Easy Instant Pot Tri-Tip Roast

Preparing a Tri Tip roast in your instant pot is an easy way to make a delicious meal your entire family will love with way less cooking time than other methods.

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I had never heard of tri-tip until I started getting a ButcherBox subscription, and now it is one of my favorite things to add to my box. It is a cut that I honestly did not know I was missing, and once I started cooking it regularly, it quickly became a go-to dinner around here.

For seasoning, I almost always reach for Kinder’s The Blend Salt, Pepper and Garlic. I buy the big container at Costco and it goes on just about every steak I make. It is simple, it works really well with beef, and it is the kind of thing you will find yourself using constantly once you have it in the pantry.

What I like about making tri-tip in the Instant Pot is how little attention it needs once everything is in the pot. You sear the meat, add the broth and aromatics, seal the lid, and walk away for 25 minutes. When it comes out, the beef is tender enough to slice or shred, and the cooking liquid at the bottom makes a simple, flavorful sauce.

It is a good dinner to have in your back pocket for nights when you want something that feels like a real meal without a lot of work. The leftovers are also excellent, which makes it worth cooking even when you are only feeding a few people.

If you prefer cooking tri-tip on the stovetop, the Easy Cast Iron Skillet Tri-Tip Roast is another great option that gives you a different texture and a nice crust.

What Is Tri-Tip?

Tri-tip is a cut of beef from the bottom of the sirloin. It gets its name from its triangular shape and is well-marbled with good beefy flavor. It is more affordable than premium cuts like ribeye but cooks up just as satisfying when handled right.

Originally popular in California, where it became known as Santa Maria steak, tri-tip is now easy to find at most grocery stores. It also shows up regularly in meat subscription boxes like ButcherBox, which is how a lot of people discover it for the first time.

It works well grilled, roasted, or in the Instant Pot like this recipe, where the pressure cooking makes it very tender.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Leftovers keep well and are easy to repurpose the next day.
• The Instant Pot cuts the cooking time way down compared to roasting in the oven.
• A simple dry rub and a few pantry staples are all you need to make it taste really good.
• The beef comes out tender enough to slice or shred, so it works in a lot of different meals.
• The cooking liquid turns into a simple sauce that is great spooned over the meat.

What You’ll Need to Make Instant Pot Tri Tip

• 2.5 – 3 pounds tri-tip beef roast
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups of beef broth
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons dry rub or seasoning blend of your choice (Kinder’s The Blend Salt, Pepper and Garlic is a favorite here)

How to Make Instant Pot Tri Tip Roast

Season the Roast

Pat the tri-tip dry and massage the dry rub, salt, and pepper into all sides of the meat. Getting it well coated helps build flavor during the sear.

Sear the Meat

Turn on the Instant Pot saute function and let it heat up. Sear the tri-tip for about a minute on each side until browned. Do not skip this step. That quick sear builds a layer of flavor that carries through into the cooking liquid. Remove the roast and set it aside.

Add the Aromatics and Broth

Place the trivet in the bottom of the pot and set the tri-tip on top. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, then pour the beef broth over everything. The liquid will keep the meat moist and become the base of your sauce.

Pressure Cook

Seal the lid and make sure the valve is set to the closed position. Set the Instant Pot to high pressure and cook for 25 minutes.

Release and Rest

When the timer goes off, do a quick release. Once it is safe to open the lid, carefully lift the roast out onto a cutting board and let it rest for at least 5 minutes. Resting is important here. It gives the juices time to settle before you cut into the meat, which keeps it from drying out on the board.

Slice or Shred

Cut the roast against the grain into thin slices, or pull it apart with two forks if you want shredded beef. Spoon the cooking liquid from the pot over the top before serving.

Make It Your Way

• Use your favorite store-bought dry rub or make a simple one with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the broth for a little extra depth in the cooking liquid.
• Shred the beef and serve it on toasted rolls with a spoonful of the cooking juices for a simple sandwich.
• Use leftover sliced tri-tip in tacos or fajitas the next day. It reheats quickly in a skillet and holds its flavor well.

What to Serve With Instant Pot Tri-Tip

• Quick & Easy Crispy Roasted Potatoes are a natural pairing and work really well with the cooking juices spooned over everything.
• Roasted Carrots with Hot Honey and Whipped Ricotta make a simple, slightly sweet side that balances out the savory beef really nicely.
• Totally Amazing Broccoli Cauliflower Salad is a good fresh option if you want something cool and crunchy alongside.
• Quick & Easy Carolina Coleslaw is especially good if you are serving the beef shredded on rolls.
• Warm crusty bread is also a simple option and great for soaking up the cooking juices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook a frozen tri-tip in the Instant Pot?

It is best to use a fully thawed roast for this recipe. Frozen meat will take significantly longer to come to pressure and cook through evenly, and you will not be able to sear it properly, which matters for the flavor. Plan to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.

How do I know when the tri-tip is done?

After 25 minutes at high pressure, the meat should be tender and easy to pull apart or slice. If you want to check with a thermometer, aim for an internal temperature of around 190 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit for shredding, or 145 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit if you prefer to slice it.

Can I make the cooking liquid into a gravy?

Yes, and it is worth doing. After removing the roast, turn the Instant Pot back to saute. In a small bowl, mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water, then stir it into the liquid. Let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens into a simple gravy.

How long do leftovers keep?

Store leftover sliced or shredded beef in an airtight container with some of the cooking juices spooned over it to keep it moist. It keeps in the refrigerator for up to four days and reheats well on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Simple Tips

• Do not skip the sear. Even a quick minute per side adds flavor that makes a real difference in the finished dish.
• Let the meat rest before cutting. Five minutes on the board makes a noticeable difference in how juicy the slices are.
• Cut against the grain when slicing. Tri-tip has a visible grain and cutting across it keeps the slices tender rather than chewy.
• Save the cooking liquid. It is full of flavor and makes an easy sauce or gravy with very little effort.

Final Thoughts

This is one of those dinners that feels a little more special than the usual weeknight rotation but is super easy to pull off. A quick sear, a handful of ingredients, and the Instant Pot handles the rest.

Once you make it, the leftovers will remind you why it is worth keeping tri-tip on your regular grocery list.