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You are here: Home / Recipes and Cooking Tips / Instant Pot Tri-Tip Recipe

Instant Pot Tri-Tip Recipe

February 6, 2019 by Alea Milham 40 Comments

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Easy Instant Pot Tri-Tip Recipe

This Instant Pot Tri-Tip recipe is perfect for when it is too cold to grill!

Quick and Easy Instant Pot Tri-Tip Recipe

If you are not from California you may never have heard of Tri-Tip, but it is one of my favorite roasts. Tri-Tip is great roasted or grilled, but when I am craving a roast and don’t have a lot of time to prepare one I cook tri-tip in my Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker.

What is Tri-Tip?

Tri-Tip is a triangular shaped cut of meat that is from the bottom of the sirloin. It is lower in fat than many cuts of beef, though it often comes with a piece of fat attached to it. If you can’t find it in your grocery store, ask the butcher to cut this specifically for you.

How Do You Season Tri-Tip?

There is no right or wrong way to season tri-tip. Many people in the Southwest like to season their tri-tip with a Santa Maria Dry Rub. I’ve included my Santa Maria Dry Rub Mix recipe below. Some like to season it with a steak rub. I’ve also included a basic steak dry rub mix recipe below. However, there is no reason you can’t get creative and use Cajun Seasoning or Chipotle Seasoning.

Santa Maria Dry Rub Mix Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Directions:

  1. Add all the ingredients to a jar.
  2. Attach the lid and shake to blend.

While the Santa Maria seasoning is commonly used on tri-tip, I often use a steak dry rub when I have company over as it is a little less spicy.

Basic Steak Dry Rub Mix Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground pepper

Directions:

  1. Add all the ingredients to a jar.
  2. Attach the lid and shake to blend.

Do you have to use a dry rub on Tri-Tip?

While a dry rub works well on Tri-Tip, you don’t have to use one. I occasionally add a 1/2 cup of diced onion, and 4 minced cloves of garlic to the Tri-Tip to add flavor instead of using a spice mix. You can also top your Tri-Tip with 1/2 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce instead of using a dry rub. It is your Tri-Tip, you can season it however you wish.

How to Cook Tri-Tip in an Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker

The directions are similar for cooking tri-tip in an Instant Pot, an electric pressure cooker, a multi-cooker such as the Ninja Foodi, and a stove-top pressure cooker.

Searing the Meat

Not all Electric Pressure Cookers have a saute function that allows you to brown the roast. If your pressure cooker doesn’t allow you to sear the meat first, you can do it in a frying pan or you can skip that step. Your tri-tip will still be tender even if you don’t brown it first.

Use the Rack

No matter which appliance you are using, you should place the rack that came with your pot on the bottom of the pot before cooking under high pressure, then place the tri-tip on it, so the roast sits on the rack or trivet instead of directly on the bottom of the pot.

How Much Liquid Do I Add?

When cooking Tri-Tip in an Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker, add 1 cup of beef broth. When cooking Tri-Tip in a stovetop Pressure Cooker add 2 cups of beef broth because stovetop pressure cookers release more steam than Instant Pots and Electric Pressure Cookers.

Use the Quick Release Method when done the meat is done cooking.

For an Instant Pot, an Electric Pressure Cooker, or a multicooker like the Ninja Foodi you will carefully move the release valve from “sealed” to “release”. I recommend using a potholder on your hand when you move the release valve because the steam is very hot.

For a stovetop Pressure Cooker, you will move the pot to the sink and run cold water over the pot until it stops releasing steam.

Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot Tri-Tip Recipe

These cooking instructions will cook the tri-tip to medium doneness. There will be a little pink in the center. If you do not want any pink, cook it for 30 – 35 minutes. Even if it is well done, without a trace of pink, it will still be very tender.

Ingredients:

  • 2-3 pound tri-tip roast
  • 3 – 4 tablespoons of dry rub mix
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup beef broth

Directions:

1. Slice the thick layer of fat off of the tri-tip.

Cut the layer of fat off of the tri-tip.

2. Sprinkle 1 1/2 – 2 tablespoons of dry rub into each side of the tri-tip.

Sprinkle the rub over the tri-tip.

3. Work the rub into the meat.

Work the rub into the meat.

4. Heat the Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker to Saute.

5. Place the tri-tip in the pot and brown the bottom.

Place the tri tip in the Instant Pot and brown the bottom.

6. Flip the meat over and brown the other side.

Flip over the meat and brown the other side

7. Place the rack in the pot. Put the tri-tip roast on top of the rack. Add the broth to the pot.

Place the browned meat on the rack and add the beef broth

8. Seal the lid and turn the valve to sealed. Select the “high-pressure cooker” button, “Meat” button, “Beef” button or the “manual” button. Ensure the high-pressure feature is lit. Then set the timer to 25 minutes. When your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker has stopped cooking, use a potholder to open the valve to quickly release the steam. Ensure all steam has been released and then carefully remove the lid.

9. Remove the tri-tip and let the roast rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. While the tri-tip is resting make gravy using the recipe below if you wish.

Slice the cooked tri-tip after allowing it to rest for 5 minutes

Video of Instant Pot Tri-Tip Recipe

You can print out the directions at the bottom of this article.

How to Make Beef Gravy from Tri-Tip Drippings

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of beef drippings
  • 1/4 cup beef broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions:

  1. Turn the Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker back to the saute function.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the beef broth or water with the cornstarch until it is smooth.
  3. Slowly add the cornstarch mixture to the roast drippings, stirring continuously until it is fully incorporated.
  4. Continue cooking, while stirring until the gravy is thick and smooth.

How to Make Gravy in an Instant Pot

Ladle the beef gravy into a gravy boat and serve with the sliced tri-tip.

Instant Pot tri-tip with homemade gravy

Printable Recipe for Instant Pot Tri-Tip

Quick and Easy Instant Pot Tri-Tip Recipe
Print
5 from 13 votes

Instant Pot Tri-Tip Recipe

A quick and easy recipe for Instant Pot Tri-Tip.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Instant Pot Tri-Tip Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 284kcal
Author Alea

Ingredients

Ingredients:

  • 2-3 pounds tri-tip roast
  • 3 - 4 tablespoons of dry rub mix
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup beef broth

Instructions

Directions:

  • Slice the thick layer of fat off of the tri-tip.
  • Rub 1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons of dry rub into each side of the tri-tip.
  • Heat the Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker to Saute.
  • Place the tri-tip in the pot and brown the bottom.
  • Flip the meat over and brown the other side.
  • Place the rack in the pot. Put the tri-tip roast on top of the rack. Add the broth to the pot. A
  • Seal the lid and turn the valve to closed. Select the "high-pressure cooker" button, "Meat" button, "Beef" button or the "manual" button. Ensure the high-pressure feature is lit. Then set the time to 25 minutes. When your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker has stopped cooking, use a pot holder to open the valve to quickly release the steam. Ensure all steam has been released and then carefully remove the lid.
  • Remove the tri-tip and let the roast rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. While the tri-tip is resting make gravy using the recipe below.

Notes

Check your owner's manual for safe handling instructions for your Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker.

Nutrition

Calories: 284kcal | Protein: 35g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 201mg | Potassium: 562mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 2.6mg

More Pressure Cooker Recipes

Pressure Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Cooking Beans in a Pressure Cooker

How to Cook Swiss Steak in a Pressure Cooker

How to Make Rice in a Pressure Cooker

This recipe was originally published September 15, 2011, but was updated on February 6, 2019.

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About Alea Milham

Alea Milham is the owner of Premeditated Leftovers and the author of Prep-Ahead Meals from Scatch. She shares her tips for saving money and time while reducing waste in her home. Her favorite hobby, gardening, is a frugal source of organic produce for her recipes. She believes it is possible to live fully and eat well while spending less.

Comments

  1. Vanessab says

    December 4, 2022 at 6:38 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is a hit at my house and a keeper, thank you. I used the Santa Maria rub you provided. I love that it is easy and doesn’t make a huge mess or heat up the house (or smoke it up when using an oven method on high heat).

    Reply
  2. Linda Nelson says

    March 1, 2022 at 3:54 pm

    5 stars
    I season with the Keg steak spice and that’s it. This is a great way to prepare tri-tip. Has become a family favourite. I serve with oven roasted squash and salad!!

    Reply
  3. Kirsten Joy Hobbs says

    February 28, 2022 at 3:59 pm

    5 stars
    Yum, thanks for all the extra tips!

    Reply
  4. Carol says

    November 17, 2021 at 11:38 am

    Have you ever tried this with a frozen tri-tip? How would you adjust cooking time?

    Reply
  5. Stacey says

    March 18, 2021 at 2:39 pm

    If I am using a Ninja Foodie Instant Pot and it does not have a manual setting or meat setting, only says pressure cooker, what temperature do I set it for? 350? 390?

    Reply
    • Shelley Ratcliff says

      April 28, 2021 at 9:58 am

      for the pressure cooker, it does not give a temperature. The temperature is for the air fryer.

      Reply
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Welcome. I'm Alea!

On Premeditated Leftovers I share simple recipes made with whole foods, practical shopping tips, time saving techniques, and meal planning strategies. I also share tips for minimizing food waste, so more of the food that is purchased ends up on the table.

While volunteering as a budget counselor, I realized that food is the element of most people’s budgets where they have the greatest control. I set out to develop low-cost recipes from scratch to prove it’s possible to create delicious meals on a limited budget. Eating well while spending less is about more than just creating recipes using inexpensive ingredients; it’s about creatively combining ingredients so you don’t feel deprived and are inspired to stick to your budget.

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