This Instant Pot Beef Stew is a quick and easy way to enjoy a hearty, comforting meal. With tender beef, flavorful vegetables, and a rich broth, it’s a perfect one-pot dish that’s packed with taste. Using the Instant Pot, you can cook it in a fraction of the time, making it an ideal choice for busy days.
Key Benefits of Instant Pot Beef Stew
This Instant Pot Beef Stew offers numerous benefits that make it an irresistible option for a satisfying meal. Here’s why it stands out:
Quick and Easy: One of the main advantages of using the Instant Pot is the speed. This stew, which traditionally takes hours to cook, is ready in under 90 minutes, including prep time. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving comfort food without the wait.
Tender Beef Every Time: The Instant Pot pressure cooks the beef to perfection, ensuring it’s incredibly tender. No more chewy or tough meat! The beef absorbs all the rich flavors from the broth and seasonings, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
One-Pot Meal: Less mess, less cleanup. This hearty stew is made all in one pot, making it not only easy to prepare but also quick to clean up afterward. Just throw everything in, set the pressure, and let the Instant Pot do the hard work for you.
Packed with Flavor: With tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a savory broth, each bite is bursting with flavor. The Instant Pot locks in all the seasonings, creating a deliciously rich taste that will have you coming back for seconds.
Nutritionally Balanced: This stew is filled with wholesome ingredients like carrots, potatoes, onions, and beef, offering a good balance of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. It’s the perfect way to indulge in a comforting and nutritious meal.
Ingredients for Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Beef stew meat (2 pounds)
- Carrots (3 medium, sliced)
- Potatoes (4 medium, diced)
- Onion (1 large, chopped)
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
- Beef broth (4 cups)
- Tomato paste (2 tablespoons)
- Dried thyme (1 tablespoon)
- Dried rosemary (1 tablespoon)
- Bay leaves (2)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions for Instant Pot Beef Stew
Making this Instant Pot Beef Stew is incredibly simple and quick. Follow these easy steps, and you’ll have a delicious, hearty meal ready in no time!
Sauté the Beef
Start by setting your Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode. Add a splash of oil to the pot and let it heat up. Once hot, add the beef stew meat in batches, browning each side for about 3-4 minutes. Browning the beef enhances the flavor and creates a rich base for the stew. After each batch, remove the beef and set it aside.
Sauté the Aromatics
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the same pot and sauté for 2-3 minutes or until the onions are translucent and fragrant. This step helps build the stew’s savory foundation.
Deglaze the Pot
With the sauté function still on, pour in a little bit of beef broth (about 1/2 cup) and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. These bits are packed with flavor, so make sure to get them all!
Add the Remaining Ingredients
Now, it’s time to add the rest of your ingredients to the pot. Place the browned beef back in, followed by the carrots, potatoes, tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Add the remaining beef broth and stir everything well to combine.
Pressure Cook the Stew
Close the Instant Pot lid and make sure the valve is set to “Sealing.” Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” setting, and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes before switching the valve to “Venting” to release any remaining pressure.
Finish and Serve
Open the lid and discard the bay leaves. Stir the stew to combine and taste for seasoning, adjusting salt and pepper if needed. Serve your rich, flavorful beef stew with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or rice for a complete meal.
Pro Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Beef Stew
To make your Instant Pot Beef Stew even more amazing, here are some helpful tips that will ensure your dish turns out perfectly every time:
Brown the Beef for Extra Flavor
While it’s an optional step, browning the beef before pressure cooking adds a rich, caramelized flavor to your stew. Take the time to brown each piece of beef on all sides—it makes a noticeable difference in taste.
Don’t Skip Deglazing the Pot
After browning the beef and sautéing the aromatics, deglazing the pot is crucial. The browned bits left on the bottom of the pot are packed with flavor. Scraping these up with a bit of beef broth ensures that all those delicious flavors are incorporated into the stew.
Use High-Quality Broth
The beef broth is the base of your stew’s flavor. Choose a high-quality or homemade broth to really elevate the taste. If you’re using store-bought, opt for a low-sodium version so you can control the seasoning.
Let the Instant Pot Naturally Release Pressure
After cooking, let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for at least 10 minutes. This ensures the meat stays tender and juicy and the flavors have a chance to meld together.
Adjust Seasoning to Taste
After the stew is done cooking, taste it and adjust the seasoning as needed. If it needs a little more depth, add a pinch of salt, pepper, or even a dash of Worcestershire sauce for extra umami.
Make It Your Own with Additional Veggies
While this recipe is packed with classic stew vegetables, feel free to add others like celery, parsnips, or peas. Just chop them to the right size and add them to the pot at the same time as the potatoes and carrots.
Variations of Instant Pot Beef Stew
One of the best things about Instant Pot Beef Stew is its versatility. You can customize it to suit your tastes, dietary needs, or whatever you have on hand.
Add More Veggies
Feel free to get creative with the vegetables! You can add turnips, parsnips, or sweet potatoes for a unique twist. Just chop them to a similar size as the other vegetables and add them along with the carrots and potatoes.
Make It Spicy
If you like a bit of heat, add some chopped jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a dash of hot sauce. This adds a nice kick to the stew while still keeping the comforting flavors intact.
Use Different Cuts of Beef
While beef stew meat is the most common choice, you can use other cuts like brisket or round. These cuts are perfect for stews and will give you different textures and flavors. Make sure to adjust the cooking time if required.
Go for a Low-Carb Version
For a low-carb option, swap the potatoes with cauliflower florets. Cauliflower absorbs the flavors just like potatoes and provides a similar texture when cooked in the stew. You can also add zucchini or mushrooms for extra bulk.
Serving Suggestions for Instant Pot Beef Stew
Now that your Instant Pot Beef Stew is ready, it’s time to think about how to serve it. Here are some delicious and simple ideas to complement this hearty dish:
With Crusty Bread
A classic pairing for beef stew is a slice of warm, crusty bread. Use it to soak up the rich, flavorful broth. A rustic sourdough or French baguette works perfectly to complement the stew.
Over Mashed Potatoes
For an extra indulgent meal, serve the stew over creamy mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes will absorb the stew’s savory juices, making each bite even more comforting.
With Rice
If you prefer rice, it’s a great choice to serve with beef stew. Choose white or brown rice or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. The rice will add a nice texture and serve as a base for the stew.
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FAQs for Instant Pot Beef Stew
To help you make the most of your Instant Pot Beef Stew, here are some frequently asked questions that will guide you through any doubts or concerns you may have:
Is stew better in the slow cooker or Instant Pot?
Both methods have their merits, but the Instant Pot has the advantage of speed. It can cook a tender, flavorful beef stew in a fraction of the time it takes in a slow cooker. While the slow cooker allows the flavors to develop slowly over hours, the Instant Pot does it quickly without compromising tenderness or flavor.
Can you overcook stew in an Instant Pot?
Yes, overcooking is possible in the Instant Pot, especially if you leave it on the “keep warm” setting for too long. To avoid this, stick to the recommended cooking time and allow for a natural pressure release to ensure your beef stays tender. Overcooking can result in dry beef and mushy vegetables, so it’s best to time it carefully.
Why is my beef dry in a stew?
Dry beef in a stew usually happens when the meat is overcooked or if you use a lean cut of beef. For a tender stew, it’s best to use cuts like chuck roast or brisket, which are higher in fat and break down during cooking to create a juicy and tender texture. Also, make sure to follow the recommended cooking time for your Instant Pot to prevent overcooking.