This Instant pot beef liver recipe is an old-fashioned meal made easily in the pressure cooker! Cooking in under 10 minutes, you'll love how tender and flavorful this dinner is!

If you grew up eating liver this Instant pot beef liver and onions recipe will remind you of your childhood. In this recipe, beef liver is cooked with sliced onions, garlic, beef broth, and sour cream.

The tender meat is smothered in a rich and creamy gravy and it's so good served over mashed potatoes. Try my other favorite liver dish- air fryer beef liver, for every beef liver lover.

By cooking the beef liver in a pressure cooker it stays tender and has a softer texture than oven baking or pan frying. It cooks faster and it doesn't become tough or rubbery.

Liver is a very healthy cut of meat that is rich in iron and plenty of other vitamins and minerals. It has a bold flavor and beef liver in particular tastes sweet and earthy. This is a quick and easy dish to make when you are short on time and it's very hearty and filling too!

Recipe ingredients

Beef liver. You will need 1lb of beef liver cut into 1-inch chunks. Use high-quality grass-fed liver if you can.

Onions. White or yellow onions cut into slices. Its sweetness goes well with liver.

Garlic. Lends a very rich and savory flavor to this liver and onions recipe.

Butter. For nice flavor.

Beef broth. Keeps the liver from drying out during the cooking process and gives a strong beefy flavor to this dish.

Seasonings. Salt, black and white pepper. White pepper is earthy and tastes similar to ground ginger.

Sour cream. Adds a creamy tanginess to this Instant Pot liver and onions recipe.

How to make Instant pot beef liver

If beef liver is frozen you will need to defrost it first. Leave on the counter for couple hours or thaw in the fridge overnight. Rinse with cold running water and slice in about 1 inch pieces.

Add liver to the pot. Thinly slice onions and add to the liver with a pice of unsalted butter. Add black pepper, white pepper and salt and some beef broth. Add minced or chopped garlic. Stir.

Close and lock the lid. Pressure cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes. Quick release the pressure when done. Carefully open the lid and stir. Add sour cream and stir again. Try and add more seasoning if needed. Serve with chopped green onions on top.

Substitutions

Beef liver. Use calf, lamb, or veal liver instead. These types of liver have a milder flavor than beef liver. Pork liver has a stronger bolder flavor that can be used if you like!

Butter. Use olive oil instead.

Beef broth. Chicken broth or beef bouillon with ½ cup of water can be used in place of the beef broth.

White pepper. If you can't find it simply leave it out.

Sour cream. Use Greek yogurt instead.

Variations

Optional, but you can soak the liver in milk to help remove any bitter and metallic flavor from the meat. Simply add the liver pieces to 1 ½ cups of milk and allow it to soak for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

To make this Instant Pot beef liver recipe dairy free, replace the butter with vegetable oil, or vegan butter, and the sour cream with vegan sour cream or vegan Greek yogurt.

Serve this Instant Pot liver with crispy bacon bits. Alternatively, you could turn on the SATUE function of the Instant Pot to brown the bacon and onions before adding the other ingredients to give this recipe a sweet and smoky flavor.

Frequently asked questions

Serving suggestions

Mashed potatoes: Creamy and buttery mashed potatoes are a classic pairing for beef liver. They can help balance out the strong flavor of the liver and add some comfort food vibes to the meal.

Rice: Steamed or boiled rice can serve as a neutral base for liver, and can help soak up any sauces or gravy that are served with it.

Grilled vegetables: A side of grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers can provide a tasty and nutritious complement to liver.

Greens: A side of steamed or sautéed greens like spinach, kale, or Swiss chard can add some nutritional value to the meal and help balance out the richness of the liver.

Leftovers

Its important to store leftover instant pot liver properly to avoid drying it out.

1. Let it cool: Allow the leftover beef liver to cool down to room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator or freezer.
2. Wrap it tightly: Wrap the beef liver tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent air exposure and keep it moist. You can also use an air tight glass or plastic container for storage.
3. Store in the refrigerator: If you plan to consume the leftover beef liver within the next few days, store it in the refrigerator. It should be consumed within 3-4 days.
4. Freeze for longer storage: If you won't be consuming the leftover pressure cooker beef liver within a few days, it's best to freeze it for longer storage. Place the wrapped beef liver in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and label it with the date. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
5. Thaw carefully: When you're ready to eat it, remove from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing it at room temperature or in warm water as it will affect the texture and flavor of the meat.
6. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or on the stovetop. Instant pot also can be used in Saute setting. Do not overheat or it will become dry.

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Hope you will like this Instant pot beef liver recipe as much as we do. Please rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or comments.