Hearty and robust Beef Stew in an instant pot! This is a stick to your ribs kind of deliciousness.
There is nothing more satisfying then putting a yummy home-cooked meal on the table in minutes, that tastes like it took hours. Quick and easy for your busy weeknights. For other tasty and easy meals check out Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff, Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore, and Instant Pot Spaghetti.
Stew in the Instant Pot – So Easy!
I love a good soup or stew, but they usually take all day. What if you could get the rich flavor of simmering all day, but in minutes! Insert instant pot wonder.
The Instant Pot has easily become a staple, nay necessary tool in our kitchen. We use it for everything from side dishes, to main entrees to desserts and everything in between. It’s a miracle worker that can bring this flavorful stew to your table in half the time.
We love a good stew in any season, but especially when the mornings and nights are still crisp. This tasty bowl-full will quickly become a family favorite!
Prepping
Best beef for stew? You should get a piece of boneless beef chuck or boneless chuck roast and trim it and cut it how you would prefer, because using pre-cut pieces of meat can give you odd textures. Basically pick a tougher cut of meat because after cooking, the meat will be so soft that it will fall apart.
What kind of potatoes? Basically what ever you have on hand: Yukon gold potatoes, large Russet potatoes, or Dutch yellow potatoes are all good choices
Best veggies for stew? You definitely need to use potatoes and carrots to get the real stew taste. You can also use celery or frozen peas if you want.
- How to cute vegetables:
- Definitely use larger cuts of carrots so that they don’t turn to mush. You can use larger baby carrots, or take a normal carrot and cut them into large chunks.
- A good tip is to cut the vegetables to the same size as the meat chunks.
How to Make Beef Stew in Instant Pot
Follow these easy steps to make stew in the pressure cooker
- Select SAUTE mode on the Instant Pot.
- Add oil. Once hot, add beef (you may need to do two batches) and let it brown on all sides. Transfer to a plate.
- Saute onion and garlic in the pot for 1 minute.
- Add carrots, potatoes, tomato paste, and herbs. Stir and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in broth, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce. Scrape the bottom loosen any browned bits that formed while cooking the beef. Add the beef back to the pot.
- Close lid and lock. Makes sure the valve is switched to sealing.
- Select MANUAL mode (high pressure) for 28 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then switch the valve to venting. Once the pressure valve has dropped, carefully open the lid.
- Select SAUTE mode. Add peas.
- Whisk together cornstarch and cold water in small bowl or cup
- Once the mixture in the Instant Pot is simmering, add slurry
- Stir and allow the mixture to thicken, about 2 minutes.
- Turn Instant Pot off. Season to taste.
It’s that easy!! Serve with freshly chopped parsley, if desired.
Recipe FAQ
Do you need cornstarch? Cornstarch would be used to create a slurry to thicken the broth to turn it into gravy. Sometimes the leftover broth can be thickened with a combination of cornstarch and water. Don’t add cornstarch straight to the stew because it won’t thicken correctly. It will clump up and not be correctly thickened.
How do you tenderize stew meat in instant pot? You don’t need to tenderize the stew meat because the process of cooking softens the beef.
Slow Cooker Directions: You can cook on low for 7-8 or on high for 3-4 hours after browning the beef.
Storing + Side Ideas
You can STORE this in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container and reheat it in the microwave.
You can FREEZE beef stew in either plastic bags or in a tupperware sort of container. Just make sure to allow about a ½ inch of space for expansion in the freezing process. You can keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To REHEAT frozen stew I would suggest letting it thaw in the fridge overnight and then warming it in a pot on the stove.
What should I serve with beef stew?
- Stew is the perfect entree to serve with a crusty bread, such as our garlic parmesan artisan bread.
- Veggies or salads are also great sides for stew, such as our cranberry apple pecan kale salad
For more soup recipes, check out:
Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. vegetable or avocado oil
- 2-3 lbs. beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes, generously seasoned with salt and pepper
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 3 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 tsp. Herbes de Provence
- 1 c. beef broth
- 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 tbsp. cold water
- 1/2 c. frozen peas, thawed while stew cooks
Instructions
- Select SAUTE mode on the Instant Pot. Add the oil. Once hot, add the beef (you may need to do two batches) and let it brown on all sides. Transfer to a plate.
- Add the onion and garlic and saute in the pot for 1 minute. Add carrots, potatoes, tomato paste, and herbs. Stir and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in broth, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce. Scrape the bottom loosen any browned bits that formed while cooking the beef. Add the beef back into the pot.
- Close lid and lock. Makes sure the valve is switched to sealing.
- Select MANUAL mode (high pressure) for 28 minutes. Once the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then switch the valve to venting. Once the pressure valve has dropped, carefully open the lid.
- Select SAUTE mode. Add the peas. Whisk together cornstarch and cold water, once the mixture in the Instant Pot is simmering, add the slurry. Stir and allow the mixture to thicken, about 2 minutes.
- Turn Instant Pot off. Season to taste. Serve with freshly chopped parsley, if desired.
When do you add back in the beef? And the vegetables aren’t mushy?
Hi Anne, we have updated the recipe with when to add back the beef. Thanks for letting us know. And, the vegetables are tender, but not mushy.
My favorite stew!! Why have I not tried it in the instant pot before?! It comes together in a fraction of the time!
This Beef Stew is delicious! So tender! I am adding this to my favorites!