Instant Pot Beef Stew is hearty, flavorful and comforting. This pressure cooker recipe is bursting with veggies and the perfect meal in a pot.
We’ve hit a cold spell here in the south this week. And, there is nothing I crave more than a delicious and comforting meal of beef stew. One of the best things about using the Instant Pot to make beef stew is that the meat gets so tender and flavorful. My husband has a weird sensitivity about meat texture and the Instant Pot is the only way to get the tenderness that he enjoys. He once hated beef stew but now he loves it thanks to the pressure cooker.
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Beef Stew
What kind of beef should I use?
For ease of use I wrote the recipe using beef stew meat. If you prefer a different type of meat you could also try using a beef chuck roast that you cut into stew meat chunks yourself. Sirloin cut into pisces would also work well for this recipe, however I personally find sirloin to be a little on the tough side.
Do I need to sear the meat first?
Yes and no. I think that the meat makes for a deeper flavor from your beef stew and your stew meat. And, you could skip this step if you really don’t want to sear your meat. However you will still need to saute your onions before pressure cooking your stew.
How can I thicken the sauce?
If you like a thicker sauce mix together ¼ cup of water with two tablespoons of cornstarch. This is called a cornstarch slurry. Add your cornstarch slurry to your beef stew while it is still warm and it will thicken your sauce. If you do not notice a thicker sauce right away, you can turn your Instant Pot onto saute mode and allow it to thicken while cooking. However do not leave the saute mode on for long no more than two or three minutes to prevent burning.
What should I serve with my beef stew?
I personally serve my beef stew with a garden salad and a loaf of homemade crusty bread. You could also serve with a side of green vegetables or some rolls. My family is picky about their rolls and breads and if I don’t make homemade roles they only want
Can I add more vegetables to my beef stew?
If you want to beef up your vegetables in your meal you can add frozen green peas, or even frozen green beans. They make a great addition to your Instant Pot stew.
Instant Pot Beef Stew
- beef stew meat
- baby carrots
- potatoes; peeled and diced
- celery; diced
- white onion; diced
- beef broth
- water
- salt
- pepper
- garlic
- bay leaves
- olive oil
How To Make
Place instant pot on saute mode. Add in olive oil, stew beef and onion. Saute until meat is lightly browned on the outside.
Turn off saute mode. Add in carrots, diced celery, and diced potatoes. Pour in beef broth. Pour in water. Add in salt, pepper, garlic, and bay leaves. Stir well.
Place lid on instant pot. Set valve to sealed position. Set high pressure or manual to 40 minutes. Allow your pot to naturally release pressure for 10 to 15 minutes.
Cooking Tips
- Natural pressure release will help keep your meat tender.
- Like your beef stew spicy? Add in ¼ to ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes when cooking.
- I used a 6 quart pressure cooker for this recipe. This recipe will not fit in a 3 quart Instant Pot. You can however use an 8 quart.
- Be sure to deglaze the bottom of your pot well after sauteing to prevent getting a burn notice on your pot.
More Instant Pot Recipes
Pressure Cooker Whole Lemon and Garlic Chicken
Pressure Cooker Cuban Noodle Soup
Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes
Instant Pot Beef Stew
Equipment
- Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 lb beef stew meat
- 16 oz baby carrots
- 3 potatoes peeled and diced
- 2 stalks of celery diced
- 1 white onion diced
- 32 oz beef broth
- 4 cups water
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Place instant pot on saute mode. Add in olive oil, stew beef and onion. Saute until meat is lightly browned on the outside.
- Turn off saute mode. Add in carrots, diced celery, and diced potatoes. Pour in beef broth. Pour in water. Add in salt, pepper, garlic, and bay leaves. Stir well.
- Place lid on instant pot. Set valve to sealed position. Set high pressure or manual to 40 minutes. After the instant pot stops counting release pressure. Serve!