Are you looking for a quick and easy way to cook beef round steak? Look no further than your Instant Pot!
With just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking techniques, you can have a delicious and tender meal in no time. Whether you’re a busy parent or just looking for a hassle-free dinner option, this recipe is sure to become a go-to in your kitchen.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to cook beef round steak in your Instant Pot, including tips and tricks for getting the most out of your pressure cooker.
So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
How To Cook Beef Round Steak In Instant Pot?
Step 1: Prepare the Meat
Start by cutting your beef round steak into serving size pieces. You can use any cheap cut of beef here, such as bottom round or cube steak. Trim off any excess fat and season both sides with salt and pepper.
If you want to add some extra flavor, you can dredge the meat in cornstarch or flour before browning it in the Instant Pot. This will help create a nice crust on the outside of the meat.
Step 2: Brown the Meat
Turn your Instant Pot to sauté mode and add some oil or butter. Once the pot is hot, add your meat in batches and brown on both sides for about 3 minutes per side. Remove the meat from the pot and set it aside on a plate.
Step 3: Add Vegetables and Liquid
Next, add some onions, garlic, and any other vegetables you like to the pot. Sauté until they are slightly softened, then deglaze the pot with some beef broth or water. This will help scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot and add flavor to your dish.
Step 4: Pressure Cook
Add your meat back into the Instant Pot and pour in enough liquid to cover it. You can use beef broth, water, or a combination of both. Secure the lid and set your Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for about 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of your meat.
Step 5: Natural Release
Once the cooking time is up, let your Instant Pot naturally release pressure for about 10-15 minutes before quick releasing any remaining pressure. This will help ensure that your meat stays tender and juicy.
Step 6: Thicken Sauce (Optional)
If you want a thicker sauce, you can use the sauté function to reduce it down. You can also add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it up even more.
Step 7: Serve
Serve your beef round steak over cooked egg noodles or mashed potatoes, with some of the sauce spooned over the top. Enjoy!
Ingredients And Equipment Needed
To cook beef round steak in an Instant Pot, you will need the following ingredients:
– Beef round steak
– Salt and pepper
– Oil or butter
– Onions
– Garlic
– Beef broth or water
Optional ingredients:
– Vegetables (such as peppers or mushrooms)
– Cornstarch or flour for dredging
– Wine or diced tomatoes for added flavor
In terms of equipment, you will need an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, a cutting board, a knife, and a plate for holding the meat. If you choose to add vegetables or use wine or diced tomatoes, you will also need a pan to sauté them in before adding them to the Instant Pot. Finally, if you want to thicken your sauce, you will need a small bowl for mixing cornstarch with water. Overall, cooking beef round steak in an Instant Pot is a simple and delicious way to enjoy this affordable cut of beef.
Preparing The Beef Round Steak
Before you can cook your beef round steak in an Instant Pot, you need to prepare the meat. Begin by selecting a cheap cut of beef, such as bottom round or cube steak. Trim off any excess fat and season both sides with salt and pepper.
If you want to add some extra flavor, you can dredge the meat in cornstarch or flour before browning it in the Instant Pot. This will help create a nice crust on the outside of the meat.
Once your meat is seasoned and ready, turn your Instant Pot to sauté mode and add some oil or butter. Once the pot is hot, add your meat in batches and brown on both sides for about 3 minutes per side. Remove the meat from the pot and set it aside on a plate.
By browning the meat first, you will create a rich and savory flavor that will be enhanced during the pressure cooking process. This step is crucial for achieving a delicious beef round steak in an Instant Pot.
Searing The Beef Round Steak
Searing the beef round steak is an important step in the cooking process, as it helps to create a flavorful crust on the outside of the meat. To sear the beef round steak in your Instant Pot, start by turning on the sauté function and adding some oil or butter to the pot. Once the pot is hot, add your seasoned meat in batches and brown on both sides for about 3 minutes per side.
It’s important not to overcrowd the pot, as this can prevent the meat from browning properly. Instead, work in batches and set aside the browned meat on a plate until all pieces are seared.
Once all the meat is seared, remove it from the pot and set it aside. You can then move on to adding your vegetables and liquid to the pot, as described in Step 3 above.
By searing your beef round steak before pressure cooking it, you’ll create a delicious crust that adds flavor and texture to your final dish. Don’t skip this step if you want to achieve a perfectly cooked beef round steak in your Instant Pot!
Adding Liquid And Seasonings
When cooking beef round steak in an Instant Pot, it is important to add enough liquid to create steam and pressure for cooking. You can use beef broth, water, or a combination of both as your cooking liquid. The amount of liquid you need will depend on the size of your Instant Pot and the amount of meat you are cooking. As a general rule, you should use at least one cup of liquid for every pound of meat.
In addition to liquid, you can also add seasonings to your Instant Pot beef round steak dish. This can include garlic, onions, herbs like thyme or rosemary, and spices like paprika or cumin. You can also use pre-made seasoning mixes like Lipton’s onion soup mix for added flavor.
To add these seasonings, simply sprinkle them over the meat before browning it in the Instant Pot. You can also sauté onions and garlic before adding your liquid and meat to the pot. This will help infuse your dish with more flavor.
Remember to taste your dish before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. With these tips, you can create a delicious and flavorful beef round steak dish in your Instant Pot in no time!
Pressure Cooking The Beef Round Steak
Pressure cooking beef round steak is a great way to make a tender and flavorful meal in a fraction of the time it would take to cook it on the stove or in the oven. The Instant Pot is a popular tool for pressure cooking, and it’s perfect for this recipe.
To start, you’ll need to cut your beef round steak into serving size pieces and season them with salt and pepper. Then, you’ll want to brown the meat on both sides in your Instant Pot using the sauté function. This will help create a nice crust on the outside of the meat and seal in the juices.
Next, you’ll add some onions, garlic, and any other vegetables you like to the pot. Sauté them until they are slightly softened, then deglaze the pot with some beef broth or water. This will help add flavor to your dish and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Once you’ve added your meat back into the Instant Pot, you’ll want to pour in enough liquid to cover it. You can use beef broth, water, or a combination of both. Secure the lid and set your Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for about 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of your meat.
After the cooking time is up, let your Instant Pot naturally release pressure for about 10-15 minutes before quick releasing any remaining pressure. This will help ensure that your meat stays tender and juicy.
If you want a thicker sauce, you can use the sauté function to reduce it down. You can also add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it up even more.
Finally, serve your beef round steak over cooked egg noodles or mashed potatoes, with some of the sauce spooned over the top. This is a delicious and easy meal that is sure to please everyone at your dinner table!
Natural Release Vs Quick Release
When cooking with an Instant Pot, there are two ways to release the pressure from the pot once the food is done cooking: Natural Release and Quick Release. Natural Release is the slow, gentle reduction of pressure that occurs once the cooking has stopped. This method allows the pressure to release naturally, without any manual intervention. On the other hand, Quick Release is immediately letting the pressure out of the pot once the food is done cooking. This process usually only takes a couple of minutes.
For this beef round steak recipe, it is recommended to use Natural Release after pressure cooking for 20-30 minutes depending on the thickness of your meat. This will help ensure that your meat stays tender and juicy. When using Natural Release, the pressure releases gradually, there’s less movement in the Instant Pot, and the skin on foods like a whole chicken or turkey breasts stays intact since the pressure and temperature go down gradually. This is similar to allowing meats to rest after they’ve roasted. In turn, this keeps meats juicy, tender, and flavorful.
Alternatively, you can use Quick Release when cooking eggs, vegetables, delicate foods or ingredients that have a preferred temperature range. However, using Quick Release for meats can cause the meat fibers to compress, squeezing out fats and juices, which can leave the meat tough and dry. Therefore, it is recommended to use Natural Release for longer-cooking foods and meats.