Using an Instant Pot to soften beef before cooking can help shorten cooking times and ensure the meat comes out tender. But how long does it actually take to soften beef in an Instant Pot? Here is a comprehensive guide to softening beef in an Instant Pot, including timing, tips, and recipes.
What is an Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is a popular electric pressure cooker that can be used for fast cooking and meal preparation. It combines the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, saute pan, yogurt maker, and more into one convenient appliance.
Some key features of the Instant Pot include:
- Generates high pressure to cook food faster
- Has multiple programmable cooking functions
- Features a delay timer for planned cooking
- Preserves more nutrients compared to other cooking methods
- Requires minimal liquid due to its tight sealing lid
Using the Instant Pot can reduce cooking times by up to 70% compared to traditional cooking methods. Its ability to cook food quickly under pressure makes it a very useful tool for meal prepping and getting dinner on the table faster.
Why Soften Beef Before Cooking?
Softening or tenderizing beef before cooking serves a few different purposes:
- Shortens cooking time – Pre-softened meat will cook faster than tough, chewy meat.
- Improves texture – It makes the beef more tender and easier to bite into and chew.
- Allows flavor absorption – When meat fibers break down, it allows seasonings and liquids to penetrate deeper.
- Makes uniform doneness easier – Pre-softened meat cooks more evenly, preventing some parts from drying out.
The Instant Pot can quickly penetrate into meat to soften collagen and connective tissues. This makes it an ideal appliance for pre-tenderizing cheaper cuts of meat containing more of these tough tissues before cooking a recipe.
How Long Does It Take to Soften Beef in the Instant Pot?
The time needed to soften beef in an Instant Pot can vary based on a few factors:
- Cut of beef – Tougher cuts like chuck roast or brisket require more time than tenderloin or ribeye.
- Meat thickness – Thicker cuts and larger roasts need longer softening times than thin steaks or cubes.
- Appliance model – Older Instant Pot models may require 5-10 more minutes than newer models.
- Desired texture – If an extremely fork-tender texture is wanted, increase softening times.
For reference, here are general guidelines for softening common cuts of beef in an Instant Pot:
Instant Pot Beef Softening Times
| Cut of Beef | Thickness/Weight | Approximate Softening Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chuck roast | 2-3 lbs | 25-35 minutes |
| Beef brisket | 3-4 lbs | 35-45 minutes |
| Beef ribs | 2-3 lbs | 15-25 minutes |
| Beef shank | 1-2 lbs | 20-30 minutes |
| Stew meat | 1-inch cubes | 8-15 minutes |
| Beef sirloin | 1-inch steaks | 5-10 minutes |
Once the beef has softened to your desired tenderness, you can proceed with the recipe cooking directions. The softened meat will require less time under pressure to become fork-tender.
Tips for Softening Beef in the Instant Pot
Follow these tips for getting the best results when softening beef in the Instant Pot:
- Cut beef into uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Add 1 cup broth or water to create steam and pressure.
- Layer meat pieces instead of overcrowding.
- Use natural pressure release rather than quick release.
- Check for tenderness periodically by cutting into a piece.
- Avoid exceeding maximum fill lines in inner pot.
- Add herbs and spices to flavor the meat.
- Let meat rest 5-10 minutes after softening completes.
Common Mistakes
Some common mistakes to avoid:
- Not allowing pressure to build fully before starting timer
- Having too much or too little liquid
- Overloading the inner pot over max fill line
- Having unrealistic expectations for very tough cuts
- Neglecting to stir or rearrange meat while softening
Softening Beef Recipes
Here are a few recipe ideas that use an Instant Pot to soften beef before cooking:
Instant Pot Beef Stew
Soften 1-inch beef stew meat cubes with onions and broth for 10-15 minutes. Release pressure, then add carrots, potatoes, seasonings and cook under manual pressure for 5-8 minutes more until vegetables are tender.
BBQ Instant Pot Beef Brisket
Season a 3-4 lb beef brisket and soften for 30-40 minutes until fork-tender. Shred brisket in sauce then return to Instant Pot under pressure for 5 more minutes to absorb flavors.
Instant Pot Beef Chili
Brown ground beef with onions, then soften stew meat cubes for 10 minutes in broth. Add beans, tomatoes, chili powder and cumin. Pressure cook 6-8 minutes more to complete chili.
Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon
Soften beef cubes and bacon for 15 minutes. Sauté mushrooms and carrots, deglaze with wine. Add seasonings and broth, then pressure cook stew for 8-10 minutes until beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Spicy Instant Pot Beef Curry
Soak cubed beef shanks in yogurt-spice marinade for 1 hour. Add onions, curry paste and coconut milk to Instant Pot. Cook shanks for 25 minutes until extremely tender. Finish with cilantro.
Tips for Using Softened Beef
Here are some ideas for how to use beef that has been softened in the Instant Pot:
- Shred with two forks for tacos, enchiladas, sandwiches
- Dice into smaller pieces for beef stews or chili
- Leave whole for serving pot roasts or brisket
- Slice thinly across the grain for fajitas or stir fries
- Cut into chunks to skewer for kabobs
- Use in pasta Bolognese, beef stroganoff or meatloaf
The softened, tender beef takes well to many cooking methods after being pressure cooked. Get creative with how you incorporate the pre-softened meat into your favorite beef dishes!
Common Questions
What cut of beef works best?
Tougher, collagen-rich cuts of beef with connective tissue work best. These include chuck roast, brisket, shank, short ribs, and stew meat. The Instant Pot does a great job of breaking this tissue down.
Can you soften beef from frozen?
Yes, you can soften frozen beef in the Instant Pot! Add 5-10 more minutes to the cook time. The frozen meat will thaw within the first few minutes under pressure.
Is liquid needed to soften beef?
A small amount of broth, water, or sauce is needed to create steam and pressure. Use 1 cup of liquid per 1-2 lbs of beef. You can also soften in a marinade or barbecue sauce.
Should beef be seared first?
Browning beef before softening is optional. It adds a nice sear but does not affect the softening process. If you skip it, be sure to drain excess fat after softening.
Can you overcook beef during softening?
It is possible to over-soften beef if left too long under pressure, causing it to shred. Cut into a piece of meat periodically to check doneness during softening time.
Conclusion
Knowing how long to soften beef in the Instant Pot can help you achieve fork-tender results every time. While times vary based on the cut, an average of 15-30 minutes softens most beef cuts nicely before further cooking. Follow the tips provided to soften beef perfectly for stews, curries, barbecue, chili and many other amazing Instant Pot recipes.