There’s nothing quite like the deep, savory comfort of tender beef tips swimming in a rich, velvety gravy. This recipe for Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy delivers that slow-simmered flavor you love in a fraction of the time. It’s a hearty, satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.

My dad, James, made our house feel like home with the scent of his slow-simmered Sunday suppers. This Instant Pot version brings back that same comforting aroma and fall-apart tenderness, keeping his warm memory alive in my kitchen.

Why This Recipe Warms My Heart

Sear for Flavor: Searing the beef tips in batches is the most crucial step for developing a deep, rich flavor in the gravy.
Quick & Tender: The Instant Pot tenderizes the beef beautifully in under an hour, creating a meal that tastes like it cooked all day.
Versatile Dish: This recipe is incredibly versatile and can be served over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles to suit your family’s preference.
Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, this is one of those beef tip recipes that delivers maximum comfort with minimal fuss.

What to Gather From Your Kitchen

2 lbs beef stew meat or sirloin tips, cubed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

A Few of My Trusted Kitchen Helpers

Slotted Spoon

A good slotted spoon is your best friend for this recipe. It allows you to lift the seared beef tips out of the pot while leaving all those flavorful drippings behind to build the base of your gravy.

Silicone Whisk

When it comes to making the gravy slurry, a small silicone whisk is perfect. It helps you mix the cornstarch and water into a smooth paste without any lumps, ensuring your final gravy is silky and perfect.

Let’s Walk Through It Together

The Secret to That Deep, Savory Flavor

Set your Instant Pot to the sauté mode. Once it’s hot, add the olive oil and begin searing your beef tips in batches. My dad always said not to overcrowd the pan, and he was right! Giving the beef space allows it to get a beautiful, brown crust, which is where all the flavor is. Once browned, remove the beef and set it aside on a plate.

Waking Up the Onions and Garlic

Add your diced onion to the pot and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until it starts to soften and turn translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until you can smell its wonderful aroma. Be sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, that’s pure flavor!

Creating That Rich, Savory Bath

Pour in the beef broth to deglaze the pot, stirring well. Add the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir to combine, then gently return the seared beef tips to the pot.

Letting the Magic Happen

Lock the lid on your Instant Pot, make sure the valve is set to the sealing position, and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Once the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before performing a quick release. This gentle, natural release helps keep the beef tips extra tender.

Crafting a Silky, Velvety Gravy

Carefully open the lid and use a slotted spoon to remove the beef. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a smooth slurry. Set the Instant Pot back to sauté mode and slowly whisk the slurry into the hot liquid. Let it bubble and simmer for a minute or two until the gravy has thickened beautifully.

Bringing the Beef Tips Back Home

Turn off the heat and return the beef tips to the pot. Gently stir to coat every single piece with that rich, luscious gravy. It’s the final, satisfying step before serving up this wonderful Instant Pot Stew.

Ready for the Table

Ladle your delicious Beef Tips and Gravy over creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or buttery egg noodles. A little sprinkle of fresh parsley on top adds a touch of color and freshness.

A Note on Nutrition

Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and quantities used. The values are calculated using an online calculator and should be considered an approximation.

For a Lighter Touch

Leaner Beef: Opt for a leaner cut of beef, like top sirloin, and be sure to trim any excess fat before cubing and searing it.
Low-Sodium Broth: To control the sodium content, use a low-sodium beef broth and adjust the salt to your personal taste at the end.
Add Vegetables: Bulk up the dish with hearty vegetables. Add carrots and celery along with the onions, or stir in some frozen peas at the end for a pop of color and extra nutrients.

How Our Family Loves to Serve It

Classic Comfort: My favorite way to serve this is over a generous helping of creamy mashed potatoes. The potatoes are the perfect vehicle for soaking up every last drop of that amazing gravy. Making Instant Pot Beef Tips and Rice is another family favorite.
With Crusty Bread: Serve it in a shallow bowl with a side of warm, crusty bread. There’s nothing better for dipping into the gravy!
Over Egg Noodles: Wide egg noodles are a wonderful pairing. Their texture complements the tender beef tips perfectly, making for an incredibly satisfying meal.

A Few Gentle Tips I’ve Learned

Skipping the Sear: Not taking the time to properly brown the beef tips is the biggest mistake. The searing process creates the deep, complex flavor that is essential for a rich gravy.
Overcrowding the Pot: When searing the meat, do it in at least two batches. If you add too much meat at once, it will steam instead of brown, and you’ll miss out on that crucial flavor development.
Forgetting to Scrape the Pot: After sautéing, there will be browned bits (fond) stuck to the bottom of the Instant Pot. Forgetting to scrape these up when you add the broth can sometimes trigger a “burn” notice and leaves flavor behind.

Keeping Leftovers Cozy

Leftover Beef Tips and Gravy can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The gravy may thicken slightly upon chilling. To reheat, simply warm it gently in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of beef broth if needed to reach your desired consistency.

From My Kitchen to Yours

Food is so much more than just what we eat; it’s a way we share our love and create lasting memories. I hope this Beef Recipe Instant Pot brings as much warmth and comfort to your family table as my dad’s Sunday suppers always brought to ours. I encourage you to gather your loved ones, share this meal, and create memories that you’ll cherish for years to come.

A Few Questions You Might Have

What about adding some mushrooms?

Absolutely! To make a delicious Beef Tips and Mushroom Gravy Instant Pot version, simply sauté 8 ounces of sliced cremini mushrooms after you’ve sautéed the onions and garlic. Cook them until they’ve released their liquid and started to brown before proceeding with the rest of the steps.

Is it okay to use frozen beef tips?

It’s best to thaw the beef tips completely before starting. Searing frozen meat is difficult and won’t result in the same deep, brown crust that builds so much flavor. Thawing ensures the beef cooks evenly and becomes perfectly tender.

Which cut of beef works best for this?

Chuck roast or beef stew meat is ideal because it has great marbling that becomes incredibly tender during the pressure cooking process. You can also use sirloin tips for a slightly leaner, but still tender, result.

Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy

Author: Sarah
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Tender beef tips simmered in a rich, velvety gravy — all made effortlessly in the Instant Pot. A comforting, hearty meal that’s ready in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs beef stew meat or sirloin tips, cubed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Once hot, add olive oil and sear the beef tips in batches until browned. Remove and set aside.
Add diced onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, scraping up browned bits.
Pour in beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
Return beef tips to the pot. Lock lid, set valve to sealing, and pressure cook on high for 25 minutes.
Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
Remove beef tips with a slotted spoon. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until smooth.
Set pot to sauté and slowly whisk in the slurry. Simmer until the gravy thickens.
Return beef tips to the gravy and stir to coat. Turn off heat.
Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Notes

For extra flavor, don’t skip the searing step. Use low-sodium broth if preferred, and add vegetables like carrots or peas for a heartier meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Instant Pot
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 390
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 820mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 105mg

Keywords: beef tips, instant pot, gravy, comfort food, dinner recipe