This hearty and comforting Instant Pot Beef Stew is prepared in a fraction of the time by utilizing the speed and convenience of your pressure cooker.
What I love about this recipe is that it tastes just like it has slow cooked for hours, but everything is done (from start to finish) in a little over an hour. A total SCORE for busy weeknights!
Beef stew is the ultimate comfort food and the leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any!) are delicious.
I normally enjoy it with French bread, but also love it served over mashed potatoes or rice when I’m seriously craving a hearty meal!
The time to cook in a pressure cooker can be deceiving. This recipe takes a grand total of approximately 1 hour 12 minutes which includes prep time, the time it takes the pot to come to pressure, total cook time and natural pressure release time.
How to Make it
- First you’ll brown the beef in olive oil using the saute function and transfer to a plate.
- Cook celery, onions and garlic, then add beef broth, browning sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar and herbs.
- Return browned beef to pot and add carrots and potatoes. Cook at high pressure for 25 minutes.
- Natural release pressure for 10 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure. Add a simple cornstarch slurry and peas, stir to combine and cook until broth is thickened (using the saute function).
Enjoy!
More Comforting Pressure Cooker Recipes
Instant Pot Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless beef chuck roast excess fat removed and cut into approximately 1 ½ inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 2 stalks celery sliced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
- 2 ½ cups beef broth low sodium
- 1 tablespoon browning sauce*
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 ½ cups baby carrots**
- 1 pound russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup cold water
- ¾ cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Season beef pieces with salt and pepper.
- Select the high saute function on your pressure cooker. Pour olive oil into the insert of your pressure cooker. Allow olive oil to heat.
- Brown ½ of the meat on all sides (stirring occasionally). Remove meat with a pair of tongs or a slotted spoon and transfer to a large plate. Repeat with the second ½¾ of the meat and transfer to the plate. Leave any drippings in the pot.
- Add onion, celery and garlic to your pressure cooker and cook for approximately 3 minutes, or until softened (stirring often).
- Add beef broth, browning sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, oregano and bay leaves. Stir to combine, while scraping up any bits off the bottom of the pot. Turn off your pressure cooker.
- Add browned beef pieces (with any juices), carrots and potatoes to the pot.
- Place the lid on the pressure cooker and lock. Steam release knob should be set on "sealing". Cook on manual setting (high pressure) for 25 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Quick release remaining pressure and carefully remove lid.
- Whisk together cornstarch and water in a small bowl or large measuring cup until smooth. Turn off Instant Pot and then turn on the saute (high) function. Add cornstarch mixture and peas. Stir to combine. Cook an additional 3 to 4 minutes (stirring often) or until broth is thickened and peas are warmed.
- Remove and discard bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley when serving, if desired.
Notes
- *Worcestershire sauce can be substituted for browning sauce.
- **Peeled whole carrots sliced into ¾ inch slices can be substituted for baby carrots.
- This recipe was tested using a 6 quart Instant Pot.
- Cook time includes high pressure and saute times.
- Yields approximately 9 cups.
Nutrition
If provided, nutritional info is a courtesy, is not guaranteed and should only be considered as a guideline.
This post was originally published October 2018. It has been updated with new photographs, new text and recipe revised to accommodate a 6-quart Instant Pot.
Tony Reynolds says
Hi Amy, just made this and it was absolutely delicious! I’ve been making your chicken soup since I found you during lockdown & that’s now a staple over the winter months in our house. Thank you
Tony, Melbourne Australia.
Terry says
My ?onions and potatoes are liquefied and carrots are too soft after cooking. Any ideas? How about shortening the cooking time?
Amy says
Hi Terry, I honestly don’t know what could have gone wrong – did you cut the veggies too small possibly? The photos in the post are how this stew was prepared with the recipe as written, and the potatoes kept their shape and the carrots weren’t too soft. I hope it works better for you next time!
Angela M says
Delicious!
Amy says
Thanks, Angela! So happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Therese says
I have made this twice and its absolutely fantastic! I will cut back on the black pepper next time as it tends to give the stew some “heat”. Not good for those with weak palates.
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Thanks so much, Therese!
Jean says
What is browning sauce? Sounds good.
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Hi Jean, thanks so much! Here is a link to browning sauce
Bonnie says
Can you use a 6 quart pot with the same amounts listed in the ingredients?
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Hi Bonnie, I have not tested this recipe with a 6-quart Instant Pot so I can’t say for sure. My 8-quart was close to the fill line (can’t remember exactly how close) so I would lean towards saying no, but can’t say for certain.
Dianne Ronald says
Can this stew be made in a slow cooker? I don’t use instant pots or pressure cookers.
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Hi Dianne, I currently don’t have a slow cooker version of this recipe posted, but hope to have one soon!
Susan Martin says
Amy, I’m so glad your family is safe, although I know how much your mom put into decorating the house, and it does make my heart hurt. I’m keeping y’all in my thoughts and prayers. And thanks for this- I’m making a list right now, will make sure I can do this in the next couple days!
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Thanks so much, Susan! Their house is going to be better than ever once it’s rebuilt and I’m so looking forward to it (I know they are too!). I hope you enjoy this stew as much as we did. Much love from NC!
Arthur in the Garden! says
Yea it’s crazy! Glad you all are safe! My cousins house in Cape Carteret was destroyed but my mom and sister in Morehead City are safe.
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Hey Arthur, thanks so much! So sorry to hear about your cousin’s house but hope they’re okay and safe… my home is in Morehead City and was spared as well thank goodness. Happy to hear your mom and sister are okay!