Effortless Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak: Fall-Apart Tender Beef in Under an Hour
Prepare to revolutionize your weeknight dinner routine with this incredible Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak recipe! Imagine succulent, fall-apart tender round steak, slow-simmered (but fast-cooked!) in a rich, tangy barbecue sauce, perfectly complemented by diced tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, and savory onions. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a hearty, satisfying experience that’s astonishingly easy to prepare and absolutely bursting with flavor.
The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility and deep, comforting taste. Serve it generously over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, al dente noodles, or fluffy rice to soak up every last drop of the delectable sauce. Each bite is a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary, making this recipe a fantastic way to maximize flavor and value.
From Slow Cooker Classic to Instant Pot Sensation
For years, my mother-in-law’s Swiss steak was the gold standard in our family. Her version, lovingly prepared in the slow cooker, featured a delightful tangy tomato barbecue sauce that was simply divine, especially when spooned over a generous helping of cheddar mashed potatoes. The only drawback? It was a slow cooker recipe, requiring hours of simmering. While perfect for leisurely weekends, it wasn’t always practical for busy weeknights when time is of the essence, or when my meal planning hadn’t quite gone to plan!
That’s where the Instant Pot truly shines. This Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak is my modern, expedited homage to that cherished family recipe. It captures all the rich flavors and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness of the original but is miraculously ready in under an hour. This makes it an absolute game-changer for anyone seeking delicious, wholesome meals without the long wait.
If you’re new to the world of pressure cooking, this recipe is an excellent starting point. It’s incredibly forgiving and demonstrates the efficiency of your new appliance perfectly. For reference, I personally use a 6-quart Instant Pot model, readily available on Amazon. It’s spacious enough to comfortably prepare meals for my family of six, making it a truly indispensable kitchen tool.
What Exactly is Swiss Steak?
Despite its name, Swiss steak doesn’t originate from Switzerland. The “Swiss” in Swiss steak actually refers to a culinary technique called “swissing,” which involves tenderizing a cut of meat by pounding or rolling it to flatten and break down tough fibers. This method is traditionally applied to leaner, tougher cuts of beef, such as round steak, to make them more palatable. The tenderized beef is then typically braised or slow-cooked in a savory sauce, resulting in a wonderfully tender and flavorful dish. In our Instant Pot version, the high-pressure environment achieves this tenderization in a fraction of the time, making tough cuts incredibly succulent.
Simple Ingredients, Incredible Flavor
One of the many reasons to love this BBQ Swiss Steak recipe is its simplicity. You only need five core ingredients, plus salt and pepper to season. Each component plays a crucial role in building the robust flavor profile that makes this dish so irresistible.
Essential Ingredients:
- 1 ½ lbs Round Steak: This cut is ideal for Swiss steak due to its lean nature and affordability. The Instant Pot works wonders to break down its fibers, ensuring it becomes incredibly tender.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes: These form the foundational liquid for our flavorful sauce, adding a tangy sweetness and essential moisture.
- Your Favorite Barbecue Sauce: This is where you can truly personalize the dish! Choose a smoky, sweet, spicy, or even a homemade sauce that you adore. The barbecue sauce is the star that gives this Swiss steak its signature tangy-sweet kick.
- Onion: A classic aromatic that adds depth and sweetness to the sauce as it cooks down.
- Green Bell Pepper: Provides a subtle earthy flavor and a lovely visual contrast, softening beautifully into the sauce.
- Salt and Pepper: Crucial for seasoning the meat and enhancing all the other flavors.
*Pro Tip for Even Faster Prep: If you’re really pressed for time, don’t hesitate to use a bag of pre-sliced frozen peppers and onions. They’re a fantastic shortcut and work just as well in this recipe!
Mastering BBQ Swiss Steak in the Instant Pot
This recipe is often described as “dump and go,” and for good reason! It’s wonderfully straightforward, making it perfect for Instant Pot novices and seasoned pros alike.
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide:
- Prepare Your Steak: Begin by cutting your round steak into serving-sized pieces. These can be roughly 2-3 inch squares, or larger if preferred. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on all sides. This initial seasoning is key to building flavor.
- Chop Your Veggies: Dice or slice your onion and bell pepper. Uniform pieces will ensure even cooking. If using frozen, no chopping is needed!
- Layer the Ingredients: This is a crucial step for Instant Pot cooking to prevent a “burn” notice. Start by placing half of the seasoned steak pieces in a single layer at the bottom of your Instant Pot insert.
- Add the First Layer of Veggies: Evenly distribute half of the chopped onion, bell pepper, and drained diced tomatoes over the steak. The tomatoes, in particular, provide essential liquid at the bottom, which is vital for pressure building.
- Repeat Layers: Place the remaining steak on top, followed by the rest of the onion, bell pepper, and diced tomatoes. This layering ensures all ingredients are well-distributed and cook evenly in the flavorful sauce.
- Pour the Sauce: Finally, pour your favorite barbecue sauce over the layered ingredients. Do not stir! Allowing the barbecue sauce to sit on top helps prevent scorching and ensures the pressure builds correctly.
Pressure Cooking and Release:
- Set it and Forget it: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and ensure the sealing vent is in the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” (or “Pressure Cook”) setting and set the cooking time for 25 minutes on high pressure. The Instant Pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure before the cooking countdown begins.
- Natural Release for Tenderness: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes. This means you do nothing and let the pressure drop on its own for the specified time. This brief natural release helps the meat to relax and become even more tender.
- Quick Release: After the 5-minute natural release, carefully turn the sealing vent to the “Venting” position to perform a quick release of any remaining steam. Once the float valve drops, it’s safe to open the lid.
- Serve and Enjoy: Give the contents a gentle stir and marvel at your perfectly tender BBQ Swiss Steak.
Serving Suggestions to Complete Your Meal
This BBQ Swiss Steak is a complete meal in itself, but it truly shines when paired with the right accompaniments. Our absolute favorite way to enjoy this dish is over creamy cheddar mashed potatoes. The cheesy potatoes perfectly complement the tangy barbecue sauce, and their soft texture is ideal for soaking up every bit of that incredible gravy.
Other fantastic options include classic egg noodles, fluffy white or brown rice, or even creamy polenta. For side vegetables, we love serving it with crisp roasted green beans, sweet peas, or steamed corn. And don’t forget a side of warm, crusty bread or hot rolls to sop up any extra sauce – you won’t want to waste a single drop!
Why This Recipe Will Become a Family Favorite
Beyond its delicious taste and incredible tenderness, this Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak offers several compelling reasons why it deserves a spot in your regular meal rotation:
- Unbeatable Convenience: Ready in under an hour, it’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Budget-Friendly: Round steak is an economical cut of beef, and the Instant Pot transforms it into a luxurious, fall-apart tender dish, making it a smart choice for feeding a family.
- Deep, Rich Flavor: The combination of barbecue sauce, tomatoes, and fresh vegetables creates a complex, savory, and slightly sweet sauce that is utterly addictive.
- Kid-Friendly: The tender meat and familiar barbecue flavor are often a hit with children, making mealtime smoother for everyone.
- Minimal Cleanup: Cooking everything in one pot drastically reduces cleanup time, which is always a bonus!
Whether you’re new to the Instant Pot or looking for a fresh take on a classic comfort food, this BBQ Swiss Steak recipe is sure to impress. It delivers on flavor, tenderness, and speed, proving that delicious home-cooked meals don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.
More Easy Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re now hooked on the magic of your Instant Pot and looking for more simple, delicious recipes, be sure to check out these other favorites:
- Easiest Instant Pot Beef and Noodles
- Instant Pot Turkey and Noodles
- Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup
- Big Batch Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
- Instant Pot Ranch Potatoes
Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak
Fall apart tender round steak that’s simmered in barbecue sauce with tomatoes, peppers and onions.
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds round steak (cut into 6 pieces)
- 1 small yellow onion (cut into strips)
- 1 green pepper (cut into strips)
- 1 ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 14 ounce can chopped tomatoes (with the juice drained off)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
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Place ½ of the seasoned round steak pieces in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
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Layer ½ of the chopped onion, green pepper, and drained chopped tomatoes over the beef. Repeat with the remaining steak and vegetables to create another layer.
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Pour the barbecue sauce evenly over the top of the layered ingredients. Do not stir.
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Place the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring it’s sealed. Set the Instant Pot to “Manual” (or “Pressure Cook”) and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Once cooking is complete, allow for a 5-minute natural pressure release, then carefully quick-release any remaining steam before opening the lid.
Notes
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