Instant Pot Beef Tips | Amazing Tender Dinner Recipe

There is something comforting about walking into the kitchen after a busy day and knowing dinner will come together without hours of cooking. Instant Pot Beef Tips bring that feeling to life with tender chunks of beef and a rich, savory gravy. Even better, this recipe delivers deep, slow cooked flavor in much less time than traditional braising, making it perfect for weeknight meals and cozy family dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Beef Tips Recipe

This recipe checks all the boxes for an easy and satisfying dinner. First, the Instant Pot cooks the beef until it becomes incredibly tender. Meanwhile, the flavorful gravy develops from simple pantry ingredients that come together beautifully.

Here are a few reasons to make these Instant Pot Beef Tips:

• Rich, hearty comfort food with tender beef
• Ready much faster than oven braising
• Perfect for busy weeknights
• Great for meal prep and leftovers
• Easy ingredients you can find in most grocery stores
• Delicious with mashed potatoes, noodles, polenta, or rice

Another reason I love this recipe is how the kitchen smells while everything cooks. The onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme create an aroma that makes everyone ask when dinner will be ready.

What Are Beef Tips?

Beef tips are small pieces of beef that become wonderfully tender after slow cooking or pressure cooking. Although stores often label them as beef tips or stew meat, they usually come from larger cuts that benefit from longer cooking times.

When cooked correctly, beef tips become juicy and soft while soaking up all the flavors from the cooking liquid.

Best Cuts of Beef for Instant Pot Beef Tips

Packaged beef tips work perfectly for this recipe. However, if you cannot find them, chuck roast makes an excellent replacement.

Round roast also works well, especially when cut into roughly 1½ inch cubes. Just trim away large pieces of fat before cooking.

Chuck roast remains my favorite because it develops rich flavor and becomes especially tender after pressure cooking.

Stew Meat vs Beef Tips vs Chuck Roast

Although these names sound different, they often come from similar cuts.

Stew meat usually contains pre cut pieces from different parts of the cow. Beef tips may come from sirloin or chuck, depending on the package. Chuck roast, meanwhile, comes as one large cut that you slice into cubes yourself.

For the most consistent results, chuck roast gives you better control over the size of each piece.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list stays simple, yet every item adds flavor to the finished dish.

Beef and Seasonings

You will need:

• 2½ pounds stew meat or beef tips
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

These ingredients build the rich foundation for your Instant Pot Beef Tips.

Gravy Ingredients

For the flavorful gravy, gather:

• 1 large sweet onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup dry red wine or dry white wine, or ½ cup additional beef broth
• 2 cups low sodium beef broth
• ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons water

Together, these ingredients create a smooth, savory gravy that coats every bite.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

If you prefer not to cook with wine, simply replace it with extra beef broth.

Likewise, dried thyme works well when fresh thyme is unavailable.

You can also serve these Instant Pot Beef Tips over cauliflower purée for a lower carb option. Meanwhile, creamy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or soft polenta remain classic choices because they soak up every bit of gravy.

How to Make Instant Pot Beef Tips

Making Instant Pot Beef Tips is easier than you might think. Each step builds flavor, so take a few extra minutes at the beginning. The result is tender beef and a rich gravy that tastes like it simmered all day.

Step 1: Season and Brown the Beef

Pat the beef dry with paper towels. Then season it evenly with the kosher salt and black pepper.

Next, set the Instant Pot to Sauté and heat the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, brown the beef in batches. Let each piece develop a deep brown crust on one side before turning or removing it.

Do not crowd the pot. Instead, cook in small batches because this helps the beef brown instead of steam.

Transfer the browned beef to a plate and keep any juices. You will add them back later.

Step 2: Sauté the Onion and Garlic

Add the butter to the hot pot.

Once it melts, stir in the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for about one minute while stirring often.

The onion should soften slightly, and the garlic should become fragrant without turning brown.

Step 3: Deglaze the Instant Pot

Pour the wine into the pot. If you prefer, use extra beef broth instead.

Next, scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Remove every browned bit stuck to the bottom because those bits add incredible flavor to the gravy.

More importantly, deglazing helps prevent the Instant Pot from showing a burn warning during pressure cooking.

Return the browned beef and any collected juices to the pot.

Then add:

• Beef broth
• Worcestershire sauce
• Fresh thyme or dried thyme
• Bay leaf

Stir everything together gently.

Step 4: Pressure Cook Until Tender

Lock the lid into place and set the valve to Sealing.

Cook the Instant Pot Beef Tips on High Pressure for 25 minutes.

Keep in mind that the Instant Pot needs about 10 minutes to build pressure before the cooking time begins.

Once the cooking cycle ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes. Then carefully release any remaining pressure.

Natural pressure release gives the beef extra time to become wonderfully tender.

Step 5: Thicken the Gravy

Remove the thyme stems and bay leaf.

Meanwhile, stir together the cornstarch and water until smooth.

Turn the Instant Pot back to Sauté. Slowly stir the slurry into the gravy.

Let everything simmer for 5 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy reaches your preferred consistency.

Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the Instant Pot Beef Tips over your favorite side dish while everything is hot.

Mashed potatoes remain a classic choice because they soak up every spoonful of gravy. Egg noodles and creamy polenta also work beautifully.

Finish each serving with fresh parsley if you like a little color and freshness.

Expert Tips for the Best Instant Pot Beef Tips

A few simple tips can make the difference between a good dinner and an unforgettable one.

Avoid the Burn Notice

Always scrape every browned bit from the bottom of the pot after adding the wine or broth.

This simple step keeps the heating element working properly and helps prevent the Instant Pot from stopping with a burn warning.

Why Natural Pressure Release Matters

Although it may feel tempting to release the pressure immediately, waiting for the full natural release gives the beef more time to relax and soften.

As a result, every bite becomes much more tender.

Choosing Wine or Beef Broth

A dry red wine adds a deep, rich flavor.

Meanwhile, a dry white wine creates a lighter taste that still complements the beef.

If you prefer not to cook with wine, simply replace it with another half cup of beef broth. The gravy will still taste delicious.

Adjusting the Gravy Thickness

Everyone likes gravy a little differently.

If you prefer a thicker gravy, let it simmer a few extra minutes after adding the cornstarch slurry.

However, if it becomes too thick, stir in a splash of warm beef broth until it reaches the consistency you like.

Serving Suggestions

Instant Pot Beef Tips pair well with hearty sides that soak up the flavorful gravy.

Best Side Dishes for Beef Tips

Serve this recipe with:

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Buttered egg noodles
• Creamy polenta
• Steamed white rice
• Cauliflower purée
• Crusty bread

Each option makes the meal filling and satisfying.

Vegetable Pairings for a Complete Meal

Balance the rich beef with simple vegetables.

Roasted carrots, steamed green beans, buttered peas, roasted Brussels sprouts, or sautéed broccoli all make excellent choices.

A crisp green salad also adds freshness alongside the hearty gravy.

Storage and Reheating

This recipe tastes just as good the next day. In fact, the flavors become even richer after the beef rests in the gravy overnight.

How to Store Leftovers

Allow the Instant Pot Beef Tips to cool before storing.

Then transfer the beef and gravy to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Keep the gravy with the beef because it helps the meat stay moist while it chills.

Freezing Instructions

This recipe freezes very well.

Place the cooled beef and gravy in a freezer safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

When you are ready to enjoy it again, thaw the container overnight in the refrigerator.

Best Ways to Reheat

Reheat the beef gently on the stovetop over medium low heat, stirring occasionally until hot.

You can also warm individual portions in the microwave. Heat in short intervals and stir between each one so the gravy warms evenly.

If the gravy becomes too thick after storage, simply stir in a splash of beef broth while reheating.

Nutrition Information

Yield: 6 servings

Serving Size: Approximately 5 ounces cooked beef with ½ cup gravy

• Calories: 552
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 135 mg
• Sodium: 733 mg
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugars: 1 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Potassium: 151 mg
• Vitamin A: 10% DV
• Vitamin C: 5% DV
• Calcium: 3% DV
• Iron: 21% DV

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Pressure Build Time: About 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings

Before serving, remember these helpful notes:

• Cut chuck roast or round roast into roughly 1½ inch pieces if packaged beef tips are unavailable.
• Deglaze the pot completely after browning the beef to avoid a burn warning.
• A dry red or dry white wine gives the richest flavor, although extra beef broth works well too.
• Fresh thyme and dried thyme both work in this recipe.
• Allow the full natural pressure release for the most tender beef.
• Always open the Instant Pot lid away from yourself because hot steam escapes quickly.

For more recipes and meal inspiration, you can also follow Kai Recipes on Pinterest and Facebook.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Such Recipes

• Creamy Mashed Potatoes
• Beef Tips and Noodles
• Beef Stew and Dumplings
• Crock Pot Chicken, Potatoes and Green Beans
• Broccoli Parmesan Risotto
• Slow Cooker Pinto Beans

Conclusion

Key Takeaways and Final Serving Tips

Instant Pot Beef Tips bring together tender beef, savory gravy, and simple ingredients in one comforting meal. Although the recipe tastes like it simmered all day, the Instant Pot cuts the cooking time dramatically, making it a practical choice for busy evenings.

Browning the beef, deglazing the pot well, and allowing the natural pressure release all contribute to the final texture and flavor. Serve the beef over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, polenta, or your favorite starch so none of the delicious gravy goes to waste.

Whether you make this recipe for a family dinner or prepare it ahead for easy meals during the week, these Instant Pot Beef Tips are sure to earn a regular place on your dinner table.