5 Expert Instant Pot Tricks
HOW TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH THE INSTANT POT
Beef. It’s what’s for dinner, and we’re doing it Instant Pot style! Read on for all my favorite TIDBITS beef recipes for the electric pressure cooker.
I firmly believe that a charred steak and a flame-kissed hamburger will forever and always be best on the grill, but when it comes to tender shredded beef, quick and easy fajitas, and zero splatter meatballs, I am all about putting the Instant Pot to work!
Before we jump into some of my favorite Instant Pot Beef recipes, let's start with a few tips and tricks I’ve learned about pressure cooking beef over the years.
TIPS FOR COOKING BEEF IN THE INSTANT POT
- TRIM THE FAT: Pressure cooking with beef can mean a very greasy pot of liquids once it’s done cooking. Before pressure cooking, take a minute to trim away any large pieces of fat from a large roast.
- LESS COOKING LIQUID: A roast is going to create a lot of liquid as it cooks which will assist in bringing the Instant Pot up to pressure. This is the reason some of the recipes below do not start with a full cup of cooking liquid. Have no fear, IT WORKS, and will allow the cooking liquids to stay flavorful because they won’t get diluted so much by the meat juice.
- CUT MEAT INTO CHUNKS: When it comes to a roast, cut the meat into 1 – 2 pound chunks. This will allow for even cooking and tenderness as well as allowing more of the cooking liquid to infuse the meat with flavor.
- SAUTE TO DECREASE GREASINESS: For recipes that include ground meat like Chili or Egg Roll Bowls, brown the meat first, then drain the oil. This is another way to make sure the final product isn’t ruined by too much grease.
- LEAN CUTS: Because of the moist, pressurized environment, I’ve had a lot of success using leaner cuts of beef in the pressure cooker. For this reason I often will use a rump roast over a chuck and leaner ground beef like 90/10.
- USE A FAT SEPARATOR: For shredded beef like Pepperoncini Beef Sandwiches, I like to return the shredded meat back to the pot of juices to keep it moist. Before I add it back to the juices, I pour it through a fat separator to get rid of the extra oil. This isn’t essential, but it makes the final product better.
- TO BROWN OR NOT TO BROWN: I’ll be the first to admit that I LOATHE browning meat, but nothing else can quite replicate that rich, meaty flavor that a deeply browned crust can achieve. There are some recipes that I’ve skipped this step with great results, but when it comes to Pot Roast and Beef Stew, trust me, just do it! But to be honest, between you and me, if time and energy are low, go ahead and skip it, you’ll still have a delicious meal.
Before we dive into the recipes, be aware that when it comes to ground meat, I will often use ground turkey and ground beef interchangeably. So if a recipe calls for ground turkey, and you would rather use ground beef, just know that the ingredient swap will work out great. This also applies with ground turkey, beef, or pork sausage. Feel free to use your favorite!
Easy Prep (15-min or less) Required
Instant Pot Easy Philly Cheesesteak
Tender flavorful meat, topped with mushrooms, peppers, onions, melty provolone, and a simple garlic aioli = this dreamy Instant Pot Easy Philly Cheesesteak. I am in Heaven. Directions for lazy day version and the gourmet version included!
Instant Pot Easy Philly Cheesecake Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 40 min total
Instant Pot Meatball Sub Soup
All the flavors and textures of a meatball sub, now in a spoonable, drinkable form. Instant Pot Meatball Sub Soup is half the mess of a sub and, dare I say, twice the yumminess!
Instant Pot Meatball Sub Soup Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 40 min
Instant Pot Greek Meatballs
Greek-style meatballs stuffed to the max with tangy feta cheese and sweet, flavorful sundried tomatoes, cooked in a flash in the wonderful Instant Pot, and dunked in a creamy pesto sauce. These incredible meatballs are just begging to be featured at your next game day party or family get-together! Note: Ground turkey can be swapped out for ground beef.
Instant Pot Greek Meatballs Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 25 min
1-hour (or less) Instant Pot Beef Recipes
Instant Pot Korean Beef Bowl
Instant Pot Korean Beef Bowlsare going to make your life easier and insanely delicious. Sweet, salty, and just a tad spicy beef over a pile of rice topped with the most delightful pickled veggies to ever grace your fork – this is a keeper for sure!
Instant Pot Korean Beef Bowl Recipe
Total Recipe Time:20 min
Instant Pot Easy Tin Foil Dinner
Instant Pot Tinfoil Dinners,AKAHobo Dinner Packets, are here to save your sanity! Juicy meat, tender vegetables, and a delightfulSpecial Sauce, these packets are quick and easy with minimal cleanup.
Instant Pot Easy Tin Foil Dinner Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 45 min
Instant Pot Easy Steak Fajitas
Steak fajitas all in one pot? No greasy splatters or house smelling like onions for a week? Yes! It IS possible! Tender, flavorful steak and perfectly cooked veggies made in your Instant Pot! Plus it is so simple that now you'll get to enjoy them more often than ever.
Instant Pot Easy Steak Fajitas Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 45 min
Instant Pot Chili
Warm, comfortingInstant Pot Chiliis the perfect cool weather meal and this is theABSOLUTE BEST CHILII have ever eaten! Packed with fiber and nutrients, covered in cheese and sour cream – get ready to fall in love!
Total Recipe Time: 45 min
Instant Pot Italian Meatloaf
One-pot wonder meal right here! Instant Pot Stuffed Italian Meatloaf is filled with cheese, spinach, and pesto, then rolled up to make it a show-stopping loaf of meat! The Smashed Red Potatoes get cooked up all at the same time in the same pot giving you a moment to go for a run, take a nap, take a bath, or to just sit with your feet up (#momgoals).
Instant Pot Italian Meatloaf Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 60 min
Kid Friendly Beef Recipes
Pepperoncini Beef Baked Egg Rolls
Do you have some extraPepperoncini Beeflying around that needs some leftover lovin'? Turn it into this Pepperoncini Beef Baked Egg Roll stuffed with pickled veggies, provolone, andSir Kensington's Chipotle Mayo. Mmm Hmm!
Pepperoncini Beef Baked Egg Rolls Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 25 min
Instant Pot Meatball Sandwich
Instant Pot Meatball Sandwiches are messy, satisfying, comfort food, and loved by all. Tender, juicy meatballs bathed in a quick and easy homemade tomato sauce. So easy and quick with shortcut ideas included in the post!
Instant Pot Meatball Sandwich Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 35 min
Instant Pot Taco Meat
ThisInstant Pot Taco Meatwill be the easiest taco filling/nacho topping you've ever made! Healthy, flavorful, and loaded with vegetables, it is the perfect quick weeknight meal.
Total Recipe Time: 30 min
Instant Pot Green Chile Beef Burritos
Don't waste your money on grease bomb restaurantburritos ever again!These healthier homemade Instant Pot Green Chile Beef Burritos are more flavorful and you'll have leftover shredded beef for many meals to come.
Instant Pot Green Chile Beef Burritos Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 3 hours
Our Reader Favorite Beef Recipes:
Instant Pot Pot Roast
If you want a pot roast to rival your grandma's (sorry grandma), give thisInstant Pot Pot Roast a whirl! Tender, juicy, and flavorful! Plus, find out which cut of meat is the best in the post. This recipe goes amazing with Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.
Total Recipe Time: 3 hours
Instant Pot Beef Stew
Hearty, wholesome, and downright scrumptiousInstant Pot Beef Stew. Full of rich, beefy flavor and loaded with vegetables; this will be a winner for the whole family!
Total Recipe Time: 2.5 hours
Pressure Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
Perfect for St Patrick's Day and easy enough for any day of the week, this Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage is a one pot meal of juicy, flavorful meat and veggies. Serve with a loaf of crusty bread for an incredible meal!
Pressure Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 2 hours
Best Sides + Sauces that go with Instant Pot Beef Recipes
Instant Pot Chipotle Peach Barbecue Sauce
I want this Instant Pot Chipotle Peach Barbecue Sauce on ribs, chicken, salads,tofu, quesadillas, pineapple, ect,forever and ever. Wanna join me? Sweet, smoky, tangy and glorious on every single thing I put it on. Bonus: low in added sweeteners which is so hard to come by with BBQ sauce!
Instant Pot Chipotle Peach Barbecue Sauce Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 50 min
Instant Pot Vegetable Medley
My favorite vegetable trio is getting a makeover today in thisInstant Pot Vegetable MedleyA garlic and herb creamy, cheesy makeover that will be sure to steal the show away from any main course. So simple and quick to make in the Instant Pot too!
Instant Pot Vegetable Medley Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 10 min
Instant Pot Creamy Mashed Potato
The pressure cooker is the only way you should be makingInstant Pot Mashed Potatoes from here on out (under 1 hour total cooking time). Creamy, fluffy, smooth, and dreamy; crowds will pound down your door for the secret!
Instant Pot Creamy Mashed Potato Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 30 min
Instant Pot Honey Glazed Carrots
Instant Pot Honey Glazed Carrotswith a hint of orange, honey, and dijon mustard. When you see me going back for seconds, thirds . . . okay fourths on carrots, you can be guaranteed this one is a winner! Proof that with just a few simple ingredients you can make an incredible side dish!
Instant Pot Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 15 min
Instant Pot Caramelized Onions
How to make EASY Caramelized Onions in an Instant Pot. Or in other words, how to turn a ho-hum dinner into fine dining in no time flat! Forget sitting at the stovetop for an hour, this pressure cooker caramelized onion trick is so easy and rewarding!
Instant Pot Caramelized Onions Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 30 min
Instant Pot Smashed Potatoes
Instant Pot Smashed Potatoesare the perfect, easy side dish to any meal! Fluffy potato, crispy edges plus a flavorful hummus crust, these are about to be your new addiction!
Instant Pot Smashed Potatoes Recipe
Total Recipe Time: 30 min
Need a couple more ideas? Here are all our Side Dishes and all our Vegetarian Dishes + Sides.
I hope you find some new favorites on this list! Pressure cooking makes working with beef so much easier and enjoyable, I can’t wait for you to try it out!
Enjoy!
