Craving the richness of beef stew or pot roast but short on time? These Instant Pot Beef Tips are the answer. Fall-apart tender beef chunks simmered in a savory red wine gravy—all in under an hour. It’s the comfort food shortcut you didn’t know you needed.
Serve these juicy beef tips over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or polenta for a hearty, soul-warming meal.
Why the Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot works wonders on tougher cuts of meat like stew beef. It mimics the low-and-slow cooking of a traditional braise but in a fraction of the time—without sacrificing texture or flavor. You get melt-in-your-mouth meat in about an hour from start to finish.
What Are Beef Tips?
“Beef tips” refer to bite-sized pieces of meat, often cut from tenderloin, sirloin, or roasts. They’re great for stews and gravies.
You can use:
- Packaged beef tips – generally from tender cuts.
- Stew meat – usually from tougher cuts like chuck or round, perfect for pressure cooking.
- A whole roast – slice a chuck or round roast into chunks yourself if needed.
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs stew meat or beef tips
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 large sweet onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup dry red or white wine (or more broth)
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp water
How to Make Instant Pot Beef Tips
- Prep & Season
Pat meat dry and season with salt and pepper. - Sear the Beef
On “Sauté” mode, brown beef in batches in hot olive oil until golden. Set aside. - Sauté the Aromatics
Add butter, then sauté onions and garlic for 1 minute. - Deglaze with Wine
Pour in wine and scrape up browned bits from the bottom. This step prevents the burn notice. - Add Liquids & Herbs
Cancel sauté. Return beef to pot. Add broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf. - Pressure Cook
Cook on High Pressure for 25 minutes, then let pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. - Thicken the Gravy
Make a cornstarch slurry (mix cornstarch + water), stir it into the pot, and simmer on “Sauté” for 5–15 minutes until thickened. - Serve & Enjoy
Serve hot over mashed potatoes, noodles, or your favorite side.
Pro Tips
- Deglaze thoroughly: A clean pot bottom is key to avoiding burn warnings.
- Use dry wine: Skip the sweet stuff—go with something you’d drink.
- Make ahead: It tastes even better the next day!
- No wine? Use more broth instead.
Serving Suggestions
Pair these beef tips with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or creamy polenta. Add a simple veggie like roasted broccoli or sautéed green beans for a balanced plate.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze with gravy for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight, then reheat on the stove or microwave until hot.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those how-is-this-so-easy? recipes you’ll want to make on repeat. Whether you’re working with bargain stew meat or splurging on beef tips, the Instant Pot delivers flavor and tenderness every single time.