Instant Pot Beef Tips are very tender and tasty beef tips that are braised and pressure cooked in a rich gravy. Serve these amazing pressure cooker beef tips over mashed potatoes or rice for an excellent meal!.
Pressure cookers are a busy cook’s secret weapon for preparing fork-tender beef cubes in a fraction of the usual time. With their ability to build up and cook at higher temperatures, pressure cookers can turn tough, inexpensive cuts of beef into meltingly tender meat in less than an hour. But exactly how long should you cook beef cubes in a pressure cooker to achieve the ideal texture? Here’s a complete guide to cooking times and techniques for perfect beef cubes every time.
Key Factors That Affect Beef Cube Cook Times
Several important factors impact how long it takes to cook beef cubes in a pressure cooker
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Cut of beef – Tougher cuts with more connective tissue like chuck or brisket need longer cook times than naturally tender cuts like tenderloin or sirloin.
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Cube size – Smaller 1-inch cubes cook faster than larger 2-inch cubes.
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Amount of cubes – Cooking a fuller pot will increase cook time slightly
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Pressure cooker type – Electric pressure cookers heat up faster and cook quicker than stovetop pressure cookers.
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Release method – Quick pressure release stops the cooking immediately, while natural release continues to cook the food as pressure drops slowly.
Taking these factors into account will help you determine the ideal cook time for your specific cut, amount, and size of beef cubes.
Recommended Pressure Cook Times for Common Cuts
Here are general pressure cooker cook times for popular cuts of beef cubed into 1-inch pieces:
- Chuck roast – 25-30 minutes
- Brisket – 30-35 minutes
- Round or sirloin tip – 15-20 minutes
- Tenderloin – 8-10 minutes
For 2-inch cubes, increase the cook times by 5-10 additional minutes. Allow the meat to natural release for at least 5 minutes before doing a quick pressure release.
Always defer to recipe cook times when available, as actual times can vary based on the specific cut, marbling, and relative tenderness of the meat.
Step-by-Step Guide for Perfect Pressure Cooked Beef Cubes
Follow these simple steps for fork-tender, flavorful pressure cooked beef cubes every time:
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Cut the beef into uniform 1-inch cubes. Trim off any excess fat or silverskin.
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Season the cubes generously all over with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and any other spices or herbs. This adds tons of flavor.
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Brown the cubes in batches in a hot skillet for 2-3 minutes per side. Don’t crowd the pan.
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Sauté aromatics like onions and garlic in the pressure cooking pot to build a flavor base. Deglaze with broth.
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Add the seared beef cubes and enough beef broth or stock to cover. The liquid helps create steam.
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Pressure cook on high for the recommended time based on the specific cut of beef. Allow to natural release for 5 minutes.
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Check doneness – the beef should be fall-apart tender. If still underdone, pressure cook for 5 more minutes.
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Make a flavorful sauce while the beef cooks by reducing juices, broth and wine. Pour over the beef before serving.
That’s all it takes to make tender, juicy pressure cooked beef cubes! Taking the time to properly brown the meat and letting it natural release ensures the best results.
Handy Beef Cube Cook Time Chart
For easy reference, here are pressure cooker cook times for 1-inch and 2-inch beef cubes:
| Cut of Beef | 1-inch Cubes | 2-inch Cubes |
|---|---|---|
| Chuck Roast | 25-30 minutes | 30-35 minutes |
| Brisket | 30-35 minutes | 35-40 minutes |
| Round Roast | 20-25 minutes | 25-30 minutes |
| Sirloin Tip | 15-20 minutes | 20-25 minutes |
| Tenderloin | 8-10 minutes | 12-15 minutes |
Tips for Maximizing Flavor
In addition to cooking beef cubes to the ideal tenderness, you’ll also want to make sure they are packed with robust, complex flavor. Here are some useful tips:
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Marinate the cubes beforehand in a flavorful marinade or paste with spices and herbs.
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Use beef bone broth or stock instead of water for the cooking liquid.
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Generously season with salt, pepper and spices like garlic, onion, paprika, rosemary.
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Sear the cubes well before pressure cooking to develop a nice crust.
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Reduce the cooking sauce after pressure cooking to concentrate the flavors.
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Finish with a pat of butter or rich gravy for added richness.
Taking the time to build deep, complex layers of flavor through marinades, spices, sear, and sauce will make your pressure cooked beef cubes really stand out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I double the recipe and cook time?
A: Yes, but add 5-10 extra minutes to ensure the center cooks through.
Q: Should I cook beef cubes from frozen?
A: No, always thaw beef fully before pressure cooking for food safety.
Q: Is quick release or natural release better for beef cubes?
A: Do a quick release after 5 minutes of natural release to ensure tender meat.
Q: What liquids work best for cooking beef cubes?
A: Beef broth, red wine, tomato sauce, and bbq sauce all add great flavor.
Q: What if my beef cubes turn out tough and dry?
A: This likely means they were overcooked. Next time, reduce the cook time by 5 minutes.
The Takeaway
With the proper cook times, release methods, and flavor-building techniques, you’ll be able to make incredibly tender, delicious pressure cooked beef cubes with ease. Paying attention to the specific cut, cube size, amount, and pressure cooker type are key for perfect results every time. In no time, you’ll be an expert on cooking beef cubes in the pressure cooker!
Which cut of beef is best for Beef Tips?
You can use any cut of beef for beef tips – tenderloin, sirloin or even chuck roast. You should buy a chuck roast and cut it yourself instead of buying stew meat that has already been cut up. It will save you money and let you cut the meat into bigger pieces.
I most often use sirloin tip roast, and cut the pieces from that, usually in 2 inch chunks. Sirloin isnt as expensive as steak tenderloin, and works well in this recipe.
The cook time is key to tender beef tips. The cartilage/fat needs time to break down and make the meat tender. So 20 to 30 minutes is ideal, depending on how large you cut the steak cubes.
The gravy that this pressure cooker beef tips recipe makes is rich and delicious. More beef broth can be used if you don’t want to use the wine. The red wine makes the dish taste better.
You could serve this gravy on biscuits, rice, cauliflower rice, or mashed cauliflower. It tastes great on mashed potatoes.
Instant Pot Beef Tips
I have been asked for this recipe for beef tips in the Instant Pot for a long time. I had it in the works and now Im sharing with you! This is a delicious, easy recipe.