The Coziest Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe for Chilly Evenings

Crafting a hearty beef stew in an instant pot delivers comfort right to your table.

Tender chunks of meat melt effortlessly between spoonfuls of rich, savory broth.

Chunky vegetables add robust flavors that complement the beef’s deep, earthy notes.

Cold winter nights call for something warm and satisfying like this classic dish.

Pressure cooking works magic, tenderizing meat while concentrating incredible taste profiles in minutes.

Each carefully selected ingredient promises a delightful culinary experience that feels like a warm embrace.

Let this recipe become your new go-to meal for nourishing and delicious comfort food.

Why Instant Pot Beef Stew Is a Hearty Meal

• Speed Up Meal Prep: Drastically reduce cooking time compared to traditional stovetop or oven methods, making this beef stew a perfect solution for busy weeknights.
• Hands-Off Cooking Magic: Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting, allowing you to walk away while it transforms tough meat into tender, mouthwatering bites without constant monitoring.
• Nutrition-Packed One-Pot Wonder: Combine hearty beef, vibrant vegetables, and rich seasonings in a single pot, creating a balanced meal that delivers maximum flavor and nutrients with minimal cleanup.
• Comfort Food Champion: Deliver a classic, soul-warming stew that brings families together, perfect for chilly evenings or when you crave a satisfying, home-cooked meal that feels like a warm hug.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Beef Stew

• Beef Stew Meat: A tender and flavorful cut perfect for slow-cooking stews that becomes melt-in-your-mouth delicious when pressure cooked.

• Onion, Carrots, Potatoes: A classic trio of vegetables that adds depth, sweetness, and hearty texture to the beef stew.

• Beef Broth: A rich and savory liquid that helps tenderize the meat and create a delicious stew base.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds a subtle tangy flavor and helps create a robust sauce.
• Garlic Powder, Thyme, Salt, Pepper: A simple blend of herbs and spices that enhances the overall flavor profile of the stew.

How to Cook Instant Pot Beef Stew

Step 1: Sizzle and Brown the Beef

Heat up your Instant Pot and select the sauté mode. Carefully place the beef chunks into the pot, allowing them to develop a rich, golden-brown crust. This step locks in the incredible flavors and creates a delicious base for your hearty stew.

Step 2: Create a Veggie Foundation

Toss in the chopped onions, sliced carrots, and cubed potatoes. These colorful vegetables will add depth and nutrition to your meal, creating a rustic and comforting dish that feels like a warm hug.

Step 3: Pour in the Liquid Goodness

Slowly add the beef broth and diced tomatoes, letting the liquid create a delectable base for your stew. The combination will start to build layers of mouthwatering flavor that will make everyone at the table excited.

Step 4: Sprinkle in the Magical Seasonings

Shake in the garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. These aromatic spices will transform your stew from good to absolutely phenomenal, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

Step 5: Pressure Cook to Perfection

Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the pressure to high. Let the magic happen for 35 minutes, allowing the beef to become incredibly tender and the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 6: Release and Serve

Quickly release the pressure and get ready to enjoy your mouthwatering creation. Ladle the steaming stew into bowls and watch as everyone’s eyes light up with anticipation.

Pro Tips for Instant Pot Beef Stew

• Pat meat dry before browning to ensure a perfect golden crust and enhance flavor development.
• Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for tender, melt-in-your-mouth results.
• Adjust liquid quantities if using frozen vegetables to prevent watery consistency.
• Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes after cooking to keep meat extra tender and juicy.
• Cut vegetables into uniform sizes to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the stew.

Variations on Instant Pot Beef Stew

• Rustic Mediterranean Beef Stew: Replace thyme with rosemary and oregano, add kalamata olives and red wine for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Beef Stew: Incorporate chili powder, cumin, and diced green chilies. Top with fresh cilantro and serve with cornbread for a zesty southwestern touch.
• Hearty Root Vegetable Beef Stew: Include parsnips, turnips, and celery root alongside traditional vegetables for a richer, more complex vegetable blend.
• Asian-Inspired Beef Stew: Mix in soy sauce, ginger, and star anise. Garnish with green onions and serve over steamed jasmine rice for an exotic variation.

Suggested Pairings for Instant Pot Beef Stew

• Savor Red Wine Harmony: Pair this hearty beef stew with a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, matching the rich meat flavors and complementing the deep, robust taste of the dish.
• Enhance with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside a warm, rustic sourdough or French baguette to soak up the delicious broth and add a delightful textural contrast to the tender beef and vegetables.
• Match with Fresh Green Salad: Create a balanced meal by adding a crisp mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the warm, comforting stew.
• Complement with Creamy Side: Prepare a smooth parmesan polenta or buttery mashed potatoes to elevate the meal and provide an extra layer of comfort and richness.

Storage Guidelines for Instant Pot Beef Stew

• Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, ensuring the meat stays tender and vegetables retain their flavor.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Place stew in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and prevent cold spots.
• Pour stew into a saucepan, add a splash of beef broth to restore moisture.

FAQs for Instant Pot Beef Stew

• What type of meat works best for this stew?

Chuck roast or beef stew meat are ideal because they become tender and flavorful when pressure cooked, breaking down easily in the Instant Pot.

• Can I make this recipe without an Instant Pot?

Yes, you can adapt this to a slow cooker or Dutch oven. For slow cooker, cook on low for 7-8 hours. For Dutch oven, braise in the oven at 325°F for about 2-3 hours until meat is tender.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The basic recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure your beef broth is certified gluten-free and check that all seasonings do not contain hidden gluten additives.

Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Instant Pot Beef Stew delivers robust flavors from tender chunks of meat simmered with rich vegetables and aromatic herbs. Comforting and simple, this one-pot wonder lets you savor a classic meal without hours of preparation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) beef stew meat, cubed

Vegetables:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 1 can diced tomatoes

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) beef broth
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Heat Instant Pot on sauté mode and thoroughly caramelize beef cubes until golden brown, developing rich flavor complexity.
2. Transfer browned meat to one side of pot and quickly sear remaining surfaces to lock in robust meaty essence.
3. Incorporate chopped onions, slicing them into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and balanced texture.
4. Layer diced carrots and chunky potato segments around meat, creating a colorful vegetable foundation.
5. Gently cascade beef broth and diced tomatoes over the meat and vegetable mixture, ensuring complete ingredient coverage.
6. Sprinkle garlic powder, dried thyme, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper across the surface, distributing seasonings evenly.
7. Secure Instant Pot lid, engaging pressure valve and selecting high-pressure setting for precisely 35 minutes.
8. Once cooking cycle completes, immediately release pressure using quick-release method to prevent overcooking.
9. Allow stew to rest momentarily, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken.
10. Ladle steaming hot stew into deep serving bowls, ensuring each portion contains meat, vegetables, and rich broth.

Notes

• Perfectly brown the beef by patting it dry before sautéing, ensuring a deep caramelized flavor that locks in moisture and creates a rich, golden crust.
• Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for maximum tenderness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that develops during pressure cooking.
• Cut vegetables into uniform chunks to guarantee even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
• Swap regular potatoes with sweet potatoes or cauliflower for a low-carb version that still provides hearty, satisfying bulk to the stew.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg