Easy Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy
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When you’re craving a hearty and flavorful meal that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen, this Easy Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy recipe is the perfect solution. It’s packed with tender chunks of beef smothered in a rich, savory gravy. This dish is the ultimate comfort food. Best of all, it’s incredibly simple to make, making it ideal for busy weeknights or when you want a fuss-free dinner option.
Using the Instant Pot, you can create this flavorful meal in a fraction of the time compared to traditional cooking methods. The pressure cooker locks in all the flavors and tenderness, delivering a meal that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours. Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for a satisfying dish that the whole family will love.
Ingredients for Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy
- BEEF STEW MEAT
- WATER
- WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
- LIQUID SMOKE
- GARLIC POWDER
- ONION POWDER
- THYME
- PARSLEY
- GROUND MUSTARD POWDER
- CHILI POWDER
- BETTER THAN BOUILLON
- HALF AND HALF
- CORNSTARCH
- TOMATO PASTE
- BUTTER
- SALT
- BROWNING SAUCE, OPTIONAL
Instructions for Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy
Start by setting your Instant Pot to sauté mode and searing the stew meat. This step, often used by chefs, locks in the juices of the meat and enhances its flavor through caramelization. The result is tender, flavorful bites that form the perfect base for the dish.
Next, add water, beef bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, and spices to the pot. Stir to combine, ensuring the meat is evenly coated. Seal the Instant Pot lid, set it to high pressure, and cook for 20 minutes. That’s right—just 20 minutes! That’s all it takes to transform the stew meat into tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites, thanks to the power of pressure cooking.
Once the pressure cooking is complete, it’s time to make the gravy. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and half-and-half to create a slurry. Turn the Instant Pot back to sauté mode and wait until the liquid in the pot begins to boil. Gradually stir in the slurry, allowing it to thicken the mixture as it cooks.
Add the remaining gravy ingredients and stir to combine thoroughly. Continue cooking for a few minutes until the gravy reaches your desired consistency. For an added boost of flavor and to enhance the gravy color, stir in a splash of browning sauce. If you don’t have browning sauce on hand, don’t worry—the dish will still be delicious without it.
Serve the creamy gravy and fork-tender beef tips over your favorite base: rice, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes. My family’s personal favorite is to enjoy these beef tips over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes. This meal is sure to be a hit around your table!
frequently asked questions
What type of beef should I use for beef tips and gravy in the Instant Pot?
You can use beef stew meat, sirloin tips, or chuck roast cut into bite-sized pieces. These cuts are ideal for tenderizing during pressure cooking.
Do I need to brown the beef before pressure cooking it?
Yes, browning the beef adds flavor and helps seal in the juices. It’s an important step for a richer taste.
What’s the difference between natural release and quick release?
Natural release occurs when the Instant Pot automatically releases pressure after cooking. On the other hand, quick release happens when you manually release the steam. You often use natural release for meats to avoid toughening.
What can I garnish the dish with?
Besides parsley, you can garnish with chopped chives or green onions.
For more beef recipes, try:
- No Peeking Beef Tips
- Easy Slow Cooker Beef and Gravy
- Instant Pot Steak Diane
- The Ultimate Beef Stroganoff
Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs beef stew meat
- 1 cup water
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp liquid smoke
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp thyme
- 1 tsp parsley
- ½ tsp mustard powder
- ½ tsp chili powder
- 1 Tbsp beef Better Than Bouillon
Gravy:
- ½ cup half and half
- 3 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tsp beef Better Than Bouillon
- 2 tsp tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp butter
- ¼ tsp salt
- splash of browning sauce, optional (Kitchen Bouquet)
Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot on to sauté mode. Allow it to heat up and spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Add your beef and sear the meat along the tops and bottoms of each piece.
- Turn off saute mode and add in the water and deglaze the pan, scaping off the bottom of the pan well. Then add in the Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, bullion, and spices. Stir to combine.
- Place the lid on and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, making sure the vent is sealed.
- When finished cooking, allow for a natural pressure release for about 15 minutes. Then, turn the valve to vent to remove any excess pressure. While the pressure is releasing, stir together the half and half and cornstarch until smooth, then set it aside.
- Turn the instant pot to the sauté setting. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir in the cornstarch mixture. Then add in the remaining gravy ingredients. Stir together and allow to simmer for a few minutes until the gravy thickens. Serve over cooked rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes. Serves 5-6.
Nutrition
This recipe is adapted from Jamie Cooks It Up.
