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Can I put a frozen London broil in the Instant Pot?

Quick Answer

Yes, you can cook a frozen London broil in the Instant Pot. The Instant Pot is a multi-use pressure cooker that can quickly and conveniently cook frozen meat cuts like London broil from frozen using pressure cooking. With the high pressure environment inside the Instant Pot, the frozen London broil can become fully cooked and tender in around 30-40 minutes depending on size and doneness preference.

Steps to Cook Frozen London Broil in Instant Pot

Cooking frozen London broil in the Instant Pot takes just a few easy steps:

  1. Take the frozen London broil and place it in the Instant Pot inner pot. Make sure it is thawed even slightly and isn’t rock solid frozen.
  2. Add 1 cup of water or broth to the Instant Pot. This will create steam to help cook the meat.
  3. Secure the lid and make sure the pressure valve is sealed.
  4. Select the Meat/Stew button and adjust cook time for 30-40 minutes for a 1-2 lb London broil.
  5. Allow pressure to fully release when cooking is complete. This may take 10-15 minutes.
  6. Remove the inner pot, slice London broil and serve!

The key is making sure to have some liquid in the Instant Pot and fully thawing the London broil slightly before cooking. With these steps, the pressurized environment will heat through the frozen meat quickly for tender results.

Benefits of Cooking Frozen London Broil in Instant Pot

There are several advantages to using the Instant Pot for frozen London broil:

  • Fast cooking time – The pressurized environment significantly reduces cook time compared to oven or stovetop.
  • Tender results – Pressure breaks down connective tissues for tender, fall-apart meat.
  • Convenience – Put frozen meat in and walk away while it cooks hands-free.
  • Consistency – Takes the guesswork out of timing for fully cooked results.
  • More flavor – Pressure forces seasoning deep into the meat.

The speed and convenience of using the Instant Pot for frozen cuts of meat like London broil makes it easy to get tender, flavorful results with minimal effort required.

Choosing the Right Size London Broil

When selecting a London broil to cook from frozen in the Instant Pot, choose one that will fit comfortably in the inner pot of your model:

Instant Pot Model Recommended London Broil Size
3 Quart 1 lb or less
6 Quart 1.5 – 2 lbs
8 Quart 2 – 3 lbs

The freezing and thickness of the London broil will impact cook times. Larger roasts may need more time to become fully tender. Check for doneness at the minimum cook time before adjusting time as needed.

London Broil Doneness Guide

Different doneness levels result in different textures when cooking London broil. Use these signs during cooking to identify the doneness level and adjust cook time accordingly:

Doneness Level Description Instant Pot Cook Time
Rare Bright red center, soft 25-30 minutes
Medium Rare Warm pink center 30-35 minutes
Medium Hot pink center 35-40 minutes
Medium Well Trace of pink in center 40-45 minutes
Well Done No pink in center 45-60 minutes

Use a meat thermometer to confirm temperatures if unsure of doneness level. Remove London broil at least 10 minutes before desired doneness level as carryover cooking will continue.

Seasoning and Flavoring

One advantage of the Instant Pot is that seasonings and liquids are able to fully penetrate into the London broil to enhance flavor. Here are some tasty ways to flavor frozen London broil in the Instant Pot:

  • Dry seasoning rub: Coat frozen London broil with Cajun seasoning, steak seasoning, Italian dressing mix, garlic powder, etc.
  • Marinade: Let London broil thaw overnight in a marinade before pressure cooking. Balsamic, soy sauce, Italian dressing all work well.
  • Broth: Use chicken, beef or veg broth instead of water for flavor infusion.
  • Onion and garlic: Add slices or chopped onion and garlic to pressure cook with flavors.
  • Wine or beer: For an acidic flavor boost, use wine, beer or vinegar to cook with.

Get creative with spices, sauces and aromatics to make your frozen London broil taste delicious with the Instant Pot. The pressurized environment really drives in flavors.

Serving Instant Pot Frozen London Broil

Once cooked, the London broil should slice easily for serving. Here are some tasty ways to serve it up:

  • Slice thin and serve with chimichurri sauce or compound butter on top.
  • Shred into pieces and use for sandwiches, tacos or nachos.
  • Cube or slice into a salad with greens, veggies and dressing.
  • Slice and use for stir fries or fajitas with veggies and rice.
  • Pair with roasted potatoes and vegetables for a full meal.

London broil is very versatile after cooking. Use it in a variety of dishes and cuisines. Slice against the grain for tender meat.

Instant Pot Frozen London Broil Recipe

This simple recipe shows just how easy it is to make delicious London broil from frozen using the Instant Pot:

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs frozen London broil
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf

Instructions:

  1. Place frozen London broil in Instant Pot inner pot.
  2. Pour beef broth over top and add soy sauce, garlic, thyme, pepper and bay leaf.
  3. Secure lid and set to Meat/Stew mode for 35 minutes pressure cook time.
  4. Allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Release remaining pressure.
  5. Remove London broil and slice thinly against the grain. Serve with cooking juices.

The soy sauce, garlic and thyme give great flavor to the meat which becomes very tender. Enjoy this easy weeknight dinner.

Tips for Best Results

Follow these tips when cooking frozen London broil in the Instant Pot for ideal results:

  • Always use at least 1 cup broth, water or sauce for moisture and flavor.
  • Let meat thaw slightly before cooking if rock solid frozen so it cooks evenly.
  • Trim off excess fat which can cause build up of pressure.
  • Cut London broil across the grain before serving for tender texture.
  • Adjust cook times based on thickness of meat and desired doneness.
  • Allow natural pressure release for at least 10 minutes before quick release.
  • Use a meat thermometer if unsure whether meat is fully cooked.

Common Questions

What size London broil fits in an Instant Pot?

For a 6 quart Instant Pot, a 1.5-2 lb London broil is recommended. Smaller 3-4 quart models can fit 1 lb London broils. Larger 8 quart Instant Pots can accommodate 2-3 lb sizes. Make sure meat can lay flat in single layer.

How long does it take to cook frozen London broil in Instant Pot?

Cook times range from 25-60 minutes depending on size of meat and desired doneness level. Smaller 1 lb London broils may cook in 25-35 minutes. Larger roasts up to 3 lbs may need 45-60 minutes to become tender.

Can you put frozen meat straight into Instant pot?

It’s best to thaw London broil slightly before pressure cooking. You can run frozen meat under cool water for 5-10 minutes to thaw surface. Rock solid frozen may not cook evenly. Slightly thawed meat will cook more evenly.

Is London broil good in Instant Pot?

Yes, London broil turns out very tender and flavorful in the Instant Pot. The moist heat environment and pressure work to break down the collagen for melt-in-your mouth texture. Seasonings also penetrate into the meat.

Conclusion

Cooking frozen London broil in the Instant Pot is a fast and easy way to get tender, delicious results with minimal effort. The high pressure environment quickly and evenly thaws and cooks the meat for a perfect weeknight dinner. With some simple seasoning and liquid, you can make tasty Instant Pot London broil from frozen. Adjust cook times as needed to achieve your ideal doneness. Enjoy convenience meals with your versatile Instant Pot.