This Instant Pot Beef Stew is a warm, hearty dish that cooks up quickly! Tender beef, carrots, and potatoes combine with a rich broth for a real comfort meal.
You know, I love how the Instant Pot does all the hard work. Just toss in your ingredients, and poof! A delicious stew that’s ready in no time. Perfect for busy days! 😊
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Beef Stew Meat: Chuck roast is a great choice for tender stew. If you want a leaner option, use sirloin. You can also use cubed brisket for a different flavor.
Red Wine: If you’re not into wine, just replace it with more beef broth. Using red wine adds depth, but it’s not necessary for a delicious stew!
Potatoes: Baby potatoes are perfect, but you can substitute with Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes. If you’re looking for fewer carbs, try using cauliflower instead.
Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like parsnips or green beans. They add more flavor and color to the dish!
How Do You Get the Beef to Be Extra Tender?
Browning the beef is a crucial step. It locks in flavor and enhances the broth’s taste. Here’s how to do it right:
- Make sure not to overcrowd the pot. This helps achieve a nice sear. Brown in batches if needed!
- Use medium-high heat and let the beef sit without moving it for a few minutes to get that golden crust.
Another tip is to let it cook for the full 25 minutes in the Instant Pot. The pressure cooking makes the beef fork-tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
Instant Pot Beef Stew
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Stew:
- 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine (optional; can replace with more broth)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary or 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 3 cups baby potatoes (or quartered large potatoes)
- 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (for thickening)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This hearty Instant Pot Beef Stew takes about 15 minutes to prepare and around 35 minutes to cook, including pressure building and releasing. So, in just under an hour, you’ll have a delicious, homemade stew that’s perfect for any occasion!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Browning the Beef:
First, turn your Instant Pot to sauté mode and let it heat up with the olive oil. Add the beef cubes in batches, browning them on all sides for about 5 minutes. This step is key for flavor, so remove the beef after browning and set it aside!
2. Sautéing the Onions and Garlic:
In the same pot, toss in the chopped onion and cook until it’s softened, about 2-3 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. The aromas will start to fill your kitchen!
3. Adding Flavor:
Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for an additional minute. If you’re using red wine, pour it in now. Scrape up those yummy browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a spatula. This adds so much flavor!
4. Combining the Ingredients:
Return the browned beef to the pot and add in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir to mix everything together.
5. Pressure Cooking the Beef:
Lock the Instant Pot lid into place and set it to pressure cook on high for 25 minutes. This is where the magic happens!
6. Quick Release and Adding Vegetables:
Once the cooking time is done, carefully perform a quick release of the pressure. Open the lid and add in the baby potatoes and carrot chunks. Lock the lid again!
7. Cooking the Vegetables:
Pressure cook on high for another 8-10 minutes until the potatoes and carrots are nice and tender.
8. Thicken the Stew:
After the cooking time, open the lid and stir in the frozen peas. Next, mix the cornstarch slurry and slowly add it to the stew while stirring to thicken the sauce. Set the Instant Pot to sauté for just a few minutes until it thickens to your liking.
9. Final Touches:
Taste your stew and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper as needed.
10. Serve and Enjoy:
Serve your delicious stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley. It pairs wonderfully with toasted bread or rolls. Enjoy every bite!
Can I Use Different Cuts of Beef for This Stew?
Absolutely! While stew meat is ideal, chuck roast or even brisket can work well too. Just make sure to cut them into 1-inch cubes for even cooking!
How Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
To make this stew gluten-free, skip the Worcestershire sauce or look for a gluten-free version. You can also replace the cornstarch with arrowroot powder for thickening.
What Should I Do if My Stew Is Too Thin?
If your stew is thinner than you’d like, just mix a little more cornstarch with cold water and add it slowly while the stew is on sauté mode until it reaches your desired thickness.
How to Store Leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the stew for up to 3 months—let it cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. Just reheat thoroughly when you’re ready to enjoy it again!
