Ultimate Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy: Achieve Tender, Flavorful Beef in Minutes
Discover the secret to perfectly tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef tips drenched in rich, savory gravy, all prepared effortlessly in your Instant Pot. This beloved comfort food comes together with minimal fuss, transforming a classic slow-cooked dish into a speedy weeknight marvel. Serve this hearty meal over a generous bed of creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or wide egg noodles for a satisfying culinary experience that promises to become a family favorite.
Why This Instant Pot Beef Tips Recipe Is a Must-Try
Traditional beef tips and gravy recipes often require hours of simmering on the stovetop or in a Dutch oven to achieve that desired fall-apart tenderness. While we cherish those slow-cooked flavors, modern life demands efficiency without compromising taste. That’s where the Instant Pot shines! This recipe dramatically cuts down cooking time, delivering unbelievably tender beef tips in a fraction of the time, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Using a pressure cooker not only speeds up the process but also locks in moisture and flavor, creating a deeply rich gravy that perfectly complements the succulent beef. It’s essentially a one-pot wonder, simplifying both the cooking process and cleanup. Say goodbye to endless stirring and constant monitoring. With the Instant Pot, you set it and forget it, allowing you to focus on other tasks while your delicious meal comes to life. This simplified, yet incredibly flavorful, version of a classic comfort food guarantees you’ll keep coming back for more.
Essential Ingredients for Tender Beef Tips
Crafting this incredible Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy recipe requires a few simple, wholesome ingredients that work in harmony to create a symphony of flavors. While the complete list with precise measurements can be found in the printable recipe card at the end of this post, here’s a glimpse into what you’ll need to get started:
- Beef: The star of our dish, chosen for tenderness and flavor.
- Aromatics: Onions and garlic form the foundation of our savory gravy.
- Flavor Enhancers: Beef base, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce add depth.
- Fat: Olive oil for browning and building flavor.
- Thickener: Cornstarch (optional) for achieving the perfect gravy consistency.
- Seasoning: Garlic salt to bring all the flavors together.
Gathering your ingredients beforehand ensures a smooth and enjoyable cooking experience. Each component plays a vital role in developing the rich, comforting taste that makes this Instant Pot beef tips recipe so special.
Ingredient Spotlight & Expert Substitutions
Understanding your ingredients and knowing how to make smart substitutions can elevate your cooking and ensure success, even if you don’t have everything on hand.
Choosing the Best Beef for Instant Pot Beef Tips
BEEF: For this Instant Pot beef tips recipe, we’ve successfully used a sirloin tip roast, which allows for precise control over the size and cut of the meat chunks. However, beef stew meat is an excellent and readily available alternative. While “beef tips” often refer to tender cuts like tenderloin or sirloin, “stew meat” typically comes from tougher parts of the animal, such as chuck roast or round roast. The beauty of the Instant Pot is its ability to tenderize these tougher cuts beautifully under pressure, resulting in succulent, fork-tender beef regardless of your initial choice. If you opt for a roast, cut it into uniform 2-inch pieces for even cooking. For pre-packaged stew meat, ensure the chunks are roughly the same size.
Crafting the Perfect Gravy Base
GRAVY: Our preferred method for building the rich gravy flavor is using a concentrated bouillon base, like “Better than Bouillon.” It’s incredibly convenient, takes up minimal pantry space, and provides a robust beef flavor that’s easily reconstituted with water. However, if you prefer, you can certainly substitute an equal amount of good quality beef broth or stock. For an even deeper, more complex gravy, consider deglazing the pot with a splash of dry red wine (like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot) after browning the beef and sautéing the aromatics, then allowing it to reduce before adding the beef base and water.
Building Layers of Flavor
AROMATICS: Minced garlic and sliced onions are crucial for building a flavorful base. They soften and sweeten in the Instant Pot, infusing the gravy with their aromatic essence.
SEASONING & SAUCES: Garlic salt enhances the beef and gravy. Low sodium soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce are flavor powerhouses, adding umami depth and a subtle tangy kick that rounds out the overall taste profile. Don’t skip them, as they contribute significantly to the rich, complex flavor of the gravy.
THICKENER: A cornstarch slurry is used to thicken the gravy to your desired consistency. This is added at the end, allowing you to control how thick or thin you want your sauce. If you prefer a slightly thinner gravy, you can skip this step or use less slurry.
How to Make Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Prepare the Beef: If you’re using beef stew meat, it’s likely already cut into suitable pieces. If starting with a sirloin tip roast, take a moment to trim any excess fat and then cut the beef into uniform 2-inch chunks. Uniform pieces ensure even cooking, leading to consistently tender results.
- Season the Beef: Place the prepared beef chunks into a large mixing bowl. Season them generously with half of the garlic salt and drizzle with half of the olive oil. Toss well to ensure every piece of beef is coated. This initial seasoning and oil help develop a beautiful crust during browning.
- Sear the Beef: Add the remaining olive oil to the Instant Pot inner pot. Select the “Sauté” function and allow the oil to heat until shimmering. Carefully add enough seasoned beef to the pot to cover the bottom in a single layer, without overcrowding. Brown the beef thoroughly on all sides to develop a rich, caramelized crust (the Maillard reaction!). This step is crucial for deep flavor. Remove the browned beef from the pot and set aside. Repeat this process in batches until all the beef is beautifully seared.
CHEF’S TIP: Browning the meat in batches is essential. Overcrowding the pot will cause the meat to steam rather than sear, preventing that delicious crust from forming and diluting the overall flavor of your gravy. Patience here pays off!
- Sauté Aromatics: With the pot still on the “Sauté” function, add the minced garlic and sliced onions. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until they become fragrant and slightly softened. This step builds another layer of flavor for your gravy.
- Deglaze and Build Gravy: Pour in a small amount of water (or red wine, as suggested earlier) and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to deglaze, lifting all those flavorful browned bits. Then, stir in the beef base, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, remaining garlic salt, and the rest of the water. Return the browned beef back to the pot, ensuring it’s submerged in the liquid.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and make sure the vent is in the sealed (closed) position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure by carefully moving the vent to the venting position.
- Thicken the Gravy (Optional): If you desire a thicker gravy, prepare a cornstarch slurry by whisking together 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Turn the Instant Pot back to the “Sauté” function. Stir the slurry into the hot gravy in the pot and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the gravy thickens to your preferred consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Instant Pot Beef Tips
Here are some common questions and expert advice to ensure your Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy turn out perfectly every time.
Leftovers of Instant Pot beef tips and gravy are incredibly delicious! Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This dish reheats beautifully on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave. It’s a fantastic recipe for meal prepping lunches or enjoying for dinner the following day, as the flavors often deepen overnight.
While often used interchangeably in recipes like this, beef tips and stew meat are generally considered different cuts of beef. Beef tips typically come from more tender cuts, such as tenderloin, sirloin, or round, and are often trimmed ends or smaller pieces. Stew meat, on the other hand, is usually cut from tougher, more collagen-rich areas like chuck roast or round roast. The good news is that for Instant Pot cooking, both work exceptionally well. The pressure cooker’s magic tenderizes even the toughest cuts, giving you perfectly soft and succulent beef morsels every time. So, feel free to use whichever is more accessible or preferred!
It is highly recommended to thaw your beef completely before preparing this recipe. Browning the beef from frozen is difficult and won’t achieve the desirable crust for maximum flavor. Additionally, cooking frozen meat in the Instant Pot can lead to uneven cooking and may require significantly longer pressure cooking times, potentially impacting the gravy’s consistency and overall texture.
The “Burn” error typically occurs when there are browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot, or insufficient liquid. After sautéing the aromatics and before adding the liquid, make sure to thoroughly deglaze the pot by adding a splash of water or broth and scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Ensure you have at least 1 cup of thin liquid in the pot. Following the recipe’s liquid measurements carefully should prevent this issue.
Absolutely! While the Instant Pot offers speed, this recipe can be adapted for a slow cooker. You would still want to brown the beef and sauté the aromatics on the stovetop (or in the slow cooker if it has a sauté function) for optimal flavor. Then, transfer all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender. You can thicken the gravy with a cornstarch slurry at the end, just as you would with the Instant Pot version.
If your gravy is too thin after pressure cooking, use the “Sauté” function and add a cornstarch slurry (1-2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with an equal amount of cold water) gradually, stirring constantly, until it reaches your desired thickness. If it’s too thick, simply whisk in a little more water or beef broth, a tablespoon at a time, until it loosens up to your preference.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Your Beef Tips and Gravy
The beauty of Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy lies in its versatility and comforting nature. While it’s perfect on its own, pairing it with the right sides can transform it into an unforgettable meal. Here are some of our favorite serving suggestions:
- Mashed Potatoes: A classic pairing! Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are ideal for soaking up every drop of that rich gravy.
- Rice: White rice, brown rice, or even wild rice provide a lovely textural contrast and a neutral base for the robust flavors.
- Egg Noodles: Wide, tender egg noodles are another fantastic choice, offering a hearty and satisfying component.
- Crusty Bread: Don’t forget a warm, crusty baguette or sourdough bread to mop up any remaining gravy!
- Roasted or Steamed Vegetables: To complete your meal, add a side of vibrant vegetables like roasted asparagus, steamed green beans, glazed carrots, or broccoli. A simple garden salad also offers a refreshing counterpoint.
- Polenta: For a twist, serve the beef tips over creamy polenta, adding an Italian-inspired touch.
Optionally, garnish your finished dish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and a hint of herbaceous freshness. Enjoy every satisfying bite of this easy-to-make, incredibly flavorful meal!
Explore More Instant Pot Favorites
The Instant Pot is a game-changer in the kitchen, making countless dishes faster and easier. If you loved this beef tips recipe, you’ll surely enjoy exploring other convenient and delicious meals you can whip up with your pressure cooker:
- Instant Pot Ribs
- Instant Pot Roast Beef
- Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
These recipes promise the same convenience and mouth-watering results, further solidifying the Instant Pot’s place as an indispensable kitchen appliance.
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Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds sirloin tip roast or beef stew meat
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt divided
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ cup sliced onions
- 1 Tablespoon Better than Bouillon beef base
- 3 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups water
Optional for thickening
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoons water
Things You’ll Need
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Chef’s knife
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Large mixing bowl
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Instant pot
Before You Begin
- While we have used a sirloin tip roast here, you can certainly use beef stew meat instead. Chef Antoine prefer to control the size of the meat chunks, therefore we use a roast we can cut ourselves.
- We use a concentrated buillon base for most of our recipes instead of broth or stock. It’s convenient, takes up a lot less space, and is easily reconstituted with water. You can certainly use broth or stock instead.
Instructions
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If using beef stew meat, skip to next step. Trim excess fat from roast and cut into 2-inch chunks.
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Place meat in a large mixing bowl. Season with half of the garlic salt and drizzle with half of the olive oil.
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Add remaining olive oil to the Instant Pot and turn on to the saute function. Once oil is heated, add enough meat to the pot to cover the bottom. Brown on all sides and remove from the pot. Repeat, cooking in batches until done.
TIP: Cook the meat in batches so that it sears nicely. Adding too much meat to the pot at once can cause the meat to steam instead of sear.
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Add garlic and onions to the pot and saute for 1-2 minutes.
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Stir in the beef base, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, remaining garlic salt, and water. Add beef back to the pot.
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Close lid and turn vent to the closed position. Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Do a quick release.
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If you would like to thicken the gravy, combine the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. With pot on the saute function, stir in the slurry and cook until thickened to your liking.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This recipe is great for packaging into containers to take for lunch or to heat up for dinner the following day.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.