Name: Instant Pot Tri Tip
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 pound tri tip; 1 cup beef broth; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1/2 onion; ½ tablespoon garlic powder; 2 teaspoon onion powder; 2 teaspoon paprika; 2 teaspoon brown sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper; ½ teaspoon black pepper

Make this Instant Pot tri tip a part of your weeknight dinners! It’s a go-to for busy families because it’s easy to prepare, versatile, and packed with juicy flavor.

Tri-tip steak is such a flavorful and versatile cut of beef.

While this cut is traditionally cooked on the grill or in the oven, using an Instant Pot can save time and make the meat even more tender and juicy.

It’s a perfect go-to option for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings!

By cooking the tri tip roast in the pressure cooker, you are left with a delicious, fall-apart tender piece of beef.

You can serve it as a main dish with a side of Dutch oven mac and cheese and crack green beans with bacon!

Or, you can shred the meat and use it in tacos topped with smokey crema or a meaty tri tip sandwich for a quick and fuss-free meal.

I made this recipe using my Instant Pot 6-Quart Duo Nova. It’s the perfect size for my family of four and makes releasing the steam so much easier than the standard Instant Pot.

ingredients needed to make instant pot tri tip

How to Make Tri Tip in the Instant Pot

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Trim any excess fat from your tri tip roast.

STEP TWO: Prepare your steak rub by combining the ingredients in a bowl. Generously sprinkle it all over the meat, making sure to work it into the surface for a rich flavor.

STEP THREE: Set your Instant Pot to the Sauté setting and add a bit of olive oil. Once hot, brown each side of your tri tip steak, then transfer it to a plate.

STEP FOUR: In the same pot, sauté some onions until they become soft and translucent. Then, add minced garlic for a fragrant touch.

saute onions and garlic in hot instant pot

STEP FIVE: Pour in the beef broth, and be sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to prevent any potential burns during pressure cooking.

STEP SIX: Insert the trivet into the IP and gently lower the seared beef tri tip onto it, making sure it’s nicely nestled in the pot.

adding seared tri tip back into pressure cooker

STEP SEVEN: Seal and set to high pressure for a duration of 25 minutes. Then, perform a quick pressure release.

STEP EIGHT: Slowly remove the trivet from the inside of the Instant Pot. Transfer the steak to a cutting board to rest. Slice and serve!

removing cooked tri tip roast from pressure cooker

Tips for Tri Tip in the Pressure Cooker

Let your tri-tip rest for about 5-10 minutes after cooking. This resting time helps lock in all the delicious juices.
Season generously. When applying the steak rub, make sure to cover every inch of the meat. Massaging the rub helps to infuse flavor.
Add minced garlic once the onions are softened. This prevents the garlic from burning and turning bitter.
Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot when adding beef broth. This step prevents the dreaded burn notice and ensures you get every bit of flavor.
Use a sharp knife for slicing. This ensures easy and precise slices without ripping or tearing the meat.

More Tender Steak Recipes

Variations to Instant Pot Tri Tip

Bone broth twist: Try using bone broth instead of beef broth for added flavor and nutrition to your meal.
Herb infusion: Elevate your steak with the fragrant charm of dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil.
Garlic butter tri tip: Baste the steak with garlic butter after cooking for extra flavor.

What Is the Correct Way to Slice Tri Tip?

To slice this pressure cooker tri tip like a pro, first, let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes after cooking. This locks in those juices for perfectly juicy bites.

Identify the grain direction on the tri tip — it usually switches halfway in this cut of beef. Cut against the grain, meaning across the lines instead of alongside, to shorten the fibers and make it easier to chew.

Opt for thin slices about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick using a sharp knife. Slice only what you’ll serve immediately, keeping the rest covered for warmth.

sliced tri tip on a white plate with roasted potatoes and asparagus

How Do I Know When My Pressure Cooker Tri Tip is Done?

The general rule when making tri tip in the pressure cooker is to cook for around 10 minutes per pound.

When cooking a 2 lb tri tip in the Instant Pot, you’ll typically achieve medium-well doneness in the narrower sections and medium doneness in its thickest part. If you prefer it to be less pink in the thickest areas, you can add 5 minutes to the cooking time.

Frozen Tri TIp

For a frozen 2 lb tri tip, I would recommend cooking for around 45 minutes. For a larger 4 lb tri-tip, you can follow a similar process, but it will also take about 45 minutes to cook through.

Always use a meat thermometer for the best results! Steak is considered medium at 140-145 degrees F internally.

What to Serve with Beef Tri Tip

The best part about this tri tip pressure cooker recipe is how many delicious sides can be paired with it — all cooked in the air fryer! To keep it classic, you have brussels sprouts, mushrooms, mashed potatoes, or the classic roasted vegetables.

Instant pot tri tip also pairs great with an Air Fryer Blooming Onion, baked potato, and roasted acorn squash.

taking a bite of out meat roast with a fork

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