Instant Pot Beef Stew

So, if you’re like me and waited until the last minute for dinner, give this recipe a try! This easy pressure cooker beef stew recipe is hearty and full of tender beef, potatoes and vegetables. It tastes like it has been cooking all day, but it actually is ready in  minutes!

These is one of my absolute favorite easy recipes made in the instant pot. If you love making stew as much as I do try these recipes Irish Beef Stew Recipe, Crock Pot Mexican Beef Stew, Slow Cooker Steak and Potatoes Beef Stew Recipe, Ground Beef Stew, Sweet Potato Stew, Instant Pot Chicken Stew Recipe and Hungarian Goulash.

Why We Love This Recipe 

My instant pot has been a game changer for my family.  I can get the same tenderness from a crock pot but without having to cook it all day.  Didn’t take the meat out of the freezer? No worries! I have used thawed out meat and frozen meat in the instant pot and they both cook super fast.

Now, if you still don’t have an instant pot, I have a Quick & Easy Crock pot Beef Stew Recipe you will love. It turns out just as delicious and the meat is so tender. This beef stew recipe is the ultimate comfort food and has a ton of flavor.

Ingredients

• Stew Meat – You can use any cut of meat
• Carrots – Diced into bite-sized pieces
• Russet Potatoes – Use potato of your choice
• Onion – If you are out, Best Onion Substitute
• Crushed Tomatoes – We also like to add in tomato paste for thicker tomato base
• Worcestershire Sauce – See The Best Worcestershire Sauce Substitutes if you are out
• Water – You can use low-sodium beef broth or add a beef bouillon cube

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Additions and Variations

We love making beef stew as your can easily change the ingredients or add in fresh herbs to what you prefer. Try these other variations.

• Garlic Cloves
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Garlic Powder
• Celery
• Slice Mushrooms
• Onion Powder
• Red Wine – Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet are great options

How to Make Instant Pot Beef Stew

Step 1 – First in an Instant pot or electric pressure cooker toss the stew meat and the chunks of potatoes on the bottom.

Step 2 – Then place the onions and carrots on top of the beef and potatoes.

Step 4 – Once all the ingredients have been added to the pressure cooker, place the lid on the instant pot and turn the valve on the top to the sealing position. Set the time for 20 minutes on high pressure. Note: If your meat is frozen, then cook it on high pressure for 25 minutes.

Step 5 – Allow the meal to cook in the instant and once finished, do a quick release by manually move the lid value from the sealing position to the venting position.

• Step 6 – I recommend a quick release on this recipe so that the potatoes and the vegetables don’t become too soft.  If you use a natural release instead, the carrots and potatoes will likely be too soft after the cook time.
• Step 7 – Finally remove the bay leaf and then allow the meal to sit for a a few minutes so that the sauce thickens. Stir then serve immediately in a bowl while it’s still warm.
• Step 8 – With the cooking time and the time for the instant pot to come to pressure, this delicious beef stew is ready under 35 minutes!

Recipe Tips

• Instant Pot Recommendation – Amazon has several instant pots here and I absolutely love mine. I have the larger one and it’s perfect! You can also check out the electric pressure cookers too.
• Cutting Vegetables – Make sure that you dice the carrots and the potatoes into large pieces and place in a large bowl. If they’re diced too small, they will cook too quickly in the instant pot.
• Stew Consistency – After the cook time, if the beef stew is too watery, switch the instant pot the sauté setting and allow for the excess liquid to cook off until the stew is the consistency that you prefer. You can even make a cornstarch slurry by combining 2 tablespoon of flour or cornstarch with water for a thicker consistency.

Serving Suggestions

I love serving this pressure cooker beef stew recipe with my easy homemade corn bread recipe.  This recipe is easy to make and perfect with this beef stew recipe.

Plus here are some of my other favorite corn bread recipes:

• Sweet Honey Corn Bread Recipe
• Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread
• Easy Cornbread Muffins
• Gluten Free Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Recipe

If cornbread is not your thing, you can also serve these with delicious homemade rolls or this easy, delicious crusty bread recipe.