Speedy Satisfying Instant Pot Beef Tips with Rich Gravy

Right then, settle down, chuck a kettle on, because we’re talking proper grub today. You know those nights when you’ve had a day like a dog’s dinner, and all you crave is something that tastes like it’s been simmering since last Tuesday?

That’s where this Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy swoops in like a hero. The smell alone oh, mate, the smell it fills the kitchen with that deep, slow cooked aroma, but honestly, you’ll be eating it before the news is on.

Why This Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy Recipe Reigns Supreme

It’s simple, really. This recipe is my go-to for transforming cheap cuts of meat into something fit for a Sunday roast, but in about an hour flat. Forget soaking beef overnight or waiting for that low-and-slow magic. The pressure cooker does the heavy lifting.

This is truly one of those Comfort Food Instant Pot Recipes that saves the day.

The Magic of Pressure Cooking for Tender Beef

I used to think getting beef tips that melted when you looked at them meant hours in the oven. Not anymore! Pressure cooking is brilliant because it forces moisture back into the meat while it cooks. When you cook chuck steak under pressure, those tough bits of connective tissue just dissolve into silkiness.

If you’re worried about texture, this method guarantees tender beef . My biggest early mistake was not searing properly, which meant I missed out on half the flavour. Don’t be like past me!

Expectations vs. Reality: A Quick Cook Masterpiece

People often ask if the gravy tastes rushed. Absolutely not. By searing the beef first and building flavour with the onions and garlic right in the pot, we create a super rich base. Even using beef broth and a tiny splash of Worcestershire, the pressure concentrates everything.

You get the depth you’d expect from hours of stewing, just in minutes. This is genuinely the Best Instant Pot Beef Tips Recipe I've landed on for weeknights.

Unlock Weeknight Comfort: Flavor Without the Fuss

If you are looking for Easy Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy , stop searching. The beauty of this is how forgiving it is. Yes, you could use a Instant Pot Beef Tips Gravy Packet , but honestly, taking three minutes to make a fresh slurry with cornstarch and water gives you a velvety, glossy Instant Pot Beef Tips with Brown Gravy that tastes miles better.

No weird additives, just good, honest flavour.

Perfect Pairings for Your Rich Gravy

So, you’ve got this gorgeously thick sauce. What now? Well, if you’re making Instant Pot Beef Tips Rice , you want to serve them right over the top. The rice soaks up all that gorgeous Instant Pot Beef Tips Brown Gravy .

If you’re feeling slightly fancier, thick, buttery egg noodles work a treat. We almost always serve ours with creamy mash, as there’s nothing better than scraping up the last bit of gravy with a potato! Seriously, don't waste a single drop of that liquid gold.

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Right then, let's get cracking on a recipe that’s proper comfort food, but made in a jiffy! The Instant Pot is a godsend for getting those deep, slow cooked flavours without spending half the day chained to the stove.

Beef tips in a rich gravy it’s the sort of thing that makes you want to put your feet up and watch the telly afterwards. This, my friends, is the secret to Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy when you need a proper feed, sharpish.

Stocking Your Pantry: Components for Deep Flavor

To get that slow cooked flavour without waiting all day, we need a few non-negotiables in the pot. These ingredients are the bedrock of what makes this dish so satisfying. Forget those dodgy Instant Pot Beef Tips Gravy Packet solutions; we’re making the real deal here.

The Core Meat and Liquid List

First up, the star: the beef. We need about 1.5 lbs (680g) of good stewing beef, ideally chuck, cut into decent, manageable tips. It’s important you trim off most of the hard, silvery fat, but leave a little bit of marbling that melts down beautifully.

We dust these beauties in 2 tablespoons of plain flour, salt, and pepper before searing. That light coating is key; it helps build flavour and thickens the sauce later. For the liquid base, 1.5 cups (360ml) of low-sodium beef broth is ideal.

If you’re stuck, you can use chicken broth, but bulk it up with a good teaspoon of Marmite or a bouillon cube to keep that dark colour and deep flavour.

Aromatic Enhancers: Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings

This is where we turn simple meat and stock into something special. You must have 3 minced garlic cloves and one medium diced onion. Cook these down after searing the meat it makes the kitchen smell like Sunday lunch is already happening! Crucially, we add 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.

This provides that subtle, tangy umami punch that balances the richness. A half teaspoon of dried thyme and one dried bay leaf go in too. If you don't have thyme, a tiny pinch of dried rosemary works as a decent substitute, but don't overdo it!

Thickening Agents: Achieving the Ideal Gravy Consistency

We want that gorgeous, velvety Instant Pot Beef Brown Gravy , not watery soup. For this, we rely on a cornstarch slurry right at the end. Whisk 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water until it’s totally smooth no lumps!

This slurry goes in after the pressure cooking cycle finishes, while the pot is on the low sauté setting. Seeing that sauce thicken up in about 90 seconds? Pure magic.

If you're aiming for a Best Instant Pot Beef Tips Recipe , this step is what delivers the textbook gravy texture.

Sourcing the Best Beef for Pressure Cooking

Choosing the right cut is half the battle, especially when you’re relying on the Instant Pot to do the heavy lifting. You’re looking for cuts with plenty of connective tissue.

If you can’t find pre-cut stewing beef, grab a nice joint of chuck steak. Chuck is brilliant because the collagen breaks down under high pressure, making the meat ridiculously tender and naturally enriching your gravy. I once tried using sirloin tips, thinking I was being fancy, and they came out dry.

Lesson learned: tough cuts cook tender in the IP, lean cuts get chewy! This recipe sings when served over Instant Pot Beef Tips Rice or mashed potatoes, making it the ultimate Comfort Food Instant Pot Recipes entry.

The Two-Part Cooking Sequence for Optimal Results

Right then, this Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy recipe relies on getting the maximum flavour before we let the pressure cooker work its magic. If you rush this first part, your final gravy will taste a bit flat, like a damp Tuesday morning. We need depth, see?

We’re aiming for that rich, deep colour that says, "I’ve been simmering all day," even though it’s only taken minutes.

Pre-Searing Secrets for Building the Fond

This is where we earn our supper, honestly. Get your Instant Pot switched over to the Sauté function. Toss the seasoned, flour dusted beef tips into a mix of butter and oil. Now, here’s the trick: don’t pile them in like you’re feeding a queue at the chippy.

Do it in batches. If you overcrowd the pot, the meat steams instead of searing, and we absolutely do not want steamed beef. We want a dark, crusty brown exterior.

As the beef browns, all those lovely meaty bits stick to the bottom of the pot. That sticky brown layer is called the fond , and it’s pure gold. When you remove the beef and sauté your onions, you must scrape that fond up with a wooden spoon.

If you skip this, the pressure cooker will throw a "Burn" warning faster than you can say "Bob’s your uncle." We use a splash of broth right then to deglaze and lift all that flavour straight into the cooking liquid.

This foundational step is what separates good Easy Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy from the truly spectacular ones.

Pressure Cooking Times and Natural Release Protocol

Once everything is back in the beef, the rest of the broth, the Worcestershire, and the herbs secure the lid. For this cut of beef, we need enough time to break down those tough bits, turning them into the fork tender morsels we crave.

Set your Instant Pot to Manual/Pressure Cook (High Pressure) for a firm 25 minutes .

When the timer goes off, here is my biggest tip for truly tender meat: patience. Do not immediately open the vent. We need a 5-minute Natural Pressure Release (NPR) . This slow drop in pressure coaxes the last bit of moisture back into the meat fibres.

After those five minutes are up, then you can carefully switch the valve to Venting for a Quick Release (QR) of the remaining steam. If you go straight to QR, the meat can sometimes seize up a bit, making it chewier.

Trust me, a few extra minutes here makes all the difference to your Best Instant Pot Beef Tips Recipe .

Testing for Tenderness: The Fork Test

Once the pot is safely depressurised and you’ve fished out that bay leaf (don’t forget it, or someone will get a nasty surprise!), take a piece of beef out on a spoon. Poke it gently with a fork. Does it shred easily? If it offers serious resistance, it’s not quite there.

If this happens, simply pop the lid back on, set the vent to Seal, and pressure cook for another 3– 5 minutes, followed by another 5-minute NPR. Most of the time, though, after that initial 25 minutes, it should be falling apart beautifully.

This perfect tenderness is what makes this dish a top-tier Comfort Food Instant Pot Recipe .

Achieving the Signature Richness in Your Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy

We’ve got tender beef; now we need that thick, glossy sauce. If you were making Instant Pot Beef Tips Brown Gravy Mix from a packet, you’d just stir it in, but we’re making the real deal here.

We’re going to use a simple cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce right in the pot. This is fast, cheap, and gives you control over the final consistency.

Developing the Final Velvety Gravy Finish

Switch your Instant Pot back to the Sauté function, but keep it on Low . Bring the cooking liquid (which should already be flavourful from the searing and broth) up to a gentle simmer. While it warms, prepare your slurry.

In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with the cold water until it looks like smooth white paint absolutely no dry clumps allowed!

Slowly drizzle this slurry into the simmering liquid while constantly stirring the base. Keep stirring! You’ll notice the liquid starting to thicken within 60 to 90 seconds. It should become glossy and cling nicely to the back of a spoon.

If you prefer a truly thick gravy, perfect for spooning over Instant Pot Beef Tips Rice , let it bubble for a full two minutes. If it gets too thick, just add a splash more broth until it’s perfect.

This final step transforms the broth into that irresistible, dark, and velvety Instant Pot Beef Tips with Mushroom Gravy -style finish (even if you didn’t use mushrooms!).

For leftovers, this thickens up even more in the fridge, so don't worry if it seems slightly thin when you first take it off the heat. We’re done! Dish it out, sprinkle with fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy, and enjoy the best Sunday dinner flavour without the Sunday fuss.

It keeps brilliantly in the fridge for up to four days, too.

Right then, we’ve made ourselves a cracking batch of Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy . They’re tender, the gravy is deep and savoury, and frankly, it tastes like it took six hours instead of fifty minutes. Now, the important bit: what happens when you have leftovers?

Or, better yet, how do we stop ourselves from eating it all right now? Let’s dive into sorting out the aftermath and jazzing things up for tomorrow.

Troubleshooting and Culinary Customizations

Look, the beauty of this Easy Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy is that it’s simple. But even simple things can go a bit sideways, eh? Most issues boil down to texture or flavour adjustments. If your gravy is too thin, don't panic. Remember that slurry we made?

If it’s not clinging to the beef tips properly, just make a tiny bit more a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a teaspoon of cold water and stir it in while the pot is on the Sauté function (Low). Whisk constantly until it bubbles and thickens. Patience is key here; don't dump it all in at once.

If, on the other hand, you feel like the flavour is a bit flat maybe you used low-sodium broth, or perhaps your beef wasn't the best we can fix that. A splash of good quality red wine vinegar (just a teaspoon!) right at the end brightens everything up.

If you wanted a richer, darker finish perhaps aiming for an Instant Pot Beef Tips with Brown Gravy vibe a tiny bit of Marmite stirred in at the end works wonders for that deep umami hit. Just a tiny blob, mind you!

Elevating Leftovers: Next Day Flavor Boosts

Leftovers, in my experience, are often better than the first serving. The flavours marry overnight, you see. When you reheat your Comfort Food Instant Pot Recipes , don't just zap it in the microwave.

Take those leftovers, perhaps thin them slightly with a splash of extra broth or water if they’ve thickened too much overnight, and use them to make something new. A couple of days after making this, I often use the leftover beef and gravy to top baked potatoes slashed open, fluffy inside, smothered in the rich sauce.

It’s dead simple, proper filling, and feels like a whole new meal. You’re essentially turning that lovely Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy into a delicious, quick topping.

Serving Suggestions Beyond Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are the classic pairing, aren't they? They are brilliant for scooping up every last bit of that glorious gravy. But we don't want to be predictable every time. For a slight change of pace, try serving this over buttery, soft polenta.

The texture contrast is fantastic creamy polenta against the chunky beef. Or, if you are leaning towards lighter fare, serve it over some cauliflower mash; it cuts the richness nicely if you’ve had a heavy day.

If you want an absolute winner for the kids (or the big kids, like me), spoon the beef tips and gravy straight over chips. Yes, proper chippy chips. It turns this into a very decadent kind of poutine, without the cheese curds getting in the way of the lovely Instant Pot Beef Tips Brown Gravy Mix flavour base we built.

We also mentioned serving this over Instant Pot Beef Tips Rice in the notes it works a treat, soaking up all that lovely liquid.

Storing and Reheating Your Comfort Classic

Storing this properly is crucial if you want it to taste just as good tomorrow. Since this is essentially a thick stew, it keeps brilliantly. Make sure you cool it down relatively quickly after cooking.

Pop the remainder into an airtight container once it's reached room temperature don't leave it sitting out for hours, that's a recipe for a tummy rumble! It will happily sit in the fridge for three to four days.

When it comes to reheating, the slow and steady approach wins. Microwaving is fine if you’re in a rush, but always heat it gently and stir every minute or so, as the gravy can sometimes separate or heat unevenly. If you have time, the best way is on the stovetop.

Place the beef and gravy in a saucepan over medium low heat. Add a tablespoon or two of water or broth to stop it from sticking and allow it to warm through slowly, stirring occasionally until it's piping hot throughout. This method keeps the meat tender and the gravy smooth.

Freezing Guidelines for Long Term Storage

If you’ve made a massive batch (which I often do waste not, want not!), freezing is your friend. This recipe freezes exceptionally well. The key here is making sure the gravy is thickened before freezing. If you froze it thin, it might separate a bit upon thawing.

Once cooled, portion the Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy into freezer safe containers or heavy duty zip-top bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible, especially if bagging it flat.

It will keep well in the freezer for up to three months. Thawing is best done overnight in the fridge before you plan to use it. If you are thawing from frozen directly, use the defrost setting on your microwave or place the container in a sink full of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes until it’s thawed enough to transfer to the fridge or stove.

Never reheat from solid frozen in the microwave, or you’ll end up with a hot outside and a frozen centre, which is just a mess.

Serving Suggestions Beyond Mashed Potatoes

Look, if you’re aiming for that deeper Instant Pot Beef Tips with Mushroom Gravy flavour profile without adding mushrooms, sometimes you need a fresh, herby hit right at the end. A scattering of fresh parsley, as suggested in the recipe, is great, but sometimes I go further.

If you have some fresh rosemary, finely chop a tiny bit maybe half a teaspoon and stir it in just as you take it off the heat. It gives a lovely forest aroma that pairs beautifully with the rich beef.

If you find yourself using a Instant Pot Beef Tips Gravy Packet because you were in a massive hurry (no judgment here, we’ve all been there!), always bolster the flavour with a dash of vinegar or wine to prevent it tasting too processed.

The flavour needs grounding, which the meat and broth provide, but a little acidic lift never hurt anyone. This recipe truly shines as one of the Best Instant Pot Beef Tips Recipe options out there because it handles these flavour tweaks so beautifully.

Choosing the Right Cut of Beef for Your Tips

Right then, let's get cracking on a recipe that’s proper comfort food, but made in a jiffy! The Instant Pot is a godsend for getting those deep, slow cooked flavours without spending half the day chained to the stove.

Beef tips in a rich gravy it’s the sort of thing that makes you want to put your feet up and watch the telly afterwards. We are aiming for truly tender meat that falls apart slightly, enriching the Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy .

If you use the wrong meat, you’ll end up with chewy little rubber bullets, and nobody wants that, do they?

This whole concept relies on pressure cooking, which is fantastic for turning tough joints into sublime bites. But even the Instant Pot has its limits. Picking the right bovine bounty is half the battle won before you even hit the 'Sauté' button.

The Workhorse Cuts: Why Chuck is King

When you’re looking for meat that is destined for a long, steamy hug in a pressure cooker, you need something with good connective tissue. This might sound fancy, but it’s dead simple: you want the bits that did a bit of walking.

The undisputed champion for this job, and honestly, for nearly any stew or slow cook, is the Chuck. Specifically, look for Chuck Steak or pre-cut Beef Stew Meat .

Why the Chuck? It’s marbled, meaning it has flecks of fat running through it. More importantly, it has lovely bits of collagen. During the relatively quick high pressure cooking cycle of the Best Instant Pot Beef Tips Recipe , that tough collagen breaks down into luscious gelatin.

This does two brilliant things: first, it tenderises the meat until it’s fork tender; second, it naturally thickens and enriches your Instant Pot Brown Gravy without needing too much flour later on.

I remember the first time I tried making a proper stew with fillet steak don't ask! It was lean, it was expensive, and it dried out faster than a forgotten tea bag. Lesson learned quickly: save the tenderloins for a quick pan-sear.

For our Easy Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy , it’s the Chuck that does the heavy lifting.

What About Tender Loin or Sirloin? Give ‘Em a Rest!

Now, you might see lovely, lean cuts like Sirloin or Rump steak on offer. They look brilliant, all red and tempting. You can use them, but you must understand the trade off.

If you pressure cook Sirloin for the standard 25 minutes we use for this recipe, you risk making it dry, even though it’s more tender to start with. These cuts are better suited for quick cooking methods think stir fries or thin steaks you just blast under the grill.

If you absolutely must use a leaner cut for your Instant Pot Beef Tips with Mushroom Gravy , you need to drastically reduce the pressure cook time. I’m talking 10 minutes maximum, followed by a full Natural Release.

Even then, you might not get that satisfying, pull apart texture that comes from a Chuck roast melting down. For a truly satisfying result that rivals any Sunday lunch, stick to the shoulder cuts.

Sizing Up Your Tips: Don’t Cut Too Small

When you’re trimming your stew meat, or cubing a larger piece of chuck, aim for roughly one-inch cubes. If you cut them too small say, half inch pieces they will shred to bits during the pressure cooking, turning your beautiful stew into more of a thick mince, which isn't quite what we want for Instant Pot Beef Tips with Rice .

If you're in a complete rush and worried about finding quality stew meat, sometimes people turn to using one of those Instant Pot Beef Tips Gravy Packet mixes for flavour, but honestly, searing the meat properly and building that base flavour (which we do by browning the meat and onions) is leagues better.

The beauty of this recipe is how the beef juices combine with the broth to create a phenomenal Instant Pot Beef Tips with Brown Gravy all on their own. Trust the process, my dears!

We are aiming for ultimate, low-fuss satisfaction here, making this one of the best Comfort Food Instant Pot Recipes out there.

Getting Down to Brass Tacks: Building the Flavor Base

Right then, this bit is where we separate the microwave meals from the proper grub. If you're after truly brilliant Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy , you can’t just chuck everything in and press ‘go’.

The secret sauce or rather, the secret sizzle —happens right here. We're building flavour layers that usually take Grandma six hours on the hob, but we’re doing it in twenty minutes flat thanks to that magical pressure cooker.

The Non-Negotiable Sear: Creating Depth

Look, I know the Instant Pot has a Sauté function, and it's tempting to just toss the meat in and walk away. Don’t you dare! If you skip the searing, you end up with boiled beef swimming in thin, sad liquid. We need colour. We need flavour .

That deep brown crust you get on the outside of the beef? That’s pure gold dust for your final gravy.

I always pat my beef tips bone dry first wet meat steams, it doesn't brown. Then, a light dusting of flour, salt, and pepper. Make sure your oil and butter mix is shimmering hot on the Sauté setting before the meat hits the pan.

You want to hear a satisfying hiss , not a timid sigh. I do mine in batches, honestly. Cramming them in cools the pan down, and bam, back to steaming. Get them brown on all sides, take them out, and admire your handiwork.

This browning process is crucial for the Best Instant Pot Beef Tips Recipe you’ll ever make.

Waking Up the Aromatics: The Savoury Foundation

Once the beef is resting, the pot will have these lovely brown bits stuck to the bottom that’s the fond . That fond is the very soul of your Instant Pot Beef Tips Brown Gravy . It's concentrated flavour waiting to be rescued.

This is where the onions and garlic come in. Drop them into the hot fat left behind from the beef. They need to soften up and soak up all that lovely beefy residue. If you rush this stage, your onions taste raw, and that throws the whole dish off balance.

About three minutes for the onions, then just sixty seconds for the garlic. Don’t let the garlic burn, or you’ll get that bitter taste that ruins everything a lesson I learned the hard way during my student days, believe you me!

Then comes the critical part: deglazing. Pour in just a splash of that cold beef broth and get scrubbing with a wooden spoon. You must scrape every single brown speck off the bottom of the pot. That scraping action prevents the dreaded ‘Burn’ warning later on.

It’s the number one trick for successful Easy Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy . If you do this right, you’ve locked in flavour without needing to buy an expensive Instant Pot Beef Tips Gravy Packet .

Building the Liquid Gold

With the base sizzling beautifully, we add the heavy hitters: the rest of the broth, thyme, and that little pot of magic known as Worcestershire sauce. That sauce is what gives the Instant Pot Beef Tips with Brown Gravy that deep, almost molasses like background note.

It’s small, but mighty. I also throw in a bay leaf here it just adds an old-school depth that you can’t quite put your finger on later, but you’d miss it if it weren't there.

Now, everything is ready for pressure. We seal it up, set that timer, and let the pressure cooker do what it does best. Achieving that slow cooked tenderness for the Comfort Food Instant Pot Recipes list is the whole point of using the machine.

Once done, you’ll be ready for the final flourish, whether you’re aiming for a simple brown gravy or perhaps an Instant Pot Beef Tips with Mushroom Gravy twist next time. Serving this over rice or noodles makes for a magnificent dinner.

Dialing In Your Cooking Times for Perfect Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy

Right then, listen up. If you’re anything like me, you love the idea of slow cooked, falling apart meat, but you haven't got all day to sit around waiting for it. That’s where the pressure cooker or as I lovingly call mine, "The Magic Pot" shines.

When we are making Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy , timing is everything. Get this bit right, and you’ve cracked the code to brilliant, hassle free comfort food.

This guide specifically focuses on getting those beef tips perfectly tender, swimming in that deeply savoury Instant Pot Beef Tips Brown Gravy , without turning them into shoe leather. Because nobody wants tough beef tips, right? We’re aiming for fork tender, guaranteed.

The Critical 25-Minute Rule

For decent sized beef tips about 1 inch chunks of chuck steak I’ve found my sweet spot. It’s all about the pressure phase itself.

After you’ve done the hard graft of searing (don’t skip that, it’s flavour building 101!) and got everything bubbling away nicely with your beef broth and herbs, it’s time to seal the lid. Set the machine to High Pressure.

For the Easy Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy , you want the timer set for 25 minutes . Seriously, twenty five minutes is where the magic happens for stewing cuts like chuck. Any less, and you risk slightly chewy edges.

Any more, and while it won't ruin the meal, it’s unnecessary waiting time. This duration allows the tough collagen in the beef to properly dissolve into luscious gelatin, which, by the way, helps thicken our Instant Pot Beef Tips Brown Gravy Mix naturally.

The Importance of the Release: Don’t Rush It!

This is where I’ve learned the hard way, usually when I'm starving and impatient! After those 25 minutes are up, you absolutely must let the pressure come down gently. This is called a Natural Pressure Release, or NPR.

If you immediately flick the valve to quick release (QR), the sudden drop in pressure can cause the meat fibres to seize up, sometimes leaving your tips a little less tender than you hoped. It’s like forcing a shy person onto a stage!

For this Best Instant Pot Beef Tips Recipe , I strongly recommend a 5-minute Natural Release . Wait five full minutes after the machine pings. Then, and only then, should you carefully turn the vent to release any hissing steam left over.

This gentle cooldown keeps those beef fibres relaxed and juicy. It’s a tiny step that makes a massive difference in texture. Trust me on this one; I’ve ruined perfectly cooked beef by being impatient!

Finishing Touches and Gravy Consistency

Once the lid is off and you’ve discarded your bay leaf, we move to the final stage: gravy creation. Whether you are aiming for a straight Instant Pot Beef Tips Gravy Packet consistency or one made from scratch, the method is the same.

You need to thicken the cooking liquid. I use a simple cornstarch slurry two tablespoons of starch mixed with three tablespoons of cold water. Set the pot back to Sauté (Low). Whisk that slurry in slowly while the liquid simmers. It will thicken quickly, usually within 60 to 90 seconds.

If you’re using a Instant Pot Beef Tips Gravy Packet , follow the packet instructions, but still add the powder slowly while simmering on Sauté mode.

You are looking for a rich, velvety coating that clings nicely to the meat perfect for smothering over mashed potatoes or serving alongside Instant Pot Beef Tips Rice .

This final consistency check ensures your Comfort Food Instant Pot Recipes turn out just right every time. Happy cooking!

Thickening the Gravy Perfectly for Your Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy

Right then, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. We’ve had our Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy bubbling away under pressure. The beef is tender fork-tender, the way it should be. But now? Now we’ve got to sort out this liquid.

A great pot of beef stew or tips is only as good as its gravy. If it’s watery, well, it’s just sad beef soup , isn’t it? We want that thick, glossy, comforting blanket of sauce.

This step separates the amateurs from the folks who know how to nail Easy Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy every single time.

The Magic of the Slurry (No Lumps Allowed)

If you’ve used a Gravy Packet before, you might be tempted to just dump something in while it’s boiling. Hold your horses! That usually ends in lumps awful, floury white lumps that look like tiny ghosts swimming in your sauce.

We are aiming for smooth, luxurious Instant Pot Beef Tips with Brown Gravy .

The trick, as outlined in the recipe, is the cornstarch slurry. It’s dead simple, but timing matters. You need two parts cold water to every one part cornstarch. For our recipe, that’s 2 tablespoons of cornstarch whisked vigorously into 3 tablespoons of cold water.

Whisk until it looks like slightly cloudy milk. Cold water is the key here; it disperses the starch granules so they don't clump up when they hit the heat.

I learned this the hard way years ago, trying to thicken a batch of gravy during Christmas dinner. Ended up looking like wallpaper paste! Lesson learned: slurry must be cold and smooth.

Building the Perfect Consistency

Once your beef is done and you’ve released the pressure, make sure you set the Instant Pot back to the Sauté function, but keep it on Low . We want a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil, when we add the thickener.

Slowly, slowly, drizzle that slurry into the liquid while stirring constantly. Seriously, keep that spoon moving! You’ll notice the change almost immediately. The liquid will start to lose its thin, watery look and gain body. It should go from looking like thin tea to looking like a proper, rich sauce.

This usually takes just a minute or two.

If, after two minutes of simmering and stirring, you feel it’s still a bit too thin for your liking maybe you want it thick enough to coat the back of a spoon perfectly for those Instant Pot Beef Tips Rice servings don’t panic.

Just mix up another small half batch of slurry and whisk it in. Go slow! You can always add more thickener, but you can’t take it out once it’s gone in. This patience is what makes the difference between an okay sauce and the Best Instant Pot Beef Tips Recipe you’ll ever make.

Finishing Touches for Depth

While we are focusing on texture here, don’t forget flavour. If you used a Instant Pot Beef Tips Brown Gravy Mix as a shortcut, you might not need much, but since we’ve built ours from scratch with broth and Worcestershire, it should be deep already.

Once you hit that perfect thickness the consistency that makes you drool just looking at it kill the heat. Let it settle for a moment. This slight cooling period helps the starch fully hydrate and sets the thickness before serving.

A tiny final crack of black pepper here, perhaps a dash more salt if your broth was low-sodium, and you are ready. This rich gravy clings beautifully to whatever you serve it with, making this recipe a genuine Comfort Food Instant Pot Recipes champion. You’ve nailed it!

Now, get ready to serve those tender tips swimming in glorious brown sauce.

Serving Up Perfection: Making the Most of Your Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy

Right then, the pressure cooker has done its magic. You’ve released the steam, the aroma wafting from the pot is absolutely brilliant that deep, savoury smell that instantly screams comfort. Now comes the fun bit: serving! Because a dish like this isn't just food; it’s an experience.

We’re making Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy , and how you plate it can make it feel like a proper Sunday roast, even if it’s only Tuesday night.

The Unbeatable Trio: Mash, Noodles, or Rice

When you’ve got a rich, glossy Instant Pot Beef Brown Gravy like this, you need something to catch every last drop. My personal leaning? Mashed potatoes. They’re creamy, they’re comforting, and they act like little sponges for that luscious sauce.

Forget fiddly fancy mash; just get the butter and cream in there until they’re smooth enough to spread on toast. It’s the Best Instant Pot Beef Tips Recipe pairing, hands down.

However, I know everyone has their go-to. If you’re short on time or just prefer a different texture, serving these Easy Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy over wide egg noodles is the traditional route. They hold the gravy beautifully and give the dish a rustic, satisfying feel.

If you’re looking for an incredibly quick weeknight meal, plonking these over a mound of plain Instant Pot Beef Tips Rice is brilliant. The rice absorbs the flavour from below, making for a lovely, integrated meal.

Don’t Fear the Mushrooms (or Skip 'Em!)

I’ve mentioned in the variations that adding mushrooms ramps things up a notch. If you decide to go down the route of Instant Pot Beef Tips with Mushroom Gravy , the serving suggestions shift slightly.

The mushrooms add an earthy texture that pairs perfectly with something starchy but a little lighter on the palate than heavy mash. Think fluffy couscous or even some quick cooking polenta, which feels a bit more grown-up but is just as easy to make.

Now, if you used a Instant Pot Beef Tips Gravy Packet or a pre-made mix instead of my slurry (no judgment here we all need a shortcut sometimes!), the flavour profile will be a bit bolder. In that case, lean into sharper green sides.

A side of quick steamed asparagus or green beans tossed with a dash of lemon zest really helps balance that deeper, richer flavour you get from a packet mix. It cuts through the richness beautifully, stopping the whole plate feeling too heavy.

A Lesson in Gravy Patience

One thing I’ve learned over the years with any stew or braise, whether it’s slow cooker or pressure cooker, is that the final consistency of the gravy is key. When thickening at the end with that cornstarch slurry, give it a full minute or two of simmering on the Sauté function, stirring constantly.

You want it glossy, not cloudy. If you rush this step, you might end up with thin sauce running everywhere, which defeats the purpose of having such wonderful Comfort Food Instant Pot Recipes .

Trust me, a minute of stirring makes the difference between ‘nice sauce’ and ‘proper coating gravy’.

And finally, garnish! Don't just ladle it out. A scattering of fresh parsley brightens the whole look up instantly. It’s the chef's touch that costs nothing but adds loads of visual appeal.

Whether you’re serving these Instant Pot Beef Tips with Rich Gravy for a family dinner or just treating yourself after a long day, these simple sides and finishing touches elevate the whole shebang. Dig in!

If you're craving more ideas, explore The Ultimate Savory Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe Smoked Paprika Crispy , Best Ever Authentic Goulash Recipe SlowCooked Hungarian Beef Stew and The Ultimate Classic OldFashioned Goulash A Proper OnePot Comfort .