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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Eye of round steak in peppercorn sauce (Instant Pot)

    Published: Jan 21, 2021 · Modified: Feb 15, 2022 by Nadja Belgrave · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Delicious cream-free eye of round steak in peppercorn sauce made in no time, perfect for any special lunch or dinner, made using the Instant Pot, generating a flavorful result in less time.

    eye of round steak served on a plate with rice and broccoli

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click to read my policy and more about affiliate links. 

    This recipe came up looking for other ways to cook the beef eye of round steak that did not take a long time to be tender. It is simple to do and does not need much supervision.

    Beef eye of round is a lean cut of meat, but by its nature, it is a tough cut. Simmering it for a long time helps tenderize it.

    Another option would be to use pressure cooking that generates the same result in less time.

    The traditional peppercorn sauce has cream and brandy. This time we are going to use fewer ingredients to generate a very similar flavor.

    📋 Ingredients for the recipe

    To prepare this recipe, you will need a yellow onion, sliced ​​round loin, black peppercorns, black pepper, olive oil, butter, cornstarch, garlic and onion powder, salt. In the recipe card below, you will have the complete measurements of each of these ingredients.

    You can also find substitutions if you don’t have an ingredient.

    ingredient in small bowls collage

    As for utensils, you will need a plate, a spoon or spatula, a small bowl, and an electric pressure cooker.

    Now that you have all the ingredients and utensils let’s get started.

    📝 How to make the recipe? – Step by Step

    Step 1: For the preparation, season the steaks with the spices salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder on both sides. You can choose to let it marinate for 15 minutes or cook right away.

    Step 2: Select the “Sauté” mode on the electric pressure cooker. Let it heat up, and add the oil to heat it.

    Step 3: Brown the slices on both sides for about 1 minute on each side. Remove from the pot and reserve.

    Searing the round steaks in the instant pot

    💡 Tip: Browning meats helps generate more flavor. We’ll use these flavor bits as the base for the sauce.

    Step 4: Without rinsing the pot, add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes, trying to remove whatever is stuck to the bottom of the pot.

    Step 5: Press the “Cancel” button. Add a cup of water, the peppercorns, and the eye of round slices back to the pot.

    Make sure to remove any bits stuck to the bottom to avoid getting the instant pot “BURN” error.

    adding back the steaks to the instant pot to cook

    Step 6: Cover the pot and move the valve to where it says “Sealing” to start building pressure. Press the option “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” and select the time.

    Depending on how thick your slices are, you can adjust between 9 to 12 minutes if it is very thick. For these, set to 10 minutes. It takes 10-12 minutes to reach pressure.

    Step 7: Once the time is up, let it sit for 10 minutes and then move the valve to “Venting” to remove any additional pressure it may have.

    💡 Tip: I prefer it to release the pressure naturally to prevent the meat from drying out. I recommend when you cook meat in the instant pot to do Natural Pressure Release (NPR) or wait 10 minutes before doing a Quick Release (QR).

    Step 8: Remove the eye of round steaks from the pot and place them on a plate. Remove ½ cup of the liquid from the pot and dissolve the cornstarch with it.

    Select the “Sauté” option, add the dissolved cornstarch, stirring to ensure that it mixes well with the rest of the liquid and that it does not get all in one place.

    adding the diluted cornstarch to the instant pot

    Step 9: Add the butter and cook until the sauce thickens or for about 3-5 minutes. Add the tenderloin slices again and cover with the sauce.

    Step 10: Press the “Cancel” button and serve the round steaks. Enjoy!

    Recipe tips

    Serving Suggestions:

    • As it has sauce, it is an excellent option to serve with rice and vegetables.
    • You could also opt for a portion of pasta that works well with this type of sauce.
    • You prefer a vegetable-only option. You could opt for cauliflower rice or some sauteed vegetables like broccoli or beans.
    • It also makes a great combination with potatoes in its presentations, mashed, roasted, etc.

    Substitutions:

    • Onion: you can use either white or yellow. If you don’t like the flavor, you can omit it.
    • Garlic: you can use finely minced garlic without problems.
    • Oil: You can use whatever you have on hand, preferably one with a neutral flavor like canola or avocado or vegetable oil.
    • Cornstarch: you can replace it with flour.
    • Water: You could replace it with beef or chicken broth, and it would give the sauce a little more body.

    How to store leftovers?

    You can store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To heat it, you can do it using a microwave or the stove for a few minutes.

    Can I add the heavy cream?

    If you like, you can add heavy cream for a slightly creamier texture. Use one (1)  tablespoon and add it with the cornstarch. I don’t suggest adding it during cooking because it might curdle.

    Other Instant Pot Recipes

    • Instant Pot Meatballs and Sauce (No Breadcrumbs)
    • How to make Maple dijon pork chops 3 ways
    • Instant Pot Stuffed Turkey Breast with Chorizo
    • Instant Pot Beef Tongue Stew

    If you tried the eye of round steak in peppercorn sauce or any other recipe on Nashi Food, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! We love knowing about your cooking experience.

    Eye of round steak in peppercorn sauce

    eye of round steak served on a plate with rice and broccoli
    Print Recipe
    4.98 from 39 votes
    Delicious cream-free eye of round steak in peppercorn sauce made in no time, perfect for any special lunch or dinner, made using the Instant Pot.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Natural Pressure Release (NPR)10 mins
    Total Time35 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Internacional
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 231kcal
    Author: Nadja Belgrave
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound beef eye of round thin steaks
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil
    • 1 diced yellow onion
    • 1 cup water
    • 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • ½ tablespoon butter

    Utensils

    • A plate
    • a spoon or spatula
    • 6 Quarts Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker
    • a small bowl

    Instructions

    • Season the steaks with the spices salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder on both sides. You can choose to let it marinate for 15 minutes or cook right away.
    • Select the "Sauté" mode on the electric pressure cooker. Let it heat up, and add the oil to heat it.
    • Brown the slices on both sides for about 1 minute on each side. Remove from the pot and reserve.
    • Without rinsing the pot, add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes, trying to remove whatever is stuck to the bottom of the pot.
    • Press the "Cancel" button. Add a cup of water, the peppercorns, and the eye of round slices. Make sure to remove any bits stuck to the bottom to avoid having the instant pot “BURN” error.
    • Cover the pot and move the valve to where it says “Sealing” to start building pressure. Press the option "Pressure Cook" or “Manual” and select the time. Depending on how thick your slices are, you can adjust between 9 to 12 minutes if it is very thick. For these, set to 10 minutes. It takes 10-12 minutes to reach pressure.
    • Once the time is up, let it sit for 10 minutes and then move the valve to “Venting” to remove any additional pressure it may have.
    • Remove the eye of round steaks from the pot and place them on a plate. Remove ½ cup of the liquid from the pot and dissolve the cornstarch with it into the small bowl. Select the "Sauté" option, add the dissolved cornstarch, stirring to ensure that it mixes well with the rest of the liquid and that it does not get all in one place.
    • Add the butter and cook until the sauce thickens or for about 3-5 minutes. Add the tenderloin slices again and cover with the sauce.
    • Press the "Cancel" button and serve the round steaks. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Substitutions:
    • Onion: you can use either white or yellow. If you don’t like the flavor, you can omit it.
    • Garlic: you can use finely minced garlic without problems.
    • Oil: You can use whatever you have on hand, preferably one with a neutral flavor like canola or avocado or vegetable oil.
    • Cornstarch: you can replace it with flour.
    • Water: You could replace it with beef or chicken broth, and it would give the sauce a little more body.
    How to store leftovers? You can store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To heat it, you can do it using a microwave or the stove for a few minutes.
    Can I add the heavy cream? If you like, you can add heavy cream for a slightly creamier texture. Use one (1)  tablespoon and add it with the cornstarch. I don’t suggest adding it during cooking because it might curdle.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Eye of round steak in peppercorn sauce
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 231 Calories from Fat 81
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 9g14%
    Saturated Fat 3g19%
    Cholesterol 83mg28%
    Sodium 526mg23%
    Potassium 559mg16%
    Carbohydrates 8g3%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 1g1%
    Protein 29g58%
    Vitamin A 72IU1%
    Vitamin C 3mg4%
    Calcium 61mg6%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Share it on Instagram mention @nashifood or tag it #nashifood!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Del

      February 19, 2021 at 5:12 pm

      I’m trying this tonight! Wish me luck.

      Reply
    2. Del

      February 19, 2021 at 6:59 pm

      Just back to say that it was very easy to follow. It turned out great! I wasn’t sure how the eye of round would turn out. But it is nice and soft and the sauce is yummy! Thank you Nadja for your quick reply to my question on the time.

      Reply
    3. Jina

      September 14, 2021 at 11:50 am

      How thick are the steaks cut?

      Reply
      • Nadja Belgrave

        September 14, 2021 at 12:24 pm

        Hi Jina, these are fairly thin steak cuts, around half inch.

        Reply
        • Jina

          September 14, 2021 at 5:59 pm

          Thank you! Trying them out tonight

          Reply
    4. Kara R.

      December 14, 2022 at 1:26 am

      I made this tonight bc we had some round steaks & I love cooking them in the instapot but the last recipe I used wasn’t all that great so found this one & it was absolutely amazing! The hubs was in heaven( he loves pepper on everything as is so this just had him digging in.) Im not that big a fan of spicy food so I was kinda nervous bout whether I could eat it & enjoy or be chasing it with water the entire meal but to my surprise I was able to handle it. it’s a bit spicy but it’s not the kind that keeps building the more you eat. It’s just enough to know that it’s a pepper dish for sure. Overall, it was a big hit with us & I’ll def be bookmarking this recipe for making on lots in the future. Thanks for this amazing meal!!!

      Reply
      • Nadja Belgrave

        December 31, 2022 at 8:30 am

        Hola Kara! that makes me so happy. I’m glad that you and your husband enjoyed it.

        Reply

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    Hola, I'm Nadja! I'm the writer, recipe developer, and photographer behind Nashi Food. I share Panamanian & Latin recipes made EASY, so you can fit them into your busy schedule ~ even when it's just 2 people! I will make sure that You can still enjoy the Latin food you love and connect with.

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