked. Simmer for 1-2 minutes to reach the perfect thickness.

Is it necessary to sear the meat first?

Browning the beef is an important first step as it adds deeper flavor to the dish. The fond left behind in the pot after searing also helps flavor the gravy.

Can I double this recipe in my 6 quart instant pot?

It’s best not to max out the capacity of the instant pot to allow space for the pressure cooking process to work properly. For a 6 quart, stick with 2 pounds of beef tips as the recipe states.

How long does it take to come to pressure?

The time it takes to pressurize depends on factors like pot size and contents, but generally 10-15 minutes is average. This time is built into the overall cook time given.

Can I use stew meat instead of cutting up my own beef?

Absolutely! Pre-cut stew meat or beef tips from the store work perfectly. Cubed chuck roast also substitutes well. Just watch the cook time based on size.

With just a few easy steps, you can have the most tender, flavorful beef tips ready to enjoy in about an hour by using the instant pot. Dredge, sear, and pressure cook before mixing up an easy slurry to finish the gravy. This classic comfort food is easy and delicious any night of the week thanks to the time-saving power of the instant pot.