Description
Tender chunks of beef and vegetables cooked under pressure for deep, hearty flavor — this Instant Pot Beef Stew is comfort in a bowl, perfect for a satisfying and easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Beef and Oil
- 1 ½ lb beef stew meat, cubed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Vegetables
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 potatoes, diced
Liquids and Seasonings
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Set your Instant Pot to the sauté setting. Once hot, add the olive oil and brown the beef stew meat in batches to ensure even browning. This step locks in flavor and gives your stew a rich base.
- Sauté Onion and Tomato Paste: Add the chopped onion to the pot with the browned beef and stir in the tomato paste. Cook for about 2 minutes until the onions soften and the tomato paste starts to caramelize, enhancing its depth.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly, ensuring the flavors meld together during cooking.
- Add Vegetables: Add the sliced carrots and diced potatoes to the pot, distributing them evenly.
- Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid securely and set the valve to the sealing position. Select the “Stew” preset or manually set to high pressure for 35 minutes. This cooking method tenderizes the meat and infuses the vegetables with flavor.
- Natural Pressure Release: After cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes to allow the stew to finish cooking gently. Then, carefully release any remaining pressure manually by turning the valve to venting.
- Final Stir and Serve: Open the lid, give the stew a good stir to blend all the flavors. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot as a comforting main dish.
Notes
- Add peas at the end of cooking for an extra pop of color and a touch of sweetness.
- This stew freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it convenient for meal prep and easy reheating.
- For a thicker stew, you can mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir it into the stew after cooking, then cook on sauté mode until thickened.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course / Stew
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
