Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy in 1 Hour

If you’re looking for a rich, savory meal that’s quick to make, Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy is the perfect dish. Traditionally, making beef tips with gravy requires slow cooking, but with the magic of the Instant Pot, you can create this mouthwatering dish in under an hour. The Instant Pot tenderizes the beef, infusing it with flavors from garlic, onions, Worcestershire sauce, and red wine, resulting in a thick, flavorful gravy that is perfect for pairing with mashed potatoes, rice, or polenta.

This recipe is designed for busy families or anyone who craves a hearty, comforting meal without the long cooking time. The best part? It’s easy to make, and the gravy is so rich and tasty, you’ll want to serve it over everything.

Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy

Ingredients for Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy

Before getting started, gather the following ingredients:

• Beef Tips or Stew Meat: This is typically the tougher cuts of beef, like chuck or round roast, cut into small, bite-sized pieces. You can also use pre-cut beef tips.
• Kosher Salt and Ground Pepper: To season the beef for enhanced flavor.
• Olive Oil: Used for searing the beef in the Instant Pot for a rich, brown crust.
• Butter: Adds richness when sautéing onions and garlic.
• Onion: A large Vidalia or sweet onion, diced to add depth and sweetness to the gravy.
• Garlic: Minced garlic enhances the savory base of the sauce.
• Red Wine: A dry red wine is essential for deglazing the pot and adding depth to the gravy. Choose a wine you would drink, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.
• Beef Broth: Low-sodium beef broth forms the base of the gravy.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a tangy umami flavor that complements the beef.
• Fresh Thyme: Bundled together for ease, fresh thyme provides a fragrant, earthy note.
• Bay Leaf: Adds a subtle depth of flavor.
• Cornstarch and Water: Used to thicken the gravy to the perfect consistency.

Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy

How to Make Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy

Follow these steps to create this delicious meal:

1. Season and Sear the Beef

• Pat the beef dry and season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
• Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add olive oil. Once the oil is hot, sear the beef in batches. Place the beef in a single layer to form a deep, golden-brown crust on each side, about 3 minutes per side.
• After searing, remove the beef and set it aside on a plate.

2. Sauté Onions and Garlic

• In the same pot, add butter and heat it until it melts and foams.
• Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant.

3. Deglaze the Pot

• Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pot, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot. These bits add depth to the gravy, so don’t skip this step!

4. Return Beef and Add Liquids

• Cancel the Sauté mode and return the seared beef to the Instant Pot along with any juices from the plate.
• Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together, and top with the fresh thyme sprigs and a bay leaf.

5. Pressure Cook the Beef

• Seal the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to Sealing. Set the pot to high pressure and cook for 25 minutes.
• Once the cooking time is up, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 15 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.

6. Thicken the Gravy

• After removing the beef, set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode again and stir in a cornstarch slurry (mix cornstarch with water until smooth).
• Simmer the gravy for 5-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.

7. Serve

• Pour the rich gravy over the beef and serve hot over mashed potatoes, polenta, egg noodles, or your favorite starch.
• Enjoy the tender beef and luxurious gravy that perfectly complement each other.

Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy

Recipe Notes and Tips

• Selecting Beef: You can use pre-cut beef tips, stew meat, or break down your own roast (chuck or round) into bite-sized pieces. Chuck roast is perfect for the Instant Pot due to its richness, but any cut will work as long as it’s tenderized through pressure cooking.
• Deglazing: Ensure you deglaze the pot thoroughly to remove all browned bits. If you skip this, you might get a “Burn” message during cooking.
• Wine Substitute: If you prefer not to use wine, substitute with extra beef broth. The wine adds a unique depth to the gravy, but the dish will still be delicious without it.
• Cornstarch Slurry: Adjust the amount of cornstarch based on how thick you want your gravy. For a thicker sauce, use more cornstarch.
• Resting the Beef: After pressure cooking, let the beef rest in the gravy for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

How to Serve Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy

Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy is versatile and can be served in many ways:

• Mashed Potatoes: A classic choice, mashed potatoes perfectly soak up the rich gravy.
• Polenta: Soft and creamy polenta pairs beautifully with beef and gravy.
• Egg Noodles: Tender egg noodles provide the ideal base for the beef and gravy to rest on.
• Cauliflower Mash: For a low-carb option, try cauliflower mash as a substitute for potatoes.
• Rice or Quinoa: If you prefer a grain, rice or quinoa works wonderfully with this savory dish.

Storing and Reheating Instant Pot Beef Tips

Refrigeration:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a bit of broth or water to keep the gravy moist.

Freezing:

• This dish freezes well for up to 3 months. Cool the beef and gravy completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy

Serving Suggestions for Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy

Beef tips with gravy can be served in a variety of ways depending on your preferences. Here are some ideas for serving:

• Over Mashed Potatoes: This classic pairing allows the gravy to soak into the mashed potatoes, creating a rich and comforting dish.
• Polenta: For a creamy and slightly different base, serve the beef tips over creamy polenta.
• Egg Noodles: A great choice for sopping up the delicious gravy, egg noodles are a quick and easy option.
• Cauliflower Purée: If you’re looking for a lower-carb option, serve the beef tips over cauliflower purée for a healthy, creamy base.

For a complete meal, pair it with a simple side of roasted vegetables like green beans, carrots, or broccoli.

Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy Recipe Card

Ingredients:

• 2.5 pounds stew meat or beef tips (see note)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 large Vidalia (sweet) onion, diced to 1”
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup dry red or white wine, or additional broth
• 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
• ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme, bundled with kitchen twine (see note)
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons water

Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Beef: Pat the beef dry with paper towels. Season the beef all over with salt and pepper.
2. Sear the Beef: Press the Sauté button on the Instant Pot. Add olive oil and heat until shimmering. Add one-third of the beef pieces to the pot, arranging them in a single layer. Sear for 3 minutes, until a golden brown crust forms. Remove the beef and repeat with the remaining batches.
3. Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add butter to the pot. Once melted, sauté the diced onions and garlic for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
4. Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the wine and scrape the bottom of the pot to remove browned bits. Let the wine bubble and reduce for a couple of minutes.
5. Add Liquids and Herbs: Cancel the Sauté mode. Return the beef to the pot with any juices. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme, and the bay leaf. Stir to combine.
6. Pressure Cook: Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to High Pressure for 25 minutes. After cooking, allow a 15-minute natural pressure release, then release any remaining pressure manually.
7. Thicken the Gravy: Whisk together cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Open the lid away from your body, add the slurry to the pot, and stir. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and simmer for 5-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens to your liking.
8. Serve: Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed. Serve the beef tips with the gravy over mashed potatoes, polenta, or egg noodles.

Notes:

• Choosing Beef: If you can’t find stew meat or pre-cut beef tips, use a chuck roast or round roast. Cut it into 1.5-inch pieces before cooking.
• Deglazing: Ensure you properly deglaze the pot to avoid the “Burn” warning. Scrape all the brown bits off the bottom to help the Instant Pot come to pressure.
• Wine Substitute: If you prefer not to use wine, substitute with additional beef broth. However, wine enhances the richness of the gravy.
• Cornstarch Slurry: Adjust the amount of cornstarch slurry depending on how thick you want the gravy.

Nutritional Facts (per serving):

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Method: Pressure Cooking

Cuisine: American