3 Pound Instant Pot Tri Tip

Best 3 pound Instant Pot tri tip recipe with a dry rub and killer gravy using the drippings. Full of flavor cooked in your Ninja Foodi or pressure cooker to medium rare with a quick cooking time. Use fresh or frozen roast in Instant Pot to make this family favorite one pot meal.

Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Tri Tip

We use our VERY popular tri tip dry rub to make this. If you need to make this as a Ninja Foodi recipe you can use that pot too. Any brand works y’all. 😉 Yes I do create a rich thick gravy at the end too but really with the bold flavors on the outside as is you really don’t need it. I’m all about both because why not right. 😉

This is a bit of a pricier cut so you want to make sure it turns out perfectly right? Best way to ensure it does is to buy it fresh or thawed but you can cook a frozen roast in your Instant Pot too (linked above) if you have a forgetful moments so don’t fret.

Instant Pot Tri Tip from Frozen

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.

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.

Should you tenderize tri tip?

Since it has very low fat content you won’t have that for added flavor but the meat itself has a lot! 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. Either way I d

With large cuts of meat cooked this way you typically want to sear the outsides first. 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.

As soon as your pot is hot set it inside and brown on both sides. 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…..

Should I sear 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.

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 to Cook Tri Tip in Ninja Foodi

With this pot 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.

Pressure cooker tri tip cooking time

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.

How to Cook Tri Tip in Pressure Cooker

1. Mix together ingredients for dry rub and pour half on top. Rub with hands, allow excess to fall off when you flip meat over. Pour remaining on bottom and rub.
2. Set pressure cooker to saute. Pour olive oil inside your pot when hot. Place meat inside and brown for about 2 minutes on each side.
3. Remove the roast and put on a plate.
4. Turn pot off and pour broth inside. Deglaze pot now with beef broth.
5. Place a trivet inside and put your meat on top. Close lid and steam valve. Set to high heat (pressure) for 25 minutes followed by a quick release if you like medium rare. Remove the lid.
6. If you want it more medium allow for a 5 minute natural release, so 30 minuts total, then quickly release the pressure and remaining steam.
7. Set on cutting board and allow to rest for 10 – 15 minutes before slicing.
8. While you’re waiting make gravy in pot. First, take out trivet and set pot to saute again.
9. In a small bowl ladle out some of your hot liquid. Whisk in 2 tbsp cornstarch until mixture is smooth. Pour into pot that is bubbling.
10. Use wood spatula to consistently stir so lumps do not form. Saute for about 1-2 minutes and then turn off. Pour delicious gravy into a bowl. Slice and serve.

I just use the drippings in the pot with the broth to make pressure cooker gravy at the end. A little cornstarch slurry thickens it up in literally like 1 minute, so easy.

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 brisket and more look here too.