Best Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe

Beef stew is a hearty and delicious meal that is made using chunks of beef, vegetables, broth or stock, and seasonings. It is typically cooked slowly on the stovetop or in the oven until tender, but can also be prepared in an Instant Pot for a quick and easy cooking method.

There are a few reasons why beef stew is such a classic meal, the first being that it is incredibly comforting and filling. This makes it the perfect wintertime meal when you want something hearty and warm to fill your belly.
Another reason that beef stew is such a classic meal is that it is so easy to make. This makes it the perfect recipe for a busy weeknight when you want something cosy on the table, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen prepping and cooking your food. With this Instant Pot beef stew dish, you can have a warm, delicious meal on the table in just minutes!

What kind of Beef to use in Beef Stew? The best type of beef is a boneless chuck roast. It doesn’t dry out, and it offers up all the rich flavors you want in a beef stew.

If you don’t have a chuck roast, you can use a brisket or bottom round instead. Although these cuts are leaner, they will still develop that rich and delicious flavor as it cooks in the broth and stock.

Sautéing is cooking food quickly in a minimal amount of fat over relatively high heat.
The word comes from the French verb sauter, which means “to jump,” and describes not only how food reacts when placed in a hot pan but also the method of tossing the food in the pan or pot.
To saute beef stew meat you need to Saute the beef before adding the rest of the ingredients. Add oil to your Instant pot and cook on saute mode until the beef is browned and cooked through.

Wondering how long to cook meat stew in Instant Pot? The instant pot stew meat cook time depends on which type of meat you are using. Generally, the best cooking time is around 35 minutes.

If you want your Instant pot beef stew to be soft to the point that the beef melts in your mouth then you’ll need to cook the beef in the pressure cooker for at least 35 minutes with natural pressure release.

Instant pot chicken stew takes ten minutes to cook. Check out this chicken stew recipe for further instructions.

If you want to know how to thicken a beef stew here are some useful tips:
Place Your Beef Stew onto keep warm mode if there is too much liquid. This will give the stew a chance to thicken naturally.
Another option is to make a cornstarch mixture by mixing some cornstarch with a small amount of cold water and then whisking it into the beef stew until you reach the desired thickness.
No matter which method you choose, be sure to keep an eye on your beef stew as you are thickening it to make sure that it doesn’t burn or overcook.

When making beef stew in the Instant Pot, we don’t recommend using the ‘stew meat’ setting for two main reasons. Firstly, this setting is usually designed to work with tougher cuts of meat that benefit from a longer cook time and low-pressure cooking.
For more tender beef cuts like chuck steak which is used in this recipe, you will get better results by using the high-pressure setting on the Instant Pot. If you want to use the Instant Pot meat stew setting that’s fine but the results may not be as good as using the manual pressure cook button.
So, while you can use the ‘meat stew’ Instant Pot setting I would not.

Yes, you can use frozen meat in beef stew. simply skip the saute section and place straight into the instant pot before cooking. Adjust the cooking time to 40 minutes. I prefer to saute and use browned beef as it adds more flavor to the Instant Pot Beef Stew.

Yes, you can definitely add other ingredients to your beef stew. Some popular additions include mushrooms, celery or bell peppers. Some like to add tomato paste or tomato sauce, red wine or soy sauce. You can also add frozen peas, fresh garlic cloves and herbs such as rosemary or thyme.

No, you do not need to use boneless beef for pressure-cooking beef stew. You can use any cut of beef that is appropriate for stewing, such as chuck roast or brisket. However, using boneless meat cuts down on the cooking time and makes it easier to eat your stew!

There is no definitive answer to this question, as the cooking time and method for making beef stew will depend on your individual preferences, taste preferences, and available ingredients.
Some people prefer the texture of meat when they pressure cook beef stew while others may prefer the more traditional browning and slow-cooking method used to make beef stew on the stovetop.

Yes, this beef stew is one of those Instant Pot recipes that freezes well in the freezer.

To freeze beef stew, simply transfer it to a freezer-safe container or airtight resealable bag. Be sure to leave about 1 inch of space at the top so that your beef stew can expand as it freezes.

You can store your Instant Pot beef stew in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw frozen beef stew place the container or bag in the fridge overnight, or you can defrost it more quickly by placing it in a bowl of cold water.

To reheat your beef stew, place it in a pot or microwave-safe bowl and heat to the desired temperature. If you are freezing the stew for later use, let it thaw completely before reheating.
Enjoy your delicious beef stew Instant pot dish alongside mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread!​