The Perfect Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe for Cozy Nights

When hunger strikes, this hearty Instant Pot beef stew becomes your ultimate comfort companion.

Chunks of tender meat meld with vibrant vegetables in a rich, savory broth.

Cold winter nights demand warm, satisfying meals that fill your kitchen with incredible aromas.

Pressure cooking transforms tough cuts into melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness within minutes.

Each spoonful promises deep, complex flavors that speak directly to your soul.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction with this foolproof recipe.

Trust us, one bite will have you craving this comforting classic again and again.

FAQs

• Is beef stew a healthy meal?

Beef stew provides essential nutrients like protein, iron, and vitamins from beef and vegetables. It offers a balanced meal with lean protein and nutrient-rich vegetables, making it a nutritious dinner option.

• Can I use different types of meat?

While beef is traditional, you can substitute with lamb, pork, or chicken. Each meat will create a unique flavor profile but maintain the classic stew structure.

• What if I don't have an Instant Pot?

You can make this stew in a slow cooker or Dutch oven. Slow cooker method needs 6-8 hours on low, while Dutch oven requires 2-3 hours of slow simmering at 325°F in the oven.

• How do I prevent the meat from becoming tough?

Browning the meat first helps develop flavor and tenderness. Cooking at the right pressure and allowing natural release prevents muscle fibers from becoming stringy, ensuring tender beef pieces.

Instant Pot Beef Stew Packs Hearty Flavor Into Less Time

• Quick Comfort Fix: Delivers hearty, homemade beef stew in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Hands-Off Cooking: Instant Pot does most of the work, allowing you to walk away and return to a perfectly cooked, tender beef stew without constant monitoring or stirring.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimizes cleanup with a single pot cooking method, combining browning, pressure cooking, and thickening stages in the same Instant Pot, saving time and reducing dishwashing.
• Family-Friendly Meal: Packed with nutritious vegetables and tender beef, this stew appeals to both kids and adults, making it an excellent option for family dinners that please everyone's taste buds.

What Builds Instant Pot Beef Stew

• Beef Stew Meat: A hearty, tender protein that provides rich flavor and substance to the stew, best when cut into uniform cubes for even cooking.

• Onion, Carrots, Potatoes: Classic stew vegetables that add sweetness, texture, and nutrition, choose fresh and firm produce for the best results.
• Garlic: Adds depth and aromatic flavor to the dish, provides a robust base note.

• Beef Broth: Provides the foundational liquid and savory flavor for the stew, opt for low-sodium for better control of salt levels.
• Tomato Paste: Adds rich, concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce, deepens the overall color and taste.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Enhances umami and adds complexity to the stew's flavor profile.
• Olive Oil: Used for initial sautéing and helps develop flavors, choose a good quality extra virgin olive oil.

• Dried Thyme, Dried Rosemary, Bay Leaf: Classic herb combination that provides earthy, aromatic notes to the stew.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors, adjust to personal taste.

• Cornstarch: Optional ingredient for creating a thicker, more luxurious stew texture.

Instant Pot Beef Stew Quick Cooking Guide

Step 1: Sizzle and Brown the Meat

Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot using sauté mode.

Carefully place beef chunks into the hot oil, working in batches to ensure each piece gets a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Transfer the browned meat to a separate plate.

Step 2: Create a Flavor Base

Toss chopped onions and minced garlic into the pot, letting them dance and soften.

Stir in tomato paste, allowing it to caramelize and develop a rich, deep flavor.

Step 3: Build the Stew Foundation

• Beef broth
• Worcestershire sauce
• Fresh thyme
• Rosemary sprigs
• Bay leaf
• Browned beef chunks
• Chopped carrots
• Diced potatoes

Gently combine all ingredients, ensuring everything is well mixed.

Step 4: Pressure Cook to Perfection

Secure the Instant Pot lid.

Set the pressure cooker to high and cook for 35 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to become tender.

Step 5: Release and Rest

Once cooking completes, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes.

Then carefully perform a quick release to fully open the lid.

Step 6: Thicken the Stew

In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with water to create a smooth slurry.

Switch the Instant Pot back to sauté mode and stir the cornstarch mixture into the stew, watching it transform into a luxuriously thick consistency.

Step 7: Final Seasoning and Serving

Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Remove the bay leaf.

Ladle the steaming, hearty beef stew into warm bowls and serve immediately.

Instant Pot Beef Stew – Pressure Cooking Tips

• Brown beef pieces in small batches to ensure each chunk develops a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in deep flavor and prevents steaming.
• Crush dried thyme and rosemary between your fingers before adding to release more intense aromatic oils and enhance the stew's overall herbal complexity.
• Mix cornstarch with cold water until completely smooth before adding to prevent lumpy texture, ensuring a silky, glossy stew consistency.
• Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes to help meat fibers relax, resulting in more tender and juicy beef pieces.
• Replace potatoes with cauliflower or turnips for a lower-carbohydrate version that maintains the stew's hearty, comforting essence.

Instant Pot Beef Stew: Store and Reheat Instructions

• Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator, ensuring the meat stays tender and flavors meld together.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, removing excess air, and freeze for 2-3 months without losing its delicious taste.
• Gently warm the stew in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of beef broth to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Reheat individual portions in a microwave-safe dish, covering with a damp paper towel and heating in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly.

Comfort Pairings for Instant Pot Beef Stew

• Craft Complementary Wine Pairing: Select a robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah that matches the hearty beef stew's rich, deep flavors and cuts through the meat's richness.
• Elevate with Rustic Bread: Serve crusty sourdough or artisan French bread to soak up the savory stew liquid, adding delightful texture and enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Balance with Fresh Salad: Prepare a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette to contrast the stew's heaviness, introducing a refreshing element that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Enhance with Side Vegetable: Roast green beans or Brussels sprouts with garlic and olive oil to provide a complementary vegetable side that adds nutrition and additional flavor complexity to the meal.

Instant Pot Beef Stew with Comforting Flavor Twists

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Stew: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets for a keto-friendly version. Use turnips as an alternative root vegetable for added nutrition.
• Vegetarian Mushroom Stew: Swap beef with meaty portobello mushrooms or hearty seitan. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a plant-based alternative.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free tamari sauce instead of Worcestershire sauce. Confirm cornstarch is certified gluten-free to ensure total dietary compliance.
• Slow Cooker Adaptation: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Follow the same seasoning and preparation steps as the Instant Pot method.

Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe

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4.5 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty and comforting, this instant pot beef stew delivers rich flavors that dance across your palate with tender meat and robust vegetables. Succulent beef chunks slow-cooked in savory broth invite you to savor a classic meal that warms both body and soul.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 lbs (907 grams) beef stew meat, cubed

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 onion, diced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 4 cups (946 milliliters) beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

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Instructions

1. Activate the Instant Pot’s sauté function and warm the olive oil, creating a sizzling surface for meat caramelization.
2. Methodically brown beef chunks in multiple batches, ensuring each piece develops a rich, golden crust, then transfer to a separate plate.
3. Introduce diced onions and minced garlic into the pot, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant, then incorporate tomato paste to deepen the flavor profile.
4. Consolidate beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf into the pot, creating a robust liquid foundation.
5. Return browned beef to the pot and layer in chunky carrots and quartered potatoes, distributing ingredients evenly.
6. Secure the Instant Pot lid, program to high-pressure cooking mode, and set the timer for 35 minutes to tenderize meat and meld flavors.
7. Once cooking completes, allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes to permit continued gentle cooking.
8. Swiftly release remaining pressure and assess stew consistency, whisking cornstarch with water if a thicker texture is desired.
9. Activate sauté mode briefly to integrate cornstarch mixture and achieve preferred viscosity.
10. Elevate final flavor with salt and freshly ground pepper, remove bay leaf, and serve steaming hot.

Notes

• Enhance browning by patting beef dry before sautéing to achieve a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in deep flavor.
• Prevent tough meat by choosing chuck roast or stew meat with marbling, which becomes tender during pressure cooking.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting cornstarch with arrowroot powder or using alternative thickening methods like mashed potatoes.
• Boost nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like parsnips, celery, or green peas during the last few minutes of cooking for varied textures and nutrients.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Pressure Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg