Boiled Meat in Pressure Cooker

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PRESENTATION

Pressure-cooked boiled meat, or “bollito in pentola a pressione,” is this awesome dish from the cozy winter kitchens of Piedmont, Northern Italy. Tender beef, perfect for when the chill sets in. In Piedmont, cooks love using cuts like reale or biancostato. Plus, they toss in aromatic spices like peppercorns and cloves—seriously, the aroma is something else.

This version gives a modern twist on the classic method. And you know what? Using a pressure cooker saves so much time while still holding onto those flavors we all love. It's one of those pressure cooker beef recipes that keeps tradition alive, minus the fuss. Really, people love capturing all the juicy goodness of the traditional method but without waiting forever. It is a big win for those craving tender beef in pressure cooker style. No question, you get the deep, meaty flavors that make Piedmontese cuisine so comforting.

For anyone juggling busy schedules but still wanting those Italian vibes at the table, this recipe is a total game-changer. “Bollito misto alla piemontese” typically means hours of gentle boiling with a mix of meats. But with the Instant Pot beef stew method, you keep all the goodness—moist, melt-in-your-mouth beef and savory broth—without the all-day cooking. Really, many Italian home cooks are now using pressure cooking techniques to make meals faster and just as delicious. You'll see the beef comes out soft and golden on the outside, soaking up all the spice and vegetable flavors.

And here's the thing: this fits right in with other easy pressure cooker meals from Italy—think soups, stews and one-pot classics that scream comfort and save you time. Whether it's dinner for the family or just a warm meal after a long day, this Piedmont-style boiled beef combines old-school taste with modern convenience—all in one satisfying dish. So... So good.

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INGREDIENTS
Beef steak 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg)
Celery 2 ribs
Carrots 2
Onions 1
Cloves 4
Ground black pepper 4
Thyme 1 sprig
Bay leaves 1 sprig
Parsley 1 sprig
Fine salt to taste
Preparation

How to prepare Boiled Meat in Pressure Cooker

To prepare the boiled meat in a pressure cooker, first peel the onion and insert the cloves inside 1; this way, it will be easier to remove them later. Transfer the onion, celery cut into large pieces 2, and peeled carrots 3 into a pot.

Add the parsley sprigs 4, thyme sprigs 5, and bay leaves 6.

Insert the peppercorns 7 and the pieces of meat 8. Then pour enough water to completely cover the ingredients 9.

Add a little salt 10 so you can adjust the flavor at the end of cooking, then close and seal the pot 11, carefully following the instructions. Turn on high heat and bring to pressure. Once you hear the whistle, lower the heat and cook for 50 minutes. Then turn off and allow it to fully depressurize. Once all the steam has been released, you can open the pressure cooker 12.

Drain the meat, remove the bone, and cut it into pieces 13. Plate it together with the vegetables and adjust the salt 14. Serve it hot 15, along with the remaining broth. 

Storage

The boiled meat in a pressure cooker can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days or frozen if you used fresh ingredients.

You can filter and store the meat broth obtained from cooking, perhaps freezing it in ice cube trays, so it is ready and portioned for any occasion!

Advice

If you wish, you can use different types of meat to obtain a mixed boiled dish, in this case, chicken thighs are recommended to give more flavor to the broth. The remaining broth can be filtered and used for other recipes: for a risotto or ravioli in broth.

If you prefer, instead of brisket, you can also use chuck, but it's advisable to tie it in this case.

How to Cook in a Pressure Cooker

  • How do you use a pressure cooker?

    It's important not to overfill the pressure cooker. Usually, an internal mark indicates the maximum level: typically 2/3. For foods that increase in volume, like rice, it is advised not to exceed half.
    Before beginning cooking, ensure the lid is correctly closed and the valve is shut.
    Once the pot reaches pressure, you can lower the flame until the steam release from the valve is as constant and "gentle" as possible. Keeping it at a minimum will also save energy.

  • How do you open a pressure cooker?

    Never open the lid while steam is escaping from the valve. Once cooking is finished, you should release all the steam by lifting or turning the valve, and once the pot is no longer under pressure, you can open the lid.
    Be careful of the steam jet during "decompression".

  • Why cook with a pressure cooker?

    A pressure cooker allows foods to be cooked at a higher pressure, thus reducing cooking times.

  • How much water in the pressure cooker?

    The amount of water should be adjusted based on the cooking time. It's important that it does not completely evaporate during cooking.

  • What to cook in a pressure cooker?

    You can cook potatoes, roasts, legumes, vegetables, broths.

  • How long do foods cook in a pressure cooker?

    Each preparation has different cooking times compared to traditional recipes; using a pressure cooker reduces cooking times by about half.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.