This simple Instant Pot Beef Stew is ready in a fraction of the time that it usually takes, thanks to the pressure cooker. Tender pieces of beef and plenty of veggies are cooked and served in thick and luxurious gravy.
Serve this beef stew on a cold day alongside a crusty baguette or homemade Dinner Rolls, plus a big green salad (like this Italian Salad), or Roasted Brussel Sprouts.
Instant Pot Beef Stew
After years of relishing Sunday beef stews, we’ve found a standout method with the Instant Pot®. Imagine tender beef and flawlessly cooked vegetables in a rich, savory broth. This appliance transforms a traditional slow cooker or stovetop stew into a delicious meal in under two hours.
This isn’t just any beef stew; it’s the epitome of comforting, home-cooked excellence. Get ready for an elevated beef stew experience that’s simply extraordinary!
Quick Tip
How long to cook beef stew in the instant pot? Instant Pot Beef Stew cooks on high pressure for 40 minutes.
- Set the pressure cooker to manual and set for 40 minutes
- Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes.
- Release the rest of the pressure and carefully open the lid.
Quick Tip
If you want to use red wine in this recipe, I recommend pinot noir, merlot, or sangiovese. Stay away from the sweet reds and try one of the medium- or full-bodied dry red wines instead. Most of the alcohol cooks out, but there will be trace amounts left in any cooked food.
What Should I Serve With Beef Stew?
The great thing about beef stew is that it’s a full meal all in one bowl. It’s got meat, plenty of veggies, and a rich gravy. So, if you’re going to serve something with beef stew, keep it simple! Here are a few recommendations.
- a good crusty loaf of warmed bread (Italian or sourdough), drop biscuits, or soup crackers
- some kind of simple green salad like a garden or Caesar salad
- fruit salad such as this Winter Fruit Salad or roasted veggie salad
- short-grain brown rice or long-grain white rice
Instant Pot Beef Stew
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Large cast-iron pan
Ingredients
- 4 cups beef stock or beef broth, divided, see note 2
- 2 cups thinly sliced carrots 3–4 large carrots
- 1-3/4 cups thinly sliced celery sliced, 4–5 stalks
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 pound baby yellow (Yukon gold) potatoes halved (or quartered for large ones)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2-1/2 to 2-3/4 pounds beef chuck roast cut into 1–2 inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 cup yellow onion diced, 1 small onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic 2 cloves
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 beef bouillon cube see note 2
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Place 1 cup beef stock in the Instant Pot. Add the thinly sliced carrots, sliced celery, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, potatoes, and tomato paste.
- Cut the chuck roast into 1–2-inch bite-sized cubes (removing any large, tough pieces of fat or gristle.) Season all sides with salt and pepper (I use about 1 teaspoon of each).
- Heat a large cast-iron pan on high (see note 1). Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once the pan is hot, add the cubed beef (it should sizzle as soon as it hits the pan). Sear beef for about 2 minutes on each side. (To get a nice sear, don’t stir the beef around. Leave it in one spot and, using tongs, flip it to the other side after about 2 minutes.) Add the beef pieces in 2–3 batches so you don’t overcrowd the beef. Remove beef with a slotted spoon. Add 1 more tablespoon oil only if needed. Add seared beef and any accumulated juices to the Instant Pot.
- Do not wash out the pan. Let it slightly cool, then add remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Reduce heat to medium low. Add diced onions and cook for 3–4 minutes, scraping up the browned bits as you stir the onions. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Add butter and allow to melt (reduce heat to low if anything is getting too hot). Add flour and, whisking constantly, cook for 1 minute to get rid of the raw flour taste. Pour in 1 cup of beef stock gradually, continuing to whisk. Simmer over low heat, stirring constantly, until a thick paste forms, about 1–3 minutes. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan. Gradually add 1 and 1/2 cups of beef stock and bring to a simmer. Whisk until smooth and thickened, another 2–4 minutes. (If you’d like to use red wine in place of some of the beef stock, see note 2.)
- Pour the gravy into the Instant Pot. Add the beef bouillon cube (crumble it up and add it in), paprika, dried parsley, thyme, bay leaves, and Worcestershire sauce. Give everything a good stir. Make sure the beef is submerged in liquid as much as possible, pressing below other ingredients as needed (this will keep it nice and tender). Pour the remaining 1/2 cup stock in the Instant Pot. Close and seal the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 40 minutes, then allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes (don’t touch anything for 15 minutes). Vent to release any remaining pressure, then carefully open the lid. Remove and discard bay leaves. Stir in frozen peas.
- Taste the stew and add additional seasonings if needed (salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar go a long way). Serve the stew in bowls and enjoy with hearty bread and fresh herbs if desired.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this tonight and also received the burn message. I added about 8 ice cubes to the instapot and stirred until melted. This seemed to do the trick!
I’m happy you were able to make it work! 🙂
Can I make this beef stew also in the Crockpot? In yes, how long does it take? Thank you.
Had the same issue with the burning. But I found if you check the release valve to make sure it’s sealed correctly you should be good.
Awesome, thanks Doug!
I made this and it turned out wonderful, I had to leave out the parsley and celery since I didn’t have any, but otherwise followed exactly and added frozen corn too! Thanks!
So happy this was a hit! 🙂 Thanks for the comment Jasmine 🙂
This resulted in my instant pot giving me a “burn” message before even 10 minutes of the cooking process had completed. Is it possible the gravy shouldn’t actually be stirred in? Or maybe added last?
That’s so strange, I’ve made this so many times now and never gotten the burn message. I’ve always stirred in the gravy and then added the additional 1/2 cup beef stock on top; did you change anything at all about the recipe?
Got a burn message also. Tried 3 times and then gave up. I followed the recipe exactly.
Well shoot, I’ve truly made it many many times before posting it and never got the burn notice. A couple thoughts; is steam leaking from the sealing ring? (from forgetting to place sealing ring back into the lid, is the sealing ring is damaged, cracked, is food debris left on the sealing ring, or was the lid was not closed properly?) And other thought: was the venting knob turned fully to sealing position? I will leave a note in the recipe to increase stock a bit. I’m very sorry you’ve had problems with the recipe. I tested it so many times I really can’t figure out why the burn notice would be coming 🙁
This quickly became a favorite at my house! So comforting!
making this for dinner again. sooooo good!
Glad it was enjoyed! 🙂
It’s so hard to find a good beef stew recipe. This one was great! Will definitely be making it again and again!
I always love delicious instant pot recipes! This one didn’t disappoint.
So happy to hear it! 🙂
Love your recipes! Your family is so lucky to have you. Our daughter once cried when she had to eat my cooking, but not anymore! Thanks for sharing your genius with those, like me, living ‘culinarily challenged’ lives 😁
I am so happy to hear this! Thanks so much for your comment! 🙂
I love these flavors in this stew. Thie beef stew is really good.