Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Veronika's Kitchen * This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Make the best Beef Stew in your Instant Pot with tender beef tips, carrots, potatoes, and green peas. It will become your favorite one pot comfort meal that you can make in one hour!

Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe (1)

If you love delicious comforting meals, like Beef Stew, but don’t want to cook it for hours on the stove, you should try making it in a Pressure Cooker. You will have the same flavorful stew with tender beef tips but you can make it in just one hour!

Pressure cooking is a wonderful technique to make meals faster than what you would typically cook on the stove. Check out my post for Instant Pot Recipes for Beginner for more recipe ideas, like Instant Pot Lamb Shanks, Instant Pot Bolognese, Instant Pot Pot Roast, Instant Pot Boneless Short Ribs, Instant Pot BBQ Chicken, Instant Pot BBQ Ribs Recipe. The cooking time is reduced while also keeping the meat tender and flavorful.

This Beef Stew is a great example of how you can make a delicious comforting meal in a shorter amount of time! It’s similar to my Dutch Oven Beef Stew and Easy Chicken Stew Recipe but takes less effort to make. Also, I love to serve it with my Easy Dinner Rolls or Sandwich Bread Recipe.

Why you will love it

  • Easy to make. All you need to do is just chop the veggies and sear the meat. A pressure cooker will do the rest of the job.
  • Quick. You can make this recipe in one hour, comparing to 3 hours cooking in a Dutch Oven.
  • Delicious. You will have the same flavors as you would when slowly cooking this stew. Plus, the meat comes out beautifully tender and just melts in your mouth!
Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe (2)

How to make Beef Stew in Instant Pot

First, we need to prepare the meat. If your beef tips are too big, cut them in 1×1 inch cubes. Season with salt and pepper and mix well. (Photos 1-4)

Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe (3)

Now we can brown the meat, which will bring the most flavor to the dish. To do so, press the “Sauté” button and add 1-2 tablespoons olive oil.

When it’s hot, add half of the meat and brown of all sides for a few minutes. It’s important to keep some space in between of the meat and not to overcrowd. (Photos 5-6)

NOTE: The reason we need to brown the meat in batches, is because if you overcrowd the pan/pot, the meat will start releasing its juices and will boil instead of browning. When you keep some space in-between, they will get a beautiful crust that will give the most flavor.

NOTE: Also, when you brown the meat, try not to stir it too often. Just put the pieces in a single layer, leaving space in between, and don’t touch them for a couple of minutes until they are browned, then flip and sear on the other side.

When the beef tips are browned, transfer them to a plate and set aside.

Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe (4)

Add the chopped onions and cook them for 5-8 minutes, until they are soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds. Then add tomato paste and stir for another minutes. (Photos 7-12)

Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe (5)

Now we can turn the “Saute” function off and add the rest of the ingredients (seared beef tips with the juices, chopped potatoes, carrots, beef broth, and bay leaves). (Photos 13-17)

Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe (6)

Close the lid and make sure that the venting knob is set to “Seal”. Cook on manual high pressure for 35 minutes. When done, naturally release the pressure for 10 minutes, then do a quick pressure release.

Press the “Sauté” button again and bring it to boil. Add frozen peas and cook for a few minutes. (Photos 19-20)

Gradually add cornstarch slurry (mixed water and cornstarch) until you get the desired thickness of the broth. (Photos 21-22)

Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe (7)

Tips for best results

  • Make sure you sear the meet before adding other ingredients to ensure the most flavor.
  • Because we cook the meat for quite a long time, you want to cut your veggies (potatoes and carrots) into larger pieces, so they don’t get too soft while cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of beef to use?

I usually buy already pre-cut beef tips at my local store. You also can purchase a whole piece of boneless chuck roast and cut it into 1×1-inch pieces.

What kind of potatoes to use?

I prefer to use Russet potatoes, as they keep their shape better. Yukon gold is another good option. Also, I prefer not to peel the potatoes so they don’t get mushy.

Can I freeze it?

Beef stew is perfect for meal prep and freezes very well. After it’s cooled off, put it in an air-tight container or a zip-lock bag and freeze it for up to 3 months. To thaw, just put it in the fridge overnight, then reheat in a pot or a sauce pan.

Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe (8)
Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe (9)

Print Recipe

4.91 from 11 votes

Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe

Make the best Beef Stew in your Instant Pot with tender beef tips, carrots, potatoes, and green peas. It will become your favorite one pot comfort meal that you can make in one hour!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time35 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 898kcal

Author: Veronika’s Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds beef tips cut in 1×1-inch
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 4 large Russet potatoes diced
  • 2 large carrots diced
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

  • First, we need to prepare the meat. If your beef tips are too big, cut them in 1×1-inch cubes. Season with salt and pepper and mix well.

  • Press the “Sauté” button and add 1-2 tablespoons olive oil.

  • When the oil is hot, add half of the beef tips and brown on all sides for a few minutes. It’s important to keep some space in between of the meat and not to overcrowd.

  • NOTE: The reason we need to brown the meat in batches, is because if you overcrowd the pan/pot, the meat will start releasing its juices and will boil instead of browning. When you keep some space in-between, they will get a beautiful crust that will give the most flavor.

  • NOTE: Also, when you brown the meat, try not to stir it too often. Just put the pieces in a single layer, leaving space in between, and don’t touch them for a couple of minutes until they are browned, then flip and sear on the other side.

  • When the beef tips are browned, transfer them to a plate and set aside.

  • Add the chopped onions and cook them for 5-8 minutes, until they are soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds.Then add tomato paste and stir for another minutes.

  • Now we can turn the “Saute” function off and add the rest of the ingredients (seared beef tips with the juices, chopped potatoes, carrots, beef broth, and bay leaves.

  • Close the lid and make sure that the venting knob is set to“Seal”. Cook on manual high pressure for 35 minutes. When done, naturally release the pressure for 10 minutes, then do a quick pressure release.

  • Press the “Sauté” button again and bring it to boil. Add frozen peas and cook for a few minutes.

  • Gradually add cornstarch slurry (mixed water and cornstarch) until you get the desired thickness of the broth.

Video

Notes

  • Make sure you sear the meet before adding other ingredients to ensure the most flavor.
  • Because we cook the meat for quite a long time, you want to cut your veggies (potatoes and carrots) into larger pieces, so they don’t get too soft while cooking.

What kind of beef to use? I usually buy already pre-cut beef tips at my local store. You also can purchase a whole piece of boneless chuck roast and cut it into 1×1-inch pieces.

What kind of potatoes to use? I prefer to use Russet potatoes, as they keep their shape better. Yukon gold is another good option. Also, I prefer not to peel the potatoes so they don’t get mushy.

Can I freeze it? Beef stew is perfect for meal prep and freezes very well. After it’s cooled off, put it in an air-tight container or a zip-lock bag and freeze it for up to 3 months. To thaw, just put it in the fridge overnight, then reheat in a pot or a sauce pan.

Nutrition

Calories: 898kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 161mg | Sodium: 1403mg | Potassium: 1906mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 5434IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 7mg

Did you make this recipe?I’d love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below. Or snap a photo and share it on Instagram; be sure to tag me @veronikaskitchen.

Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my stew meat tough in Instant Pot? ›

Why is My Stew Meat Tough In Instant Pot? The cut of meat you select for stew plays a big role in its tenderness once cooked. Beef chuck roast, I find, is the best cut of meat for beef stew recipes. Be sure to also let your pressure release naturally.

How long does it take to cook 2 pounds of beef in the Instant Pot? ›

For example, cook a 2-pound pot roast at high pressure for 40 minutes and a 3-pound pot roast for 60 minutes. Frozen beef: I highly recommend thawing your beef for this recipe, since you cannot sear the frozen beef. If you must use frozen beef, assume 30 minutes per pound.

Does beef stew get more tender the longer it cooks? ›

Chuck meat is your best bet for beef stew, but it's also a pretty tough cut so it needs time to break down and become tender. Rush the cooking process and the beef will be tough and chewy. Follow this tip: For really tender meat, cook the stew low and slow, for approximately two hours.

Is it better to slow cook or pressure cook beef stew? ›

Pressure cooking beef stew is much faster than cooking beef stew in the slow cooker. Also, to get the beef, potatoes and carrots really tender, you have to cook it longer in the slow cooker. If you forgot to put out your meat to thaw, the Instant pot can cook it much quicker than a slow cooker can.

Can you overcook stew in a pressure cooker? ›

Unfortunately, once you overcook a piece of meat in the pressure cooker, there's no going back. You'll be left with a pile of dry, crunchy, tasteless fibers and no amount of additional pressure cooking is going to put that moisture back into the meat.

How can I make my stew meat more tender? ›

The best cooking method for tenderizing stew meat is slow cooking. This can be achieved by simmering the stew on low heat for a long period, either on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or in the oven. The low and slow cooking technique allows the collagen in the meat to break down, resulting in tender and juicy meat.

Do you cover meat with liquid in pressure cooker? ›

While you may cover meat almost completely for a conventional braise, use just enough liquid for the cooker to reach pressure – during pressure cooking the meat will release it's own juice and braise in that flavorful liquid, instead.

How much water do you put in a pressure cooker for meat? ›

However, as a general guideline, it's recommended to use at least 1 to 1.5 cups of liquid (water, broth, or a combination) when cooking meat in a pressure cooker.

What is the best meat for stew? ›

Go for the chuck

The most common beef used for stew is chuck steak, also known as gravy beef or braising steak. Beef chuck comes from the forequarter of the animal consisting of parts of the neck, shoulder blade and upper arm. It is easy to find and it's affordable, making it a great choice for your stew.

What is the secret to tender beef stew? ›

The secret to tender beef stew is to keep the pot at a gentle simmer the entire time so the connective tissues in the beef have a chance to break down and soften.

Why add vinegar to beef stew? ›

Tough stew meat will take a couple of hours to get tender, and the vinegar helps this happen as well as add special flavor. Then add the onions, carrots, celery, Brussels sprouts etc and cook until the vegetables are the way you like them.

Can you overcook beef in beef stew? ›

Don't Stew the Stew Too Long Either

Your beef will be tough if you don't cook it enough and it will be tough if you cook it too much. It's just science, take it from us! We recommend doing a taste test or two throughout the cooking process to gauge the progress.

Do I have to brown stew meat before pressure cooking? ›

How to Make a Flavorful Beef Stew in the Pressure Cooker. The #1 thing you can do for a flavorful stew is to brown the beef! Especially when you're in a hurry, it can be tempting to just throw everything in the pot to cook. However, you miss out on so much flavor this way!

Does food taste better in a pressure cooker or slow cooker? ›

As the ingredients cook under pressure, their flavors are concentrated, resulting in a richer taste. Tenderization: Pressure cooking breaks down tough fibers in meats and other ingredients, making them more tender and juicy.

What is the advantage of cooking a stew in a pressure cooker? ›

Benefits of a pressure cooker. Pressure cooking reduces the cooking time for most foods. This shorter cooking time can result in fewer nutrients being leeched out of food during the cooking process. Put another way, your food keeps more of the nutrients inside.

Can you overcook stewing beef in a slow cooker? ›

Slow cookers are specially designed to cook food for long periods of time, but yes, you can still overcook in a slow cooker if something is left on the wrong setting for longer than it's supposed to be.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rueben Jacobs

Last Updated:

Views: 6079

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rueben Jacobs

Birthday: 1999-03-14

Address: 951 Caterina Walk, Schambergerside, CA 67667-0896

Phone: +6881806848632

Job: Internal Education Planner

Hobby: Candle making, Cabaret, Poi, Gambling, Rock climbing, Wood carving, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.