Simple Savory Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe for Cozy Nights

Cold winter nights call for comfort, and this hearty Instant Pot beef stew recipe delivers warmth straight to your soul.

Rich, tender chunks of beef simmer alongside vibrant vegetables in a deeply seasoned broth.

The pressure cooker works magic, breaking down tough meat fibers into melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

Each spoonful promises deep, robust flavors that dance between savory and robust.

Wholesome ingredients merge into a one-Pot meal that satisfies hunger and warms hearts.

Minimal prep and quick cooking make this stew a weeknight champion for busy home cooks.

You’ll want to ladle this comforting stew into bowls and savor every delicious bite.

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Beef Stew

• Instant Pot transforms basic ingredients into a mouthwatering meal with incredible depth of taste through strategic browning and pressure cooking techniques.
• Minimal hands-on preparation allows busy home cooks to create a hearty, restaurant-quality beef stew with minimal kitchen skills and time investment.
• Flexible recipe welcomes personal touches like adjusting seasonings, swapping vegetables, or experimenting with different wine varieties to suit individual preferences.
• Simplifies cooking process by using a single appliance for sautéing, pressure cooking, and creating a rich, complete meal with minimal cleanup required.

Ingredients for Quick Beef Stew in the Instant Pot

• Beef: A hearty and flavorful meat that forms the base of this comforting stew.

• Onions, Garlic: These classic flavor enhancers add depth and richness to the stew.

• Potatoes, Carrots, Celery: A classic vegetable trio that provides texture, nutrition, and heartiness to the dish.

• Beef Broth: Provides a rich, savory base for the stew.
• Red Wine: Adds complexity and depth to the overall flavor profile.
• Worcestershire Sauce, Chili Sauce: Bring tangy and spicy notes to enhance the stew's taste.

• Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning: Essential spices that balance and elevate the stew's flavors.

• Cornstarch: Helps create a luscious, velvety texture for the stew.

• Parsley, Cilantro: Fresh herbs that add a bright, final touch to the dish.

• Cooking Oil: Helps with browning the beef and preventing sticking.

Steps to Make Instant Pot Beef Stew

Step 1: Prep the Protein and Produce

Cut beef into bite-sized chunks.

Chop vegetables including potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions into uniform pieces.

Having ingredients ready streamlines the cooking process and ensures even cooking.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Activate Instant Pot’s sauté mode.

Add oil and carefully place beef pieces into hot surface.

Allow meat to develop a deep golden crust without constant stirring.

This caramelization builds incredible flavor depth for the stew.

Step 3: Create Aromatic Base

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté with browned beef until onions become translucent and fragrant.

The combination creates a robust flavor foundation for the stew.

Step 4: Deglaze and Build Layers

Pour red wine into pot.

Use wooden spoon to scrape browned bits from bottom, releasing concentrated flavor molecules.

This technique prevents burning and adds complex taste dimensions.

Step 5: Combine Stew Components

• Chopped vegetables
• Beef broth
• Worcestershire sauce
• Chili sauce
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Italian seasoning

Stir ingredients thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 6: Pressure Cook

Secure Instant Pot lid.

Set high pressure for 35 minutes.

Allow natural pressure release for 15-20 minutes after cooking cycle completes.

This method ensures meat remains incredibly tender.

Step 7: Create Silky Texture

Mix cornstarch with water to create smooth slurry.

Gently stir into hot stew until desired consistency develops.

This technique transforms liquid into rich, velvety gravy.

Step 8: Serve with Flair

Ladle stew into serving bowls.

Sprinkle freshly chopped herbs like parsley or cilantro on top for bright, fresh finish.

Pair with crusty bread or over fluffy rice for complete meal experience.

Helpful Notes for Perfect Stew in the Instant Pot

• Brown beef thoroughly before pressure cooking to lock in flavors and create a rich, caramelized exterior that enhances overall taste.
• Deglaze the pot with wine to scrape up browned bits, ensuring no burnt residue during pressure cooking and adding depth to the stew's flavor profile.
• Use cornstarch slurry to adjust stew thickness, creating a perfect gravy-like consistency that clings beautifully to meat and vegetables.
• Chop ingredients the day before to streamline cooking process and reduce evening preparation time, making weeknight dinners stress-free.
• Allow natural pressure release to help meat remain ultra-tender, ensuring each bite is moist and packed with robust beef flavor.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat Your Beef Stew

• Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool completely before storing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal securely, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place stew in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Pour stew into a saucepan. Add a splash of beef broth to prevent drying. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated thoroughly. This method helps maintain the stew's original texture and flavor.

What to Serve with Instant Pot Stew

• Pair Robust Red Wine: Select a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah that matches the rich beef flavors, complementing the stew's depth and enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Create Crusty Bread Companions: Serve warm, rustic sourdough or French baguette slices to soak up the delicious stew gravy, providing a perfect textural contrast and additional flavor absorption.
• Highlight Fresh Green Salad: Prepare a crisp mixed green salad with light vinaigrette dressing to cut through the stew's richness, adding a refreshing and bright element to balance the hearty main dish.
• Recommend Herbal Tea Finish: End the meal with a warming chamomile or peppermint tea to aid digestion and provide a soothing conclusion after enjoying the robust beef stew.

Instant Pot Beef Stew – Easy Add-Ons

• Gluten-Free Beef Stew: Replace wheat-based Worcestershire sauce with gluten-free version. Use cornstarch sparingly and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Beef Stew: Swap potatoes with cauliflower or turnips. Reduce carrots and use more low-carb vegetables like zucchini or radishes. Keep protein and seasonings the same.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute beef with firm tofu or plant-based meat alternatives. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. Add mushrooms for extra umami flavor and meaty texture.
• Paleo-Friendly Version: Remove potatoes completely. Use sweet potatoes or butternut squash as replacement. Choose grass-fed beef and ensure all seasonings are pure and unprocessed.

FAQs

• Why should I brown the beef before pressure cooking?

Browning the beef creates a delicious caramelized crust that adds deep, rich flavor to the stew. It helps develop a more complex taste by creating Maillard reaction, which brings out the meat’s natural sugars and proteins.

• Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute beef with lamb, pork shoulder, or chuck roast. Just ensure the meat is cut into similar-sized cubes and has enough fat content to stay tender during pressure cooking.

• Is it necessary to use red wine in the recipe?

While red wine adds depth and complexity to the stew, you can replace it with beef broth or beef stock if you prefer. The wine helps deglaze the pot and brings a subtle richness to the overall flavor.

• How can I make this stew more spicy?

To add heat, you can include a diced jalapeño when sautéing the onions, increase the amount of chili sauce, or add a pinch of red pepper flakes during the seasoning step. Adjust according to your spice tolerance.

Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe

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4.5 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Instant Pot Beef Stew brings robust flavors and tender meat to your dinner table with minimal effort. Rich beef chunks mingle with aromatic vegetables, creating a comforting meal you’ll savor down to the last spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 2 pounds stew meat or chuck roast (cut into 1-inch pieces)

Vegetables:

• 2 medium russet potatoes (cut into 1-inch pieces)
• 1/2 large onion (chopped)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 stalks celery (chopped)
• 2 cups carrots (chopped)

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup chili sauce (tomato-based like Heinz)
• 2 1/2 cups beef broth (low-sodium recommended)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro (chopped)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

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Instructions

1. Prepare meat and vegetables by cutting beef into uniform cubes and chopping potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
2. Activate Instant Pot’s sauté function at high temperature and add oil, then carefully brown beef pieces on all sides until a rich golden crust develops, approximately 3-4 minutes per batch.
3. Incorporate chopped onions and minced garlic into the browned meat, sautéing until onions become translucent and fragrant, releasing their natural sweetness.
4. Deglaze the pot with red wine, using a wooden spoon to scrape accumulated browned bits from bottom, which will enhance the stew’s depth of flavor.
5. Layer potatoes, carrots, and celery into the pot, then introduce beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, chili sauce, and seasonings, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
6. Secure lid, set Instant Pot to high pressure, and cook for 35 minutes at 240°F, allowing natural pressure release for 15-20 minutes to maintain meat’s tenderness.
7. Create cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with water, then gently stir into hot stew to achieve desired consistency and create a rich, smooth gravy.
8. Serve hot, garnishing with fresh parsley or cilantro for a vibrant finishing touch and added aromatic complexity.

Notes

• Choose well-marbled chuck roast or stew meat with good fat content for maximum tenderness and rich flavor development during pressure cooking.
• Take time to properly brown beef in batches, ensuring each piece develops a deep golden crust for maximum umami and depth in the final stew.
• No red wine? Replace with additional beef broth, apple cider, or balsamic vinegar to maintain complex flavor profiles without compromising overall taste.
• Swap potatoes with cauliflower chunks or turnips to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining similar texture and absorbing delicious stew flavors.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg