Are you ready to find your new favorite comfort food? The Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe is a game changer for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. With tender beef and hearty vegetables, it’s a meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Instant Comfort: With meltingly tender beef and a rich, flavorful broth, it’s the ultimate cozy meal.
- Quick and Easy: The Instant Pot does all the hard work in just 35 minutes of cooking time, plus a bit of prep.
- Versatile Ingredients: Use what you have on hand or modify to suit your taste without sacrificing flavor.
- Nutrient Packed: Filled with vegetables and lean protein, it’s as healthy as it is hearty.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of essential ingredients, this stew brings together layers of rich flavors. Each one plays a vital role in making this dish unforgettable, from the robust taste of beef to the sweet and earthy vegetables.
- Boneless beef stew meat: Opt for cuts like chuck or brisket for maximum tenderness.
- Olive oil: It sets the base for browning the meat, adding a hint of fruity richness.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural flavors.
- Italian seasoning: A savory blend that infuses the stew with aromatic herbs.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds depth with its tangy and slightly sweet profile.
- Garlic and onions: These aromatics form the flavor backbone of the stew.
- Baby carrots and potatoes: Cut into chunks to provide texture and heartiness.
- Beef broth: Creates a rich and savory base for the stew.
- Tomato sauce: Enhances the stew with a touch of acidity and sweetness.
- Cornstarch and water: For thickening the stew to your desired consistency.
Variations
Personalizing this stew is as easy as pie! Feel free to modify the recipe to meet your dietary requirements or simply based on what’s available in your pantry.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap the beef for mushrooms and use vegetable broth for a plant-based twist.
- Spicy Kick: Add jalapeños or red pepper flakes for those who crave heat in their meals.
- Root Vegetable Swap: Use parsnips or turnips in place of potatoes for an earthy flavor change.
How to Make Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
Step 1: Sauté and Season
Begin by setting your Instant Pot to the sauté function. Heat the olive oil until it sizzles, then add the beef cubes. Season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Brown the beef on all sides, as this step is crucial for locking in flavor.
Step 2: Deglaze and Add
Pour in the beef broth and use a spoon to gently scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot. This adds incredible flavor. Add in the Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onions, carrots, potatoes, and tomato sauce, stirring everything together.
Step 3: Pressure Cook
Secure the lid and seal the valve. Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes, allowing the pressure to release naturally for an additional 10 minutes before performing a quick release. Your kitchen will be filled with mouthwatering aromas by now!
Step 4: Thicken
In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until smooth. Stir this mixture into the stew and let it simmer on the sauté function for a few minutes until the stew thickens to your liking. It’s ready to serve!
Pro Tips for Making Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
- Cut Size Matters: Consistently sized beef cubes ensure even cooking and prevent unevenly textured meat.
- Layer of Flavor: Don’t skip browning the beef; it creates a savory foundation that enriches the entire dish.
- Thickening Technique: For a thicker stew, add more cornstarch slurry gradually until you reach the desired consistency.
- Vegetable Versatility: Adjust vegetable quantities based on preference or availability without compromising the recipe’s integrity.
How to Serve Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
Garnishes
Top this hearty stew with fresh chopped parsley or thyme for a burst of color and an added layer of flavor. A sprinkle of grated parmesan enhances the stew’s richness, making each spoonful more delightful.
Side Dishes
Pair this stew with crusty bread or dinner rolls, perfect for soaking up every drop of that savory gravy. Mashed potatoes or fluffy rice also make excellent companions, introducing complementary textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this stew in individual bread bowls for a fun and rustic presentation. Alternatively, use a shallow bowl with wide rims to elegantly present the colorful vegetables and chunks of meat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen as it sits, making it even more delicious on the second day.
Freezing
This stew freezes wonderfully. Store it in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before sealing and freezing to preserve its taste and texture.
Reheating
Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently. Add a splash of broth if needed to adjust the consistency as it heats.
FAQs
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Can I use a different cut of meat?
Absolutely! While stew meat is convenient, cuts like chuck roast or brisket are also great due to their marbling, which becomes tender with prolonged cooking.
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What if I don’t have an Instant Pot?
No worries! This recipe can be adapted for a slow cooker, with cooking times of 6-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high.
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How can I make the stew thicker?
Increase the cornstarch slurry by mixing additional cornstarch with cold water and adding it gradually while stirring until the desired thickness is achieved.
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Is it necessary to brown the beef?
Browning the beef is not only crucial for color, but it significantly enhances flavor, creating a depth that keeps diners coming back for more.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, a cozy classic made quick and easy! Try this Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe, and enjoy the warm, comforting vibes it brings to any table. Don’t be surprised if it quickly becomes a family favorite!
Print
Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Stew
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew combines tender chunks of beef with hearty vegetables in a rich, flavorful broth, cooked to perfection in the eponymous appliance for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasonings
– 3 pounds boneless beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
– 2 teaspoons salt
– 2 teaspoons pepper
– 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
– 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Vegetables and Aromatics
– 6 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 large onions, chopped
– 2 (16-ounce) bags baby carrots, sliced
– 2 pounds potatoes, cubed
Liquid and Thickening Agents
– 5 cups beef broth
– 2 (10-ounce) cans tomato sauce
– 4 tablespoons cornstarch
– 4 tablespoons water
Cooking Oil
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Brown the meat: Add olive oil to the Instant Pot and set it to the sauté function. When the oil starts to sizzle, add the beef cubes and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the meat is browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
- Make the broth: Pour in the beef broth and use a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pot, ensuring nothing sticks and adding flavor.
- Add remaining ingredients: Stir in Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, chopped onions, sliced carrots, cubed potatoes, and tomato sauce. Mix well to combine.
- Cook under pressure: Close the lid, set the steam valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. Once done, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release to let out any remaining steam.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir this mixture into the stew and cook on sauté mode for an additional 5 minutes until thickened.
- Serve: Ladle the hot stew into bowls and serve with sides like mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread for a hearty meal.
Notes
- You can substitute different cuts of beef, like chuck roast or brisket, but adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure tenderness.
- If you don’t own an Instant Pot, this recipe can be made in a slow cooker: cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
- Enhance the flavor with an additional tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce or a teaspoon of soy sauce.
- Feel free to add other vegetables such as mushrooms, celery, or bell peppers for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
