Tender & Flavorful Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak: Your Go-To Easy Weeknight Meal
Imagine a dish so incredibly tender, the steak practically melts in your mouth, infused with a rich, tangy barbecue sauce, sweet tomatoes, crisp peppers, and aromatic onions. This Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak recipe delivers exactly that: a deeply satisfying, hearty main dish that’s surprisingly simple to prepare. The beauty of the Instant Pot lies in its ability to transform tough cuts of meat into fall-apart tender perfection in a fraction of the time, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Serve this delectable steak over creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or hearty noodles to ensure every last drop of that scrumptious sauce is savored. It’s a true crowd-pleaser and a smart, budget-friendly choice for any family dinner.
The Inspiration: A Family Favorite, Now Faster
Many of us have those cherished family recipes that bring warmth and comfort to the dinner table. For me, it’s my mother-in-law’s classic Swiss Steak, a slow-cooked masterpiece with a tangy tomato barbecue sauce that is truly divine, especially paired with her famous cheddar mashed potatoes. The only drawback? It’s a slow cooker recipe, which, while wonderful for hands-off cooking, often requires hours of unattended simmering – time I don’t always have during a hectic week.
Let’s be honest, life gets busy! Sometimes, despite the best intentions, meal planning goes awry, and you need a delicious, hearty meal you can literally ‘throw together’ at the last minute. This is where the magic of the Instant Pot comes in! Today’s Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak is my modern, speedy take on that beloved family recipe, delivering the same incredible flavor and fork-tender texture in under an hour. If you’re new to pressure cooking, this recipe is an excellent introduction to your Instant Pot. It’s incredibly forgiving and showcases just how effortless delicious meals can be with this versatile appliance. For reference, I use this 6-quart Instant Pot model, which is readily available on Amazon and perfectly sized to feed my family of six.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor
You might be surprised to learn that this remarkably flavorful Swiss steak requires just five core ingredients, plus a dash of salt and pepper to enhance their natural goodness. The beauty is in the simplicity and how well these ingredients meld under pressure to create a complex and satisfying taste profile.
You’ll need:
- 1 ½ pounds of round steak: An economical cut that truly benefits from the Instant Pot’s pressure cooking, becoming incredibly tender and flavorful.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes: These provide a tangy base for the sauce and contribute to the rich, stew-like consistency.
- Your Favorite Barbecue Sauce: Choose a sauce you love! Whether it’s smoky, sweet, or a little spicy, it will be the dominant flavor in this dish.
- Onion: A classic aromatic that adds depth and natural sweetness to the sauce.
- Green Bell Pepper: Adds a touch of freshness, color, and a subtle crispness that holds up well during cooking.
*Pro Tip: If you’re short on time and want to simplify this recipe even further, feel free to pick up a bag of frozen sliced peppers and onions! It’s a fantastic shortcut that doesn’t compromise on flavor or texture.
How to Make Tender BBQ Swiss Steak in Your Instant Pot
This recipe is a fantastic introduction to cooking in the Instant Pot because it’s pretty much “dump and go.” You won’t need to sear or sauté anything beforehand, making cleanup a breeze and getting dinner on the table even faster.
Here’s how to assemble this incredible meal:
- Prepare Your Steak: Begin by cutting the 1 ½ pounds of round steak into approximately 6 serving-sized pieces. Season generously on both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. This initial seasoning is crucial for building flavor from the ground up.
- Layer the Foundation: Place about half of the seasoned steak pieces evenly at the bottom of your Instant Pot’s inner liner. This forms the first layer of savory goodness. Over this, distribute half of your sliced onion, green bell pepper, and the drained canned diced tomatoes. The tomatoes add a crucial acidic element that helps tenderize the meat and create a rich, complex sauce.
- Repeat for Full Flavor: Repeat the layering process with the remaining steak, onion, bell pepper, and diced tomatoes. This ensures an even distribution of ingredients, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully as they cook under pressure.
- The BBQ Sauce Finish: Carefully pour your favorite barbecue sauce over the top of all the layered ingredients. There’s no need to stir at this point; the pressure cooking process will gently infuse the sauce throughout the entire dish.
- Pressure Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, making sure the sealing valve is set to ‘Sealing.’ Select the ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ setting (depending on your model) and set the cooking time for 25 minutes on High Pressure. The Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure before the cooking countdown begins, typically 10-15 minutes.
- Natural Release for Tenderness: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release steam for 5 minutes. This natural pressure release (NPR) stage is vital for round steak, as it helps the meat relax and become even more tender. After 5 minutes, carefully switch the sealing valve to ‘Venting’ for a quick release (QR) of any remaining pressure. Once the float valve drops, it’s safe to open the lid.
- Serve and Savor: Gently stir the contents of the pot, ensuring the sauce is well distributed and coating every tender piece of steak and vegetable. Your fall-apart tender BBQ Swiss Steak is now ready to enjoy!
Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions
This Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak is a wonderfully flavorful and satisfying meal on its own, but it truly shines when paired with the right accompaniments. Our family’s absolute favorite way to enjoy this dish is piled high over creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes. The rich, tangy barbecue sauce soaks into the potatoes, creating an incredibly comforting and satisfying combination that everyone adores.
For a complete and balanced meal, we often serve it alongside vibrant roasted green beans or sweet garden peas. The freshness and slight crunch of the vegetables provide a lovely contrast to the hearty, tender steak and rich sauce. And, of course, don’t forget the hot rolls! They are absolutely essential for soaking up every last bit of that delectable, savory sauce – trust me, you won’t want to leave a single drop behind!
Other excellent serving options include steamed white rice, wide egg noodles, or even a side of fluffy cornbread for a true Southern comfort food experience. No matter how you choose to serve it, this BBQ Swiss Steak is guaranteed to be a hit at your dinner table.
The Magic of Pressure Cooking for Swiss Steak
Round steak, while economical and packed with beefy flavor, can be notoriously tough if not cooked properly. This is precisely where the Instant Pot shines as a kitchen hero. The high-pressure environment inside the pot rapidly breaks down the tough connective tissues in the round steak, tenderizing it incredibly efficiently. This process not only makes the meat wonderfully tender but also forces the rich, tangy barbecue sauce and the natural juices from the tomatoes and vegetables deep into every fiber of the steak.
The result is a texture that rivals hours of slow simmering, but achieved in a fraction of the time, making it an ideal method for busy weeknights when you crave a hearty, home-cooked meal without the wait. The sealed environment also ensures that moisture and flavor are locked in, preventing the dish from drying out and creating a consistently delicious outcome every time.
Storage and Reheating Tips for Leftovers
One of the many benefits of this Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak recipe is how well it holds up as leftovers – in fact, some might argue it tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld! To store, simply transfer any remaining steak and sauce into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
When you’re ready to enjoy it again, you can gently reheat the Swiss steak on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through. If the sauce has thickened too much in the refrigerator, you can add a splash of water or beef broth to reach your desired consistency. Alternatively, individual portions can be reheated in the microwave. For longer storage, this dish also freezes beautifully. Portion the cooled Swiss steak into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags and store for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Discover More Easy Instant Pot Recipes
If you’ve enjoyed the simplicity and deliciousness of this Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak, you’re in for a treat! The Instant Pot is a powerhouse for creating quick, flavorful meals that make weeknight cooking a breeze. Explore some of our other favorite easy recipes that will help you get the most out of your pressure cooker:
- The Easiest Instant Pot Beef and Noodles
- Hearty Instant Pot Turkey and Noodles
- Comforting Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup
- Big Batch Instant Pot Shredded Chicken for Meal Prep
- Flavorful Instant Pot Ranch Potatoes
Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak
Incredibly tender round steak simmered in a rich barbecue sauce with tomatoes, peppers, and onions, all made quickly in the Instant Pot.
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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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Cut the round steak into serving sized pieces and season with salt and pepper. Place ½ of the seasoned steaks in the bottom of the instant pot.
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Layer ½ of the onion, green pepper, and drained chopped tomatoes over the beef. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients.
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Pour the barbecue sauce evenly over the top. Do not stir.
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Place the lid on the instant pot and seal. Cook on manual/pressure cook for 25 minutes. Allow to naturally release steam for 5 minutes, then carefully quick release the remaining steam.
Notes
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