Mastering Perfectly Cooked Beef Tenderloin in the Instant Pot

Beef tenderloin is a delicious yet expensive cut of meat that can be easily overcooked and turned dry or chewy. Thankfully, the instant pot allows you to cook beef tenderloin to tender, juicy perfection in under 30 minutes with minimal effort.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know to nail perfectly cooked beef tenderloin every time using the instant pot, including cook times, prep tips, doneness guides, and flavoring ideas.

Benefits of the Instant Pot for Beef Tenderloin

Here are some of the biggest benefits of using the instant pot for cooking beef tenderloin:

• Speed – The pressurized environment cuts the cook time down significantly compared to oven roasting You can have tenderloin ready start to finish in under 30 minutes.

• Juicy and tender – The moist heat environment prevents the delicate tenderloin from drying out keeping it incredibly tender and succulent.

• Enhanced flavor – Cooking in the instant pot allows the meat to absorb flavors like garlic, herbs and wine.

• Convenience – Just toss in ingredients, set the time, and walk away. No constant basting or temp monitoring required.

• Versatile – Use for steak, whole roasts, or shred for sandwiches. You can also wrap in pastry for easy Beef Wellington.

Choosing the Right Cut

For the instant pot, look for a whole untied beef tenderloin with the fat cap still attached if possible. Or choose a center-cut tenderloin roast. Avoid pre-cut tenderloin filets, which overcook quickly.

Instant Pot Beef Tenderloin Cook Time

Cook time varies based on size. For a whole tenderloin, plan on:

• 1 – 1.5 lbs: 9-12 minutes
• 1.5 – 2 lbs: 12-15 minutes
• 2 – 3 lbs: 15-18 minutes

For a tenderloin roast, cook for just a few minutes longer.

Use a meat thermometer to confirm it reaches 145°F for medium rare. Allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes after cooking.

Prepping Beef Tenderloin for the Instant Pot

To prepare beef tenderloin for the instant pot:

• Trim off any excess fat or silver skin
• Generously season all over with salt and pepper
• Quickly sear on all sides in a hot skillet to brown
• Deglaze skillet with wine or broth to get up browned bits
• Stud with whole garlic cloves and fresh herbs

Step-By-Step Instant Pot Beef Tenderloin

Here are the simple steps to cook tenderloin in the instant pot:

1. Add 1⁄2 cup liquid like wine or broth to pot
2. Place seasoned tenderloin on a trivet or steamer basket if possible
3. Add aromatics like garlic and herbs
4. Pressure cook on high for time based on size
5. Allow pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes
6. Let meat rest 5-10 minutes before slicing

Flavoring Suggestions

I like to use bold flavors like garlic, rosemary, thyme and red wine when cooking beef tenderloin in the instant pot. The flavors really permeate the meat.

You can also use ingredients like mustard, cumin, paprika, mushrooms and beef broth to add flavor. Try topping with chimichurri, béarnaise or horseradish sauce.

Serving Instant Pot Beef Tenderloin

Beef tenderloin is very versatile. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Carve into slices for whole roasted tenderloin
• Cut into 1-inch steaks and sear in butter or oil
• Shred into thin pieces for amazing sandwiches
• Chill and slice over lettuce for elegant tenderloin salad
• Wrap in puff pastry after cooking for easy Beef Wellington

Common Questions

Should you sear beef tenderloin before the instant pot?

Yes, searing adds great flavor and color. Just 2-3 minutes per side in a very hot skillet does the trick.

What instant pot setting should you use?

Use the Manual/Pressure Cook setting on High pressure. Make sure the vent is sealed, not venting.

How can you tell when beef tenderloin is done?

Use a meat thermometer to check for 145°F for medium rare doneness. It should feel firm but still have a slight bounce.

Should you let beef tenderloin rest after the instant pot?

Always allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes, up to 10 minutes for larger cuts. This allows the juices to redistribute.

Instant Pot Beef Tenderloin Recipe

This simple recipe results in incredibly tender, flavorful beef tenderloin ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef tenderloin
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 sprigs thyme and rosemary
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Season tenderloin all over with salt and pepper.

2. Heat oil in skillet and sear 2-3 minutes per side.

3. Add garlic to skillet and cook 1 minute.

4. Deglaze skillet with broth, scraping up browned bits.

5. Add broth mixture, herbs and tenderloin to instant pot.

6. Pressure cook 15 minutes then natural release 10 minutes.

7. Rest tenderloin 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

The tenderloin comes out perfect edge to edge with this simple instant pot recipe, incredibly moist and tender with wonderful garlic and herb flavors. I like to serve the slices with the pan juices drizzled over the top.

So for special occasion worthy beef tenderloin with minimal fuss and time, be sure to give the instant pot a try. In around 30 minutes total you’ll have phenomenally tender results the whole family will love.