Tender beef tips, smothered in a rich gravy. It's classic comfort food that feeds the soul. Now, picture creating this in a fraction of the traditional cooking time.
That's the beauty of using your Instant Pot to make beef tips and gravy. Pressure cooking transforms plain beef into deliciously tender bites without long prep and cooking times. The Instant Pot not only speeds up the process but also locks in flavors, so every bite is as delicious as it is satisfying.
Its a perfect solution for weeknight dinners, producing a hearty meal the whole family will love.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
If you have an Instant Pot, you know: it's the ultimate shortcut to create hearty comfort food meals for your family. In this case, tender beef tips, bathed in a rich gravy that makes every bite a delight.
This dish is a meal that brings satisfaction to the table with minimal cleanup afterward. From the first bite of these delicious beef tips to the last, you'll understand why this recipe is a family-friendly treasure perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients Needed
**Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for detailed quantities and directions**
How to Make Beef Tips in the Instant Pot
I have used both stew meat as well as cubed sirloin for this and love it either way. I brown about half the cubes at a time, it only takes a couple minutes for each batch when you do it this way.
Start the Instant Pot on the sauté function and add a little oil. Then add half the beef cubes. Season with salt and pepper while they brown for a minute or two, then stir to brown the cubes on the other sides. Remove from the pot and repeat with the remaining beef.
To the empty Instant Pot, add a little more oil and the diced onion. Cook and stir, about 4 to 5 minutes, until the onion is tender. Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds.
Add about ½ cup of beef broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to remove all the stuck-on bits. Then add the rest of the broth.
Add the browned beef and the seasonings: Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, and thyme. I like to use fresh thyme when it is available but I have also substituted with dried thyme with success.
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Cover the Instant Pot with the lid, then seal and set the cycle to high pressure (meat/stew) for 23 minutes. When the cycle is done, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes before manually releasing the rest.
Once the pressure is released, remove the Instant Pot lid and turn on the sauté function. Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprig from the pot.
Make a slurry with cornstarch and water. Pour into the pot and stir for a minute or two to thicken the gravy.
Your beef tips and gravy are ready to be served!
Serving Suggestions
I usually serve my Instant Pot beef tips with creamy mashed potatoes or delicious egg noodles to soak up the rich, delicious gravy. A bed of rice would be lovely as well!
A crisp green salad or steamed green beans add a fresh contrast to the hearty beef.
You could always add some crusty bread to mop up any remaining gravy on your plate. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a touch of color and a burst of freshness.
Need dessert? A delicious peach clafoutis would be the perfect exclamation point to this wonderful meal!
Substitutions and Variations
These beef tips are delicious as-is, but for another layer of flavor you could add some mushrooms. Either white or cremini mushrooms would be delightful in this gravy. I would slice them, and then sauté them a little with the onions before adding back all the other ingredients. Delightful!
Storage
Beef tips and gravy make a delicious leftover meal! Allow any leftovers to cool to room temperature, then place in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I usually reheat in the microwave for a quick lunch or dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can! Brown the meat and onions in a skillet and add them with the other ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, then thicken with the cornstarch slurry.
I have personally used sirloin and stew meat with wonderful results. Chuck roast (cut up) would be a good choice as well. Meat with a little bit of marbling will yield the best results.
More Meal Ideas Using Your Instant Pot
If you're still in the mood for beef, you can also make pepper steak, beef stew, or cube steak in the instant pot with excellent results.
Like chicken? Instant Pot chicken stew or French Onion chicken are delicious and satisfying!
📖 Recipe
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Instant Pot Beef Tips
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil divided
- 2 pounds beef stew meat or sirloin, cut in cubes
- 1 large sweet onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 sprig fresh thyme*
For thickening:
- 5 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ cup water
For serving:
- Mashed potatoes or egg noodles
Instructions
- Turn on the Instant Pot to the sauté setting and add 2 tablespoons oil.3 tablespoons cooking oil
- Add half the beef cubes and season with salt and pepper. Let the beef brown for about 2 minutes, then stir/flip to brown on the opposite side for a couple minutes. Remove and repeat with the remaining beef, removing all beef and set aside.2 pounds beef
- Add one tablespoon oil to the Instant Pot as well as the diced onion. Cook the onion, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot, until tender, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds.3 tablespoons cooking oil, 1 large sweet onion, 4 cloves garlic
- Add a little of the beef broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Then add the rest of the broth and stir.2 cups beef broth
- Add the browned beef and seasonings: Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, bay leaf and the thyme.2 pounds beef, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 sprig fresh thyme*
- Close and seal the Instant Pot. Cook on HIGH pressure (meat/stew setting) for 23 minutes.
- Once the cycle is done, allow the Instant Pot to natural release the pressure for at least 10 minutes, then manually release the rest.
- Once the pin has dropped, remove the lid from the Instant Pot and set to the sauté setting.
- Mix the cornstarch with water to make a slurry, then add to the Instant Pot while stirring the contents. Cook and stir until the gravy has thickened, about 2 minutes.5 tablespoons cornstarch, ½ cup water
- Serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles, as preferred.Mashed potatoes or egg noodles
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
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