Instant Pot Beef Tips are the perfect comfort food for busy nights when you want a rich and hearty homemade meal without hours of cooking. Tender chunks of beef are pressure cooked in a savory onion and garlic gravy until they become melt-in-your-mouth delicious. This easy recipe delivers deep slow-cooked flavor in a fraction of the time and pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The Instant Pot makes the beef incredibly tender and flavorful.
This recipe uses simple pantry-friendly ingredients.
The rich homemade gravy is perfect for serving over potatoes or noodles.
It is ideal for meal prep and leftovers reheat beautifully.
Budget-friendly stew meat transforms into a satisfying family dinner.
The recipe is easy enough for beginners but tastes restaurant-quality.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
2.5 pounds stew meat or beef tips
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large sweet onion, diced into 1-inch pieces
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 whole bay leaf
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons cold water
Directions
Pat the beef dry using paper towels. Season all sides of the meat with salt and black pepper.
Turn the Instant Pot to the sauté setting and heat the olive oil until hot.
Add one-third of the beef to the pot in a single layer. Sear for about 3 minutes until browned. Remove and repeat with the remaining beef batches.
Add the butter to the pot. Once melted, stir in the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute while stirring constantly.
Pour in 1/2 cup of the beef broth and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen all browned bits.
Return the beef and any juices back into the Instant Pot.
Add the remaining beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf. Stir gently to combine.
Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 25 minutes.
After cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes before carefully releasing the remaining pressure.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
Remove the thyme stems and bay leaf from the pot.
Turn the Instant Pot back to sauté mode and stir in the cornstarch slurry. Simmer for 5 to 15 minutes until the gravy thickens.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve hot over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice, or polenta.
Servings and timing
Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Natural Release Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Variations
Add carrots and potatoes before pressure cooking for a hearty stew version.
Use chuck roast cut into cubes instead of stew meat.
Add sliced mushrooms for extra savory flavor.
Stir in a splash of cream at the end for a creamier gravy.
Replace thyme with rosemary for a different herb flavor.
Serve over cauliflower mash for a lower-carb meal.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover beef tips in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Larger portions can be reheated on the stovetop over medium heat until fully warmed through.
For freezing, allow the beef tips and gravy to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
Can I use chuck roast instead of stew meat?
Yes, chuck roast works very well. Simply cut it into bite-sized cubes before cooking.
Why should I sear the beef first?
Searing creates a deep rich flavor and helps build a delicious gravy.
What can I serve with beef tips?
Mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, and polenta are all excellent options.
How do I avoid the Instant Pot burn notice?
Be sure to scrape all browned bits from the bottom of the pot after adding broth.
Can I use dried thyme instead of fresh thyme?
Yes, substitute 1 teaspoon of dried thyme for the fresh sprigs.
How do I make the gravy thicker?
Allow the gravy to simmer a little longer after adding the cornstarch slurry.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, the flavors become even better after resting overnight in the refrigerator.
Is stew meat tender enough for this recipe?
Yes, the pressure cooking process makes stew meat extremely tender.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, beef tips freeze very well for up to 3 months.
What vegetables pair well with this dish?
Green beans, roasted broccoli, glazed carrots, and side salads pair wonderfully.
Conclusion
These Instant Pot Beef Tips are rich, comforting, and incredibly easy to make. The pressure cooker transforms simple stew meat into fork-tender bites coated in a savory homemade gravy that tastes like it simmered all day. Whether served over creamy mashed potatoes or buttery noodles, this hearty meal is guaranteed to become a favorite at your dinner table.
These Instant Pot Beef Tips are rich, hearty, and incredibly tender, simmered in a savory onion and garlic gravy that tastes slow-cooked for hours. Made quickly in the Instant Pot, this comforting dinner pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, noodles, rice, or polenta for a satisfying family meal.
Total Time:1 hour 25 minutes
Yield:6 servings
Ingredients
2.5 pounds stew meat or beef tips
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large sweet onion, diced into 1-inch pieces
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 whole bay leaf
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
Pat the beef dry with paper towels and season all sides with salt and black pepper.
Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the olive oil.
Add one-third of the beef in a single layer and sear for about 3 minutes until browned. Remove and repeat with the remaining beef.
Add the butter to the pot, then stir in the onion and garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in 1/2 cup beef broth and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen browned bits.
Return the beef and any juices to the Instant Pot.
Add the remaining beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf. Stir gently.
Seal the lid and cook on High Pressure for 25 minutes.
Allow a natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure.
Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl until smooth.
Remove the thyme stems and bay leaf from the pot.
Turn the Instant Pot back to sauté mode and stir in the cornstarch slurry.
Simmer for 5 to 15 minutes until the gravy thickens.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve hot over mashed potatoes, noodles, rice, or polenta.
Notes
Searing the beef first builds deeper flavor and creates a richer gravy.
Scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot well after adding broth to prevent a burn warning.
Chuck roast cut into cubes can be used instead of stew meat.
For extra richness, stir in a splash of cream before serving.
The flavors become even better after resting overnight in the refrigerator.
