Dinner doesn’t always wait for slow-cooked Sundays. I made these Instant Pot Beef Tips on a hectic Tuesday night, still wearing work clothes and boots from walking the dog. One bite of that fork-tender meat in rich, glossy gravy and it felt like comfort found me instead of the other way around.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Instant Pot Beef Tips
These Instant Pot Beef Tips cook in just under an hour but taste like they simmered all day. The meat turns tender, the onions melt into the gravy, and it all happens in one pot with barely any cleanup. It’s exactly the kind of one-bowl comfort you want on cold nights or busy evenings when you need dinner to feel like a reward.
- Quick and tender results with minimal effort
- Perfect comfort food for busy weeknights
- One-pot meal with rich, savory gravy
Ingredients You’ll Need
Beef & Seasoning
Start with 2.5 pounds of stew meat or beef tips. Chuck or round roast cut into chunks works too. Trim any big pieces of fat. Then season the beef generously with kosher salt and ground pepper. This step makes a big difference.
Aromatics & Herbs
A large sweet Vidalia onion (cut into 1-inch chunks) and fresh garlic bring deep flavor fast. Add fresh thyme and a bay leaf while it cooks for that classic slow-simmered aroma.
Liquids & Thickener
Use dry red or white wine to deglaze the pot—this boosts the savory notes. Low sodium beef broth gives body, and Worcestershire adds depth. To thicken the gravy, stir in a quick cornstarch slurry at the end.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Instant Pot Beef Tips
1. Sear the Beef
Pat the meat dry with paper towels so it browns well. Heat olive oil using the Instant Pot’s “Sauté” mode. Sear the beef in batches, about 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Don’t crowd the pot.
2. Sauté the Onion & Garlic
Once the beef is done, melt in butter. Add diced onions and garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until just soft and fragrant. This quick step builds that cozy, home-cooked flavor.
3. Deglaze the Pot
Pour in the wine (or broth, if you’re skipping the wine). Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom. Don’t skip this—deglazing prevents burn errors and adds so much flavor.
4. Pressure Cook with Broth & Herbs
Turn off sauté mode. Return the beef to the pot. Add broth, Worcestershire, thyme, and bay leaf. Lock the lid and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 25 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes after cooking. That slow release helps the beef get melt-in-your-mouth tender.
5. Thicken the Gravy
Turn sauté mode back on. Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry, then stir it in. Let the gravy simmer 5–15 minutes until thickened. Taste and season again if needed.
Expert Tips for Best Results
- Always deglaze thoroughly. It prevents that dreaded “burn” message.
- Use dry wine only—sweet wines can make the gravy taste off.
- Let the Instant Pot release pressure naturally. It’s worth the wait for that buttery texture.
Serving Suggestions
Spoon these Instant Pot Beef Tips over:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Soft polenta
- Wide egg noodles
Add a mild veggie like steamed green beans, honey-glazed carrots, or a light salad. Let the beef and gravy stay center stage.
Looking for a cozy pairing? Try it with this Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes on your next weekend dinner plan.
Storing & Reheating Leftovers
These beef tips reheat beautifully.
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second bursts or gently on the stovetop over medium.
- Freezer: Freeze up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight, then reheat in a saucepan until bubbling.
Leftovers thicken slightly as they sit just add a splash of broth while reheating if needed.
More Such Recipes
Craving more weeknight meat-and-potatoes magic? Try:
Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy Recipe Card
Print
Instant Pot Beef Tips – Tender & Easy Dinner Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
Instant Pot Beef Tips make fork-tender stew meat in rich, savory gravy. An easy one-pot dinner perfect over mashed potatoes or noodles.
Ingredients
2.5 lbs beef stew meat or chuck/round roast, cut into 1.5” cubes
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 large Vidalia onion, diced (1”)
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup dry red or white wine (or broth)
2 cups low sodium beef broth
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
1 bay leaf
3 tbsp cornstarch
3 tbsp water
Instructions
1. Pat beef dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
2. Set Instant Pot to “Sauté” and heat olive oil. Sear beef in batches until browned. Remove and set aside.
3. Add butter to pot. Sauté onions and garlic for 1 minute.
4. Pour in wine and deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits.
5. Cancel sauté. Return beef, add broth, Worcestershire, thyme, and bay leaf.
6. Lock lid and cook on High Pressure for 25 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 15 minutes.
7. Mix cornstarch with water to make slurry. Stir into pot and set to “Sauté”. Simmer 5–15 minutes until thickened.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot over mashed potatoes or noodles.
Notes
Deglaze well to prevent burn error.
Dry wine only – avoid sweet wines.
Natural Pressure Release makes the beef tender.
Serve with mashed potatoes, noodles, or polenta.
Leftovers thicken in the fridge. Add broth to reheat if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pressure Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 oz beef + ½ cup gravy
- Calories: 552
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 733mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
FAQ
How long do you cook beef in the Instant Pot?
For stew meat or beef tips, cook at high pressure for 25 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes.
Does Instant Pot make beef tender?
Yes! With enough liquid and natural pressure release, the Instant Pot turns even tough cuts into tender bites.
How long to cook beef in a pressure pot?
For 1.5-inch beef pieces, 25 minutes on high pressure works best. Always allow a natural release for tenderness.
Is there anything you should not put in the Instant Pot?
Avoid thick dairy or flour sauces during pressure cooking—they can burn. Add them afterward with the sauté function.
Final Thoughts
These Instant Pot Beef Tips are the kind of dinner that feels rich and rewarding without keeping you in the kitchen for hours. The gravy hugs every bite, and the meat practically falls apart. Serve it up family-style or meal prep for the week. Either way, this one’s a keeper.
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