There’s something deeply satisfying about a plate of fork-tender beef smothered in a rich, savory gravy. It’s the kind of comforting meal that brings everyone to the table. Using a pressure cooker makes preparing classic Instant Pot Beef Tips incredibly straightforward, turning a cut of beef that usually requires hours of slow simmering into a weeknight possibility. This method produces consistently succulent results without chaining you to the stove.
The magic happens inside the sealed pot, where high pressure and steam work together to break down the connective tissues in the meat, leaving you with perfectly tender bites. The gravy, built from the very same pot, captures all the flavorful browned bits and juices, creating a sauce that’s full of depth. This is a foundational dish that works for many occasions, from a simple family supper to more substantial dinner recipes for guests.
Preparing Your Ingredients for Instant Pot Beef Tips
The foundation of this dish is, of course, the beef. While the name “beef tips” might suggest using leftover pieces from a tenderloin, we achieve incredible tenderness by selecting the right cut for pressure cooking. A beef chuck roast is the ideal choice. It’s a hardworking muscle with plenty of marbling and connective tissue, which might seem counterintuitive. However, these are the very qualities that make it perfect for the Instant Pot.
Under the high pressure and moist heat of the cooker, the fat renders and the collagen in the connective tissue melts into gelatin. This process is what gives the beef its signature melt-in-your-mouth texture and contributes a rich, beefy body to the final gravy. You won’t get the same result with a leaner, more expensive cut, which can become dry and stringy when cooked this way. Look for a chuck roast that has visible veins of fat throughout the muscle.
The Importance of Searing the Beef
Before the pressure cooking begins, there is one critical step: browning the meat. Using the ‘Sauté’ function on your Instant Pot, you’ll sear the beef cubes in a little oil until they develop a deep brown crust on all sides. This isn’t just about adding color; it’s about creating flavor through the Maillard reaction. This chemical process happens when the amino acids and sugars in the meat are exposed to high heat, producing hundreds of new aromatic compounds.
Those browned bits that stick to the bottom of the pot, known as fond, are pure gold. They form the primary flavor base for your gravy. Once the meat is browned and removed, you’ll deglaze the pot with a liquid like beef broth, scraping up every last bit of that fond. This single step makes a world of difference in the final taste of your Instant Pot Beef Tips, moving it from good to truly memorable.
Building the Rich and Savory Gravy
A great gravy is what separates a simple plate of beef from a truly exceptional meal. With this Instant Pot Beef Tips recipe, the gravy is built right in the same pot, layering flavors as you go. After you’ve seared the beef and set it aside, the process of creating the gravy base begins.
The ‘Sauté’ function remains your best friend here. You’ll typically add aromatics like chopped onion, garlic, and sometimes carrots or celery to the pot. These vegetables soften in the rendered beef fat, releasing their own sweetness and fragrance. As they cook, they help lift any remaining browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Once the vegetables are soft and fragrant, you’ll introduce liquids like beef broth and perhaps a splash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce for an added touch of umami.
Seasoning and Thickening the Sauce
The seasonings for the gravy are simple but important. Salt, black pepper, and some dried herbs like thyme or a bay leaf are all you need to complement the beefy flavor. These are added before the pot is sealed, allowing the flavors to meld with the meat and broth during the pressure cooking cycle. Avoid adding too much salt initially; you can always adjust the seasoning at the end.
After the pressure cooking is complete and the beef is perfectly tender, the final step is to thicken the cooking liquid into a lush gravy. This is easily done by making a slurry of cornstarch and cold water. With the Instant Pot set back to ‘Sauté,’ you’ll slowly whisk the slurry into the simmering liquid. Within a minute or two, the sauce will transform into a glossy, beautiful gravy that clings perfectly to each piece of beef.
Executing the Perfect Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe
With your beef seared and your gravy base ready, it’s time to let the Instant Pot take over. The beef is returned to the pot and submerged in the flavorful liquid. You’ll secure the lid, set the valve to ‘Sealing,’ and program the cooker. For 2-inch cubes of chuck roast, a high-pressure cooking time of about 20-25 minutes is usually sufficient. This might seem short, but it’s the equivalent of hours of slow simmering on the stovetop.
Once the cooking cycle finishes, it’s crucial to let the pressure release naturally for at least 15 minutes. A quick release can cause the meat to tense up and become tough. This resting period allows the muscle fibers to relax and reabsorb the juices, ensuring the beef remains tender. While the beef is cooking, you’ll have plenty of time to prepare your side dishes or even whip up a quick dessert like some fun frosted lucky charms cookies.
Finishing and Serving Your Dish
After the natural pressure release, you can open the pot. The aroma alone will tell you something wonderful has happened. At this point, you’ll remove the tender beef tips with a slotted spoon and set them aside. Turn the Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode to bring the liquid to a gentle boil. This is when you’ll whisk in your cornstarch slurry to create the final gravy. Let it simmer for just a minute or two until it reaches your desired thickness. Remember to taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper one last time before serving. This attention to detail finalizes the perfect beef tips and gravy recipe.
Serving and Storing Your Instant Pot Beef
The classic and arguably best way to serve Instant Pot Beef Tips is ladled generously over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes. The potatoes are the perfect vehicle for soaking up every last drop of the savory gravy. Fluffy white rice or buttery egg noodles are also excellent choices that provide a wonderful contrast in texture and a neutral base for the rich flavors of the beef and gravy.
For a complete meal, consider adding a simple green vegetable on the side. Steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a simple garden salad with a light vinaigrette can provide a fresh, crisp counterpoint to the richness of the main dish. The vibrant color also makes for a more appealing plate. No matter what you choose to serve it with, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a standout for any collection of family-style dinner recipes.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors actually continue to meld and can taste even better the next day. The gravy may thicken slightly when chilled; it will loosen up again upon reheating.
To reheat, you can gently warm the beef tips and gravy in a saucepan over medium-low heat until heated through. You can also use a microwave, heating in short intervals and stirring in between to prevent the beef from becoming tough. The leftovers make a fantastic quick lunch or an easy second dinner.
Instant Pot Beef Tips
This recipe provides the steps for incredibly tender beef and a rich gravy, all made in one pot.
Instant Pot Beef Tips & Gravy: Delicious & Tender
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms sliced (optional)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cold water
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss the beef stew meat with 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper until evenly coated.
- Set your Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, add the beef in batches, browning on all sides. Do not overcrowd the pot. Remove browned beef and set aside.
- Add the chopped yellow onion to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and sliced cremini mushrooms (if using) and cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in a splash of beef broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. This prevents a ‘Burn’ error.
- Return the browned beef to the Instant Pot. Add the remaining beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Stir well to combine.
- Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the venting knob is sealed. Select ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ and set the timer for 20 minutes on high pressure. Allow for a 10-minute natural pressure release (NPR) once cooking is complete, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the lid and discard the bay leaf. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Set the Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode again.
- Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the beef tips, stirring continuously until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency (this usually takes 2-3 minutes). Turn off the Instant Pot.
- Serve the tender beef tips and gravy hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
What are “beef tips”?
Traditionally, beef tips are smaller pieces of meat that are left over after a butcher trims larger, more tender cuts like sirloin or tenderloin. However, for a slow-cooking or pressure-cooking recipe like this, stew meat or cubes cut from a chuck roast are used. These tougher cuts become exceptionally tender when cooked under pressure.
Why brown the meat before cooking Instant Pot Beef Tips?
Browning the meat is a key step for developing deep, complex flavor. This process, known as the Maillard reaction, caramelizes the surface of the beef, creating a rich crust and leaving flavorful browned bits in the pot that form the foundation of your gravy. It also improves the final texture of the meat.
How long does it take to make Instant Pot Beef Tips & Gravy?
The total time for this recipe is approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes. This includes about 5 minutes for preparation, time for the pot to come to pressure, a 20-25 minute cook time, a 15-minute natural pressure release, and a few minutes to thicken the gravy.
What should I serve with Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy?
These savory beef tips are wonderfully versatile. They are most deliciously served over something that can soak up the rich gravy, such as creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy white or brown rice, or wide egg noodles. A simple steamed or roasted vegetable on the side completes the meal perfectly.
A New Family Favorite
With the pressure cooker doing most of the work, creating a hearty and delicious meal of Instant Pot Beef Tips is simpler than ever. The result is consistently tender beef and a flavorful gravy that tastes like it simmered for hours. This is a dish that’s certain to become a staple in your home cooking rotation.
