Instant Pot Cubed Steak Gravy

This Instant Pot Cubed Steak and Gravy recipe transforms a budget-friendly cut of meat into a tender, flavorful dinner that comes together in just about 30 minutes. The pressure cooker does the heavy lifting, creating its own luscious gravy while making the cubed steak tender enough to melt in your mouth. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want a comforting meal without spending all evening in the kitchen.

I first tried adapting my slow cooker cubed steak recipe for the Instant Pot and it was a game changer. The meat turns out just as tender, and my family keeps asking me to make it again. It’s become one of our goto dinners any time I want something hearty and satisfying fast.

Ingredients

• Water: One and a half cups of water — the base for the gravy and pressure cooking liquid
• French onion soup: One can of French onion soup — adds savory depth and rich onion flavor try to choose a good quality brand for best taste
• Cream of chicken soup: One can of cream of chicken soup — brings creaminess and helps thicken the gravy you can swap for cream of mushroom if you prefer
• Au Jus Gravy mix: One packet of Au Jus Gravy mix — boosts the beef flavor pick a packet with a good balance of seasoning for the best sauce
• Cubed steaks: Four cubed steaks about two pounds — a tenderized cut that’s affordable look for steaks that are well trimmed with minimal fat for a cleaner taste
• Cornstarch slurry: Quarter cup of water combined with three tablespoons of cornstarch — for making the slurry that thickens the gravy perfectly

Instructions

Sauté the Base:

Pour one and a half cups of water the French onion soup cream of chicken soup and the packet of Au Jus Gravy mix into the Instant Pot insert. Use a whisk to mix these ingredients together thoroughly so the gravy base is smooth and well combined.

Add the Cubed Steaks:

Nestle the cubed steaks into the gravy mixture inside the Instant Pot. Make sure each piece is covered with the sauce to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.

Pressure Cook the Meat:

Seal the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to sealing. Choose the manual high pressure setting and cook for 20 minutes. Be patient as it may take 5 to 10 minutes for the pot to come up to pressure. If you receive a burn notice keep calm. Wait a few minutes and it should start cooking. If not carefully release the lid scrape any stuck bits from the bottom add a little more water and try again.

Quick Release Carefully:

When the cooking time ends use the quick release method by turning the valve to venting. Be very cautious of the hot steam as it releases rapidly. Wait for all the steam to escape before unlocking the lid.

Create the Gravy:

Turn the Instant Pot to the sauté setting. Remove the cubed steaks and set aside. In a small bowl mix the quarter cup of water with the three tablespoons of cornstarch until smooth (this is called a slurry). Slowly pour the slurry into the remaining liquid in the pot while whisking continuously. Stir until the gravy thickens nicely.

Reheat and Serve:

Return the cubed steaks to the pot to warm through in the thickened gravy. Once warmed turn off the Instant Pot and serve immediately. This dish is delicious over creamy mashed potatoes noodles or rice.

My favorite part about this dish has to be the way the pressure cooker transforms a tough cut of meat into something so tender and juicy. It reminds me of cozy Sunday dinners growing up where we’d sit around the table savoring every bite of gravysoaked cubed steak and mashed potatoes. It’s one of those homey meals that feels like a warm hug.

Storage tips

Let the cubed steak and gravy cool completely before storing in an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to four days and the flavors actually deepen overnight. When reheating warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.

Ingredient substitutions

If you don’t have French onion soup low sodium beef consommé or beef broth is a great alternative. Cream of chicken soup can be swapped with cream of mushroom or any cream based soup you enjoy. For the Au Jus Gravy mix you can use powdered beef bouillon mixed with some garlic and onion powder if you want to go homemade.

Serving suggestions

This cubed steak is best served over creamy mashed potatoes to soak up that delicious gravy. You can also pair it with cafeteriastyle noodles buttered rice or even roasted vegetables for a complete meal. A side of steamed green beans makes a simple fresh contrast to the richness.

Serve this Instant Pot cubed steak over mashed potatoes for a comforting weeknight dinner. Leftovers often taste even better the next day.

Common Recipe Questions

→ What is cubed steak?

Cubed steak is a cut of beef that has been tenderized by running it through a meat tenderizer, breaking down tough fibers to make it more tender.

→ How do you prevent cubed steak from becoming tough?

Cooking cubed steak under pressure or slow and low helps break down the connective tissue, resulting in a tender texture.

→ Can I substitute French onion soup in the cooking liquid?

Yes, beef consommé or beef broth can be used as an alternative to French onion soup without losing flavor.

→ How is the gravy thickened after cooking?

A slurry made from cornstarch and water is whisked into the hot liquid to quickly thicken the gravy to the desired consistency.

→ What are good side dishes to serve with this cubed steak?

Mashed potatoes, cafeteria noodles, or rice are excellent sides to soak up the flavorful gravy.

→ What should I do if I get a burn notice on the pressure cooker?

Wait a few minutes without opening the lid; the burn message usually clears once the cooking progresses. Ensure no food is stuck to the pot bottom and add extra liquid if needed.