Instant Pot Beef Stew

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This simple Instant Pot Beef Stew is ready in a fraction of the time that it usually takes, thanks to the pressure cooker. Tender pieces of beef and plenty of veggies are cooked and served in thick and luxurious gravy.

Serve this beef stew on a cold day alongside a crusty baguette or homemade Dinner Rolls, plus a big green salad (like this Italian Salad), or Roasted Brussel Sprouts.

Instant pot beef stew in a bowl, warm and hearty, ready to be eaten.

Instant Pot Beef Stew

After years of relishing Sunday beef stews, we’ve found a standout method with the Instant Pot®. Imagine tender beef and flawlessly cooked vegetables in a rich, savory broth. This appliance transforms a traditional slow cooker or stovetop stew into a delicious meal in under two hours.

This isn’t just any beef stew; it’s the epitome of comforting, home-cooked excellence. Get ready for an elevated beef stew experience that’s simply extraordinary!

QUICK TIP

How long to cook beef stew in the instant pot? Instant Pot Beef Stew cooks on high pressure for 40 minutes.

  • Set the pressure cooker to manual and set for 40 minutes
  • Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes.
  • Release the rest of the pressure and carefully open the lid.

Fresh vegetables being added to the instant pot, followed by the seared beef going in, and then everything simmering and cooking together in the pot and then adding peas to complete the dish.

Delicious and hearty beef stew instant pot recipe being stirred before serving.

What Should I Serve With Beef Stew?

The great thing about beef stew is that it’s a full meal all in one bowl. It’s got meat, plenty of veggies, and a rich gravy. So, if you’re going to serve something with beef stew, keep it simple! Here are a few recommendations.

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Instant Pot Beef Stew

4.93 from 13 votes
This delicious Instant Pot Beef Stew is ready in a fraction of the time that stew typically takes thanks to the pressure cooker. Tender pieces of beef and plenty of veggies are cooked and served in a thick and luxurious gravy.
Instant pot beef stew in a bowl, warm and hearty, ready to be eaten.
Print Recipe

Instant Pot Beef Stew

Instant pot beef stew in a bowl, warm and hearty, ready to be eaten.
4.93 from 13 votes
This delicious Instant Pot Beef Stew is ready in a fraction of the time that stew typically takes thanks to the pressure cooker. Tender pieces of beef and plenty of veggies are cooked and served in a thick and luxurious gravy.
Course Dinner, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword beef stew, instant pot beef stew
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 40 minutes
Release Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings 10 servings
Chelsea Lords
Calories 436kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 and 1/2 cups beef stock (or beef broth works), divided (See Note 2)
  • 2 cups thinly sliced carrots, (~3-4 large carrots)
  • 1 and 3/4 cups thinly sliced celery sliced (~4-5 stalks)
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 pound baby yellow (Yukon gold) potatoes, halved (or quartered for large ones)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 and 1/2 to 2 and 3/4 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1-2 inch cubes
  • salt and pepper, to taste (~1 teaspoon each)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 cup yellow onion, diced (~1 small onion)
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic (~2 cloves)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup white all-purpose flour
  • 1 beef bouillon cube (Note 2)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup frozen peas

Instructions

  • INSTANT POT: Place 1 cup of beef broth in the Instant Pot. Next, add the thinly sliced carrots, sliced celery, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, potatoes, and tomato paste.
  • BEEF PREP: Cut the chuck roast into 1-2-inch bite-sized cubes (removing any large, tough pieces of fat or gristle.) Season all sides to taste with salt and pepper (I use about 1 teaspoon of each).
  • BEEF: Heat a large cast iron skillet on high. (See Note 1). Add in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once the pan is hot, add the cubed beef (it should sizzle as soon as it hits the skillet). Sear beef for about 2 minutes on each side. (To get a nice sear, don't stir the beef around. Leave it in one spot and then, using tongs, flip it to the other side after about 2 minutes.) Add the beef pieces to skillet in 2-3 batches so you don't overcrowd the beef and get a nice sear. Remove the beef with a slotted spoon into a bowl. Add 1 more tablespoon oil only if needed. Add the seared beef and any accumulated juices to the Instant Pot.
  • GRAVY: Do not wash out the skillet. Let it slightly cool and then add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Reduce heat to medium low. Add in the diced onions and cook for 3-4 minutes, scraping up the browned bits in the skillet as you stir the onions. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Add in the butter and allow to melt (reduce heat to low as needed, if anything is getting too hot). Add in the flour and, whisking constantly, cook for one minute to get rid of the raw flour taste. Pour in one cup of beef broth gradually, while continuing to whisk. Simmer over low heat, stirring constantly, until a thick paste forms, about 1-3 minutes. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the skillet as well. Gradually add in the remaining 1 and ½ cups of the beef stock and bring to a simmer. Whisk until smooth and thickened, another 2-4 minutes. (If you'd like to use red wine in place of some of the beef broth, see Note 2.)
  • COOK: Pour the gravy into the Instant Pot. Add in the beef bouillon cube (crumble it up and add it in), paprika, dried parsley, sprigs of fresh thyme or dried thyme, bay leaves, and Worcestershire sauce. Give everything a good stir. Make sure the beef is submerged in liquid as much as possible, pressing below other ingredients as needed (this will keep it nice and tender). Pour the remaining 1/2 cup stock in the instant pot. Close and seal the instant pot. Cook on high pressure for 40 minutes, and then allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes (don't touch anything for 15 minutes). Vent to release any remaining pressure; then carefully open the lid. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Stir in the frozen peas.
  • FINISH: Taste the stew and add additional seasonings if needed (salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar go a long way). Serve the stew in bowls and enjoy with crusty bread and fresh herbs if desired.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Skillet: I recommend a cast iron skillet; nonstick skillet is ok. While you can use the sauté function in the Instant Pot, I personally don't for a few reasons. I've found the flavor development is much better and the process is easier in a separate skillet. You also don't risk getting a burn warning if anything is left on the bottom of the instant pot.
Note 2: Red wine: My family doesn't use wine, but plenty of people do, and red wine really adds a layer of complexity to this recipe. You can substitute up to 1 cup of red wine for the beef broth. If you use wine, I suggest using a dry red, rather than a sweet one. Pinot noir, merlot, or sangiovese would be great choices. If you want to get some of the depth of red wine without actually putting alcohol in your recipe, add 2 tablespoons of vinegar (apple cider or red wine vinegar) along with the broth and be impressed with the results!

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10servings | Calories: 436kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 540mg | Potassium: 1075mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 6095IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 5mg

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

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Recipe Rating




25 Comments

      1. 5 stars
        Love your recipes! Your family is so lucky to have you. Our daughter once cried when she had to eat my cooking, but not anymore! Thanks for sharing your genius with those, like me, living ‘culinarily challenged’ lives 😁

  1. This resulted in my instant pot giving me a “burn” message before even 10 minutes of the cooking process had completed. Is it possible the gravy shouldn’t actually be stirred in? Or maybe added last?

    1. That’s so strange, I’ve made this so many times now and never gotten the burn message. I’ve always stirred in the gravy and then added the additional 1/2 cup beef stock on top; did you change anything at all about the recipe?

      1. Well shoot, I’ve truly made it many many times before posting it and never got the burn notice. A couple thoughts; is steam leaking from the sealing ring? (from forgetting to place sealing ring back into the lid, is the sealing ring is damaged, cracked, is food debris left on the sealing ring, or was the lid was not closed properly?) And other thought: was the venting knob turned fully to sealing position? I will leave a note in the recipe to increase stock a bit. I’m very sorry you’ve had problems with the recipe. I tested it so many times I really can’t figure out why the burn notice would be coming 🙁

  2. 5 stars
    I made this and it turned out wonderful, I had to leave out the parsley and celery since I didn’t have any, but otherwise followed exactly and added frozen corn too! Thanks!

  3. Had the same issue with the burning. But I found if you check the release valve to make sure it’s sealed correctly you should be good.

  4. I made this tonight and also received the burn message. I added about 8 ice cubes to the instapot and stirred until melted. This seemed to do the trick!

  5. 5 stars
    I used a good Pinot Noir & got a “Keep That Recipe” from my family! In Hawai’i Pidgin we say: Broke da mouth (delicious)!!!

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