Instant Pot Beef Stew

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This Instant Pot beef stew recipe makes a hearty and delicious stew with slow-cooked flavor in minutes using the Instant Pot.

Prep Time20

Cook Time1 10

Total Time1 30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 363

Author: Candace

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

1½-2 pounds stewing beef cut into bite sized pieces
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 Tablespoons oil divided, plus more as needed
1 onion cut in slices
3 cups beef broth
1 cup red wine or tomato juice, or additional beef broth
3 potatoes diced
3-4 carrots sliced
3 stalks celery chopped
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons garlic powder *
2 teaspoons onion powder *
2 teaspoons beef base or beef bouillon*, optional
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups peas frozen (thawed**) or fresh

Optional Slurry

3 Tablespoons cornstarch
3 Tablespoons water

Instructions

Trim beef. Toss beef with salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.
Turn Instant Pot to saute and add 1 Tablespoon oil. Add half of the beef and allow to brown for 4-5 minutes before turning and browning the other side, adding additional oil if needed. Remove from Instant Pot and set aside. Add 1 Tablespoon oil and repeat with remaining beef. Remove beef and set aside.
Add onions to the Instant Pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, adding more oil if needed, stirring a few times. Add beef broth and wine to deglaze the Instant Pot. Using a spoon, scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot to remove all brown bits (to avoid a “burn” warning).
Add browned beef and any juices, potatoes, carrots, celery, tomato paste, garlic powder*, onion powder*, beef base*, and 1 teaspoon pepper to the slow cooker. Make sure all ingredients are covered with liquid. If not, arrange to cover or add additional broth to cover.
Secure lid on Instant Pot and set vent to seal. Select the manual button and set for 35 minutes on high pressure. It takes about 5-10 minutes to come to full pressure, then cook time will countdown.
Once cook time is complete, allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes and then release remaining pressure manually.
Optional slurry: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
Add peas and slurry, if using, to the Instant Pot and stir until peas are heated and stew has thickened. If the stew doesn’t thicken, turn Instant Pot on to saute, stir, and cook for 2-5 minutes until thickened. Add more slurry as needed to reach desired consistency.
Serve with bread or dumplings.

Notes

*Replace garlic powder, onion powder, and beef base with a packet of beef stew seasoning (although adding the beef base as well adds a lovely flavor)
**To thaw peas, run under warm water

You could skip the browning step if you are short on time. But browning will add great flavor.
Add frozen peas to a bowl of stew to cool it down for little ones.

Nutrition