Welcome to your new go-to comfort meal, the Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe. This soul-warming dish combines tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich broth to create the ultimate stew that comes together effortlessly in your Instant Pot. Prepare to cozy up with a bowl of this goodness!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Tender Beef: The Instant Pot ensures your beef is melt-in-the-mouth perfect.
- Easy to Prepare: Just throw everything into the pot, and let it work its magic.
- Rich Flavor: Worcestershire sauce and garlic bring the savory flavors to life.
- Versatile: Easily customizable to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for the Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe is as simple as it gets! Each plays a significant role in crafting a divine stew that hits every note—savory, satisfying, and soothing.
- 3 pounds boneless beef stew meat: Choose a well-marbled meat for added tenderness and flavor.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Essential for browning meat and creating a flavor foundation.
- 2 teaspoons salt and pepper: Basic seasoning staples, crucial for enhancing all other flavors.
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning: Introduces aromatic herbs that enrich the complexity of the stew.
- 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce: Adds a sweet and tangy touch that’s hard to resist.
- 6 cloves garlic, minced: Amplifies the savory essence of the dish.
- 2 large onions, chopped: Provides sweetness and depth to the stew.
- 2 (16-ounce) bags baby carrots: They not only add color but also a yummy sweetness when cooked.
- 2 pounds potatoes, cubed: Serve as a hearty, filling base.
- 5 cups beef broth: Forms the backbone of the stew’s flavorful gravy.
- 2 (10-ounce) cans tomato sauce: Gives the broth a robust body and flavor.
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 4 tablespoons water: A quick trick for thickening the stew beautifully.
Variations
This Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe is wonderfully flexible. Feel free to adapt based on your cravings, what you have on hand, or dietary preferences!
- Vegetarian Version: Use vegetable broth and add hearty mushrooms or peas in place of beef.
- Spice It Up: Throw in a chopped chili for a deliciously spicy kick.
- Gluten-Free: Swap the cornstarch with arrowroot powder for a gluten-free thickening alternative.
How to Make Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Meat
Set your Instant Pot to sauté and heat up the olive oil. Once it’s shimmering, add your seasoned beef chunks. Let them sizzle away until browned on each side, creating a flavorful crust that will permeate your stew.
Step 2: Make the Broth
Pour in the beef broth, carefully scraping all those cherished brown bits at the bottom of the pot. This step captures maximum flavor and ensures nothing is wasted.
Step 3: Add Remaining Ingredients
Now’s the time to toss in the Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onions, carrots, potatoes, and tomato sauce. Mix them well, making sure everything is coated and settles beautifully into the broth.
Step 4: Cook
Seal the Instant Pot and choose the high-pressure setting for 35 minutes. Allow it to naturally release for 10 minutes, then carefully do a quick release to unlock all that delicious aroma!
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
Combine cornstarch with cold water in a bowl. Slowly stir this mix into your stew, watching it transform into a luscious, thickened masterpiece.
Pro Tips for Making Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
- Searing Success: Make sure meat is browned properly for depth in flavor.
- Correct Consistency: Stir cornstarch mixture slowly into hot stew to ensure it thickens smoothly.
- Optimum Pressure Release: Always allow for a natural pressure release to keep your stew tender.
- Perfect Portion Control: Customize vegetable quantities to avoid overcrowding the pot and ensure even cooking.
How to Serve Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
Garnishes
Top your stew with freshly chopped parsley or a sprinkle of grated parmesan for that finishing touch. These garnishes add a splash of color and an extra layer of taste.
Side Dishes
Pair this stew with creamy mashed potatoes or a crusty slice of artisanal bread. The softness of the potatoes complements the stew, while the bread is perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your stew in charming stoneware bowls or rustic bread bowls for a creative, dinner-party-worthy presentation that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer the stew to airtight containers and refrigerate. It’s best enjoyed within 3 to 4 days, making it a fantastic make-ahead meal.
Freezing
If you have extra, freeze the stew in freezer-safe bags. It’ll keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
Reheating
Gently warm the stew on the stovetop, or use the microwave for faster results. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and add a splash of water if it thickens during storage.
FAQs
-
Can I use frozen beef for this recipe?
Yes, but it’s best to thaw the beef beforehand for even browning. If using frozen, increase the cooking time slightly to ensure it cooks through.
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What can I substitute for Worcestershire sauce?
You can use soy sauce or a mix of soy sauce and apple cider vinegar for a similar taste profile.
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What’s the secret to thickening the stew without flour?
Cornstarch is a great gluten-free thickener that works well in this stew. Just ensure you mix it with cold water before stirring it into the hot stew.
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Can I add wine to the stew?
Absolutely! Adding a half-cup of red wine during the broth stage will give the stew a deep, rich flavor.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited to make this Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe as I am to share it with you. With its rich flavors and comforting goodness, it’s bound to become a staple at your table. Gather your loved ones and dig into this homemade delight. Happy cooking!
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Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Stew, Main Course, Instant Pot Recipes
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew is a hearty, flavorful dish that’s quick to prepare using your pressure cooker. Perfect for cozy nights, it features tender cubes of beef simmered with vegetables in a rich broth, thickened to perfection. Easy to customize with your favorite vegetables, this stew is a family favorite that’s ready in under an hour, offering comforting, homemade goodness.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasonings
- 3 pounds boneless beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Liquid and Flavorings
- 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 2 (16-ounce) bags baby carrots, sliced
- 2 pounds potatoes, cubed
- 5 cups beef broth
- 2 (10-ounce) cans tomato sauce
Thickening Agent
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Brown the meat: Add olive oil to the Instant Pot and select the sauté function. Once hot, add the beef cubes seasoned with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sear the meat until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Make the broth: Pour in the beef broth and use a spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, enhancing the flavor of your stew.
- Add remaining ingredients: Stir in Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, chopped onions, sliced carrots, cubed potatoes, and tomato sauce into the pot.
- Cook under pressure: Secure the lid, close the steam valve, and select high-pressure cook. Set timer for 35 minutes. Once cooking completes, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water until smooth. With the Instant Pot on simmer or sauté mode, stir in the cornstarch mixture and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Serve: Ladle hot stew into bowls and enjoy with mashed potatoes, rice, or bread. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute other cuts like chuck roast or brisket; adjust cooking time as needed.
- If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can adapt this stew to a slow cooker—cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
- For richer flavor, add a splash more Worcestershire sauce or a teaspoon of soy sauce during cooking.
- Additional vegetables like mushrooms, celery, or bell peppers can be incorporated for variety.
- Thickening can be adjusted: use less cornstarch for a thinner broth or more for a thicker stew.
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
