Hearty Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe for Cozy Weeknights

My go-to comfort food takes beef stew to another level with an instant pot magic.

Pressure cooking transforms tough meat into tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites that make everyone smile.

Rich aromas will fill your kitchen within minutes of starting this hearty dish.

Chunky vegetables and savory broth create a complete meal in one pot.

Minimal prep work means you can enjoy a restaurant-quality dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

Simple ingredients combine to create something extraordinary that feels like a warm hug.

Instant Pot Beef Stew Overview

• Speed Up Dinner Prep: Instant Pot transforms traditional slow-cooking beef stew into a quick, hassle-free meal that delivers rich, deep flavors in a fraction of the time.
• Minimal Cleanup Magic: One-pot cooking means fewer dishes to wash, making this recipe perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without extensive kitchen cleanup.
• Customizable Comfort Food: Easily adapt the stew by swapping vegetables, adjusting spices, or adding your favorite herbs to create a personalized, hearty dish that suits your taste preferences.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Packed with tender beef, colorful vegetables, and robust seasonings, this stew appeals to both kids and adults, making it an ideal meal for family dinners or gatherings.

Instant Pot Beef Stew Ingredients

• Beef: A hearty and flavorful meat that forms the core of this comforting stew.

• Onion, Garlic: These classic ingredients provide a deep, rich base flavor for the stew.
• Thyme, Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Aromatic herbs and spices that enhance the overall taste profile.
• Tomato Paste: Adds depth and a slight tangy richness to the dish.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a complex, savory umami flavor to the stew.

• Carrots, Potatoes: Tender vegetables that add nutrition and heartiness to the stew.
• Bay Leaves: Provides a subtle herbal background note to the overall flavor.
• Beef Broth: Creates a rich, flavorful liquid base for the stew.
• Olive Oil: Used for browning the meat and sautéing vegetables.

• Cornstarch, Water: A simple mixture that helps to create a thick, luscious texture for the stew.

Instant Pot Beef Stew Preparation

Step 1: Sizzle and Brown Beef

Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot using saute mode.

Work in batches to brown the beef pieces until they develop a rich, golden crust.

Transfer the browned beef to a separate plate.

Step 2: Awaken Aromatic Onions and Garlic

Toss chopped onions and minced garlic into the pot.

Saute until they become soft and translucent, releasing their delightful fragrance.

Step 3: Build Flavor Foundation

• Tomato paste
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dried thyme
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir and cook until the ingredients meld together beautifully.

Step 4: Combine Hearty Ingredients

Return the browned beef to the Instant Pot.

• Chopped carrots
• Diced potatoes
• Bay leaves
• Beef broth

Mix everything thoroughly to ensure even distribution.

Step 5: Pressure Cook to Perfection

Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing position.

Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes, allowing the ingredients to transform into a tender, flavorful stew.

Step 6: Release and Rest

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

Then perform a quick release to remove any remaining pressure.

Step 7: Create Creamy Texture

Optional thickening method: Whisk cornstarch with water and gently stir into the stew.

Use saute mode for 2 minutes to help thicken the sauce.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming beef stew into bowls.

Pair with crusty bread, rice, or your favorite side dish for a comforting meal.

Tips for Instant Pot Beef Stew

• Avoid overcrowding the pot to ensure each piece develops a rich, golden-brown crust for maximum flavor development.
• Use just enough beef broth to cover ingredients, preventing a watery stew and maintaining a thick, hearty consistency.
• Mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to prevent lumps and create a smooth, glossy sauce that clings to the meat and vegetables.
• Add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar during sautéing to bring out deeper, more complex taste notes in the stew.
• Allow the stew to sit for 5-10 minutes after cooking to let flavors meld and the sauce naturally thicken before serving.

Variations on Instant Pot Beef Stew

• Vegetarian Stew Swap: Replace beef with hearty mushrooms, lentils, or jackfruit for a plant-based protein alternative that maintains rich, savory flavors.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and substitute cornstarch with arrowroot powder to ensure a safe meal for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap potatoes with cauliflower or turnips and reduce carrots to create a lower-carbohydrate version that still delivers robust taste and texture.
• Mediterranean Spin: Add kalamata olives, swap thyme for rosemary, and include diced bell peppers to create a Mediterranean-inspired stew with bright, fresh undertones.

Serving Ideas for Instant Pot Beef Stew

• Rustic Bread Companion: Slice a crusty baguette or sourdough bread to soak up the rich, flavorful broth from the beef stew.
• Hearty Green Sidekick: Pair with a simple mixed green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the stew's richness.
• Creamy Comfort Enhancer: Serve over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles for an extra comforting meal.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the robust beef flavors with a glass of full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.

Storage Guidelines for Instant Pot Beef Stew

• Transfer cooled stew to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Seal tightly to prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Pour stew into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place stew in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• Pour stew into a saucepan, add a splash of beef broth to prevent drying. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of meat for this stew?

Yes, you can substitute beef with chuck roast, stew meat, or even lamb for a similar hearty result.

• Is it necessary to brown the meat before pressure cooking?

Browning adds depth of flavor and helps seal in the meat’s juices, creating a more rich and complex taste profile.

• How can I make the stew less watery?

Use cornstarch slurry as suggested in the recipe, or let it simmer on saute mode a bit longer to reduce and thicken the liquid naturally.

• Can I prepare this stew in a slow cooker instead of an Instant Pot?

Absolutely! Follow the same ingredient steps but cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until meat is tender.

Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe

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4.5 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Instant Pot Beef Stew brings robust flavors of tender meat and rich vegetables straight from grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Comfort meets convenience in this simple one-pot meal that promises warmth and satisfaction with each delicious spoonful you savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1.5 pounds beef stew meat

Vegetables:

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

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon 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 to a shimmer. Methodically brown the beef chunks in multiple batches, ensuring a deep golden crust, then transfer to a separate plate.
2. Introduce diced onions and minced garlic into the pot, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Incorporate tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, paprika, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper, stirring to create a rich, aromatic base.
4. Carefully return the browned beef to the pot, nestling in chunky carrots, quartered potatoes, and aromatic bay leaves. Pour beef broth over the ingredients to create a robust liquid foundation.
5. Secure the Instant Pot lid, positioning the valve to sealing position. Pressure cook on high for 35 minutes to tenderize the meat and meld flavors.
6. After cooking completes, allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, followed by a quick manual release to prevent overcooking.
7. For a luxuriously thick consistency, whisk cornstarch with cold water, then gently fold into the stew. Activate sauté mode for 2 minutes, stirring until the liquid reaches a desirable viscosity.
8. Ladle the hearty stew into warm bowls, ready to be enjoyed with crusty bread or your preferred accompaniment.

Notes

• Keep meat pieces uniform in size for even cooking, ensuring tender and consistent texture throughout the stew.
• Brown meat in small batches to develop deep, rich caramelized flavors and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• Use a robust beef cut like chuck roast or bottom round for maximum tenderness and flavor absorption.
• Swap cornstarch with arrowroot for gluten-free thickening or skip entirely for a lighter, broth-based stew.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 47 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 305 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg