Instant Pot Beef Tips with Gravy Recipe

The Secret is in the Sear

My grandson calls this my magic meat. I tell him the magic is a good, brown crust. You must dry the beef with a paper towel first. A dry piece of meat will sizzle and brown beautifully.

Do not crowd the pot. Give the meat some space. This makes all the difference. I still laugh at the time I rushed this step. The meat steamed instead of seared. We live and we learn, do not we?

A Little Kitchen Story

This recipe reminds me of my own grandma. She made this in a big, heavy pot on the stove all day. The whole house would smell like heaven. Now, my Instant Pot does the work in under an hour.

But the feeling is the same. It is the feeling of a warm, happy kitchen. That is why this matters. Good food is about more than just eating. It is about feeling cared for.

Making the Gravy Magic

After the meat is tender, we make the gravy. This is the best part. You mix cornstarch and cold water into a smooth slurry. Then you stir it right into the pot.

Watch it thicken before your eyes. Does not that smell amazing? That rich, savory gravy is what brings everything together. It is like a warm hug for your mashed potatoes.

Why We Cook Like This

Cooking a whole meal from scratch can seem hard. But this recipe is a friendly one. It teaches you important steps, like searing and making a gravy. These skills will help you with so many other dishes.

That is why this matters. Learning one good recipe builds your confidence. Soon, you will be creating your own kitchen magic. What is the first meal you ever learned to cook?

Fun Fact & Final Touches

Fun fact: Worcestershire sauce is a fermented liquid. It has little fish in it! This gives the gravy a deep, mysterious flavor you will love.

Serve your beef tips over something soft. Buttery mashed potatoes are my favorite. My husband loves his over egg noodles. What is your favorite thing to eat with gravy? I would love to know.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Stew meat or beef tips	2.5 lbs
Kosher salt	1 tsp
Ground pepper	1 tsp
Olive oil	2 tbsp	For searing
Unsalted butter	2 tbsp
Sweet onion, diced	1 large
Garlic cloves, minced	4
Dry red or white wine	½ cup	Can substitute with more beef broth
Low-sodium beef broth	2 cups
Worcestershire sauce	¼ cup
Fresh thyme	2 sprigs	Or 1 tsp dried thyme
Bay leaf	1
Cornstarch	3 tbsp	For slurry to thicken gravy
Water	3 tbsp	For slurry with cornstarch

My Cozy Beef Tips That Taste Like a Hug

This recipe is my go-to for a busy weeknight. It fills the whole house with a wonderful smell. I think it’s the best kind of comfort food.

My grandson says it tastes like a warm hug. I still laugh at that. But he’s right! It’s so simple to make in your Instant Pot. Let me show you how.

Step 1: Prepare the Beef

First, pat your beef dry with paper towels. This is a secret for a good sear. Then, give it a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. Be generous, it adds so much flavor.

Step 2: Sear the Meat

Now, we sear the meat. Heat up your oil in the pot. Do not crowd the beef! Cook it in two batches. You want a nice brown crust on each piece. (My hard-learned tip: crowding the pot makes the beef steam, not sear!).

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics

Take the beef out and add your butter. Let it melt. Then toss in your onion and garlic. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Cook them until they are soft and fragrant.

Step 4: Deglaze the Pot

Pour in your wine. Use your spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot. Those little brown bits are pure flavor! They make the gravy so rich. Do you know what those bits are called? Share below!

Step 5: Combine and Pressure Cook

Turn off the sauté setting. Put the beef back in the pot. Add the broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and that bay leaf. My mom always said the bay leaf is like a secret whisper of flavor.

Step 6: Natural Pressure Release

Lock the lid on and cook on high pressure. It will take 25 minutes. When it’s done, just walk away for 15 minutes. Let the pressure come down on its own. This keeps the meat super tender.

Step 7: Thicken the Gravy

Mix your cornstarch and water in a little cup. Stir it into the pot. Now let it simmer for a few minutes. Watch the magic happen as the gravy gets thick and lovely.

Cook Time:	25 minutes
Total Time:	About 1 hour
Yield:	6 servings
Category:	Dinner

Let’s Shake Things Up a Little!

This recipe is like a good friend. It’s always wonderful as it is. But sometimes, it’s fun to play dress-up! Here are a few ways to change it.

Mushroom Lover’s Dream

Add a whole package of sliced mushrooms when you cook the onions. They soak up all that gravy so nicely.

A Little Kick

Stir in a teaspoon of smoked paprika with the thyme. It gives the dish a warm, smoky feeling. It’s not too spicy, just cozy.

Sunday Supper Style

Toss in a big handful of baby carrots with the broth. They get so soft and sweet. It makes the meal feel extra special.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

The Perfect Plate for Your Beef Tips

Now, what to serve with your beautiful beef? My favorite is a big pile of fluffy mashed potatoes. That gravy just pools in them perfectly. Buttered egg noodles are another classic choice. They are so simple and good.

For a drink, a glass of red wine like a Merlot goes nicely with the rich beef. For the kids, or for me on a weeknight, I love a cold glass of apple cider. The little bit of sweetness is a perfect match.

Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Beef Tips Cozy

This recipe makes a wonderful big batch. You can keep it in the fridge for four days. It tastes even better the next day.

To freeze it, let the stew cool completely. Then put it in a freezer-safe container. It will be happy in your freezer for three months. I remember my first time freezing this. I was so glad to have a ready-made meal for a busy night.

Reheat it gently on the stove with a splash of broth. This keeps the gravy nice and smooth. Batch cooking like this saves you time and stress. It means a warm meal is always close by. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Hiccups

Is your gravy too thin? Just mix a little more cornstarch with cold water. Stir it into the hot stew. It will thicken up in no time.

If the meat is tough, it needed more cooking time. I once took the lid off too early. Just put it back on for five more minutes. This makes the meat tender and perfect.

Do not skip searing the meat. That brown crust adds so much flavor. Getting these steps right builds your cooking confidence. It turns a simple stew into something special. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Beef Tip Questions Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Just use tamari instead of Worcestershire sauce. Check your broth label too.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. The flavors get better after sitting overnight.

Q: What can I use instead of wine? A: More beef broth works just fine. You will still get a rich taste.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: Do not fill your pot more than halfway. This keeps everything cooking safely.

Q: Any optional tips? A: A splash of cream at the end is a lovely treat. Fun fact: Thyme is a member of the mint family! Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this recipe brings warmth to your table. It is a hug in a bowl. I love hearing your kitchen stories.

Please share your creations with me. Show me your beautiful bowls of beef tips. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I cannot wait to see what you make.

Happy cooking!

—Olivia Hartwell.