Instant Pot Tri Tip

Have you tried Instant Pot tri tip yet?? You might want to try something new and this is the best way to make it quickly in your pressure cooker. Just one of over 100 easy Instant Pot recipes we have here on Zopago.

We use our VERY popular tri tip dry rub to make this with a rich thick gravy at the end so there are rich flavors all the way around with this method friends. This is a bit of a pricier cut so you want to make sure it turns out perfectly.

Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Tri Tip

Made as a Ninja Foodi recipe you can pressure cook as explained in the recipe card below or you can use the lid that is attached to make air fryer tri tip too. Both are wonderful but with a different outer texture for sure. If you like a bit of crisp on the dry rub you should go with this lijnk above.

Instant Pot Frozen Tri Tip

Believe it or not the cook time with defrosted or rock hard meat isn’t much different at all, many times it is the same. The biggest difference in why it would vary is how well done you want it to be when done. Ours is medium rare because with this cut that is ideal for sure. Same goes with our dutch oven tri tip, the moistest.

Using the high pressure function with a natural release at the end is a great way to cook large pieces of meat. The longer it cooks the more it will break apart and begin to shred. This time it was sliced.

Should I sear tri tip before pressure cooking?

Yes, it is helpful to lock in the moisture and tenderness. All brands and models have the saute function. On the Crockpot Express it is called brown, it is the same thing. I use a pair of small tongs to grab it and flip it over on to the other side to brown the outsides lightly first. Just a bit of rub will come off, that is okay.

With large cuts of meat cooked this is important. I do this using the saute function with just a bit of olive oil at the bottom of the pot. I mean, no sense in getting a pan on the stovetop dirty, one pot meals are the best I tell you! Once you have the rub patted down on both sides allow the excess to fall off so it isn’t caked on.

About 2 minutes is usually enough to get it nice and seared, but not too brown. This step will keep the juices in and give the outside a bit more texture. If you’re new to using any sort of electric pressure cooker, you need to know how to deglaze. What does that even mean and why do you need to do it?? Glad you asked…..

What does deglazing mean?

After you saute this easy beef recipe you will need to remove it. Use a bit of broth or water and scrape the bits of stuck on meat off the bottom with a wooden spatula which is what “deglazing” means. Why?? Because if not you might get that dreaded burn message on the screen if you don’t.

How Long to Cook Tri Tip in Instant Pot

No matter what pot you have, follow these directions for about 25 minutes. There is a printable recipe card with ingredients needed at the bottom as well. Trim the fat off your tip roast if you like, we do. Then pat dry with a paper towel and lay on a cutting board.

Should you tenderize tri tip?

You wouldn’t want to tenderize it like cubed steak but if you wanted to use a marinade for a few hours you could. We used a dry rub instead for added flavor. I choose to trim the fat layer before coating and cooking, but that part is totally up to you. Some would never do such a thing.

How to Make the Gravy

I just use the drippings in the pot with the broth to make pressure cooker gravy at the end. To make that thicker you want to switch to the saute function with the lid off. Whisk in a little dish some cornstarch and cool water or some of the drippings from the pot into a sort of roux or slurry, pour that in. Stir until it thickens it up in literally like 1 minute, it is so easy.

Is tri tip a tough cut of meat?

It is not as tender as our Fall-Apart Brisket in the Oven because this cut is tougher. The grains go in two different directions with fibers that don’t break down as easily so you’ll want to slicing against the grain is key and cooking it in a way that keeps it moist is a must.

Other beef recipes you’ll love

This is the best way to cook tri tip in your 7 in 1 machine for sure! Want to cook other cuts of beef in it too? Next try our smoked tri tip. Cooked properly and for the right length of time (don’t overcook this baby, you want a bit of red in the center) it’s a great cut.

We also love adding other sauces with other cuts like we did with our Mississippi roast in Instant Pot for dinner with brussel sprouts. For a load of others, take a peek at our Instant Pot beef recipes like pressure cooker brisketand more look here too.