Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 43 minutes
Pressure Build/Release: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 43 minutes
Yields: 4 to 6 servings
Need a cozy, budget-friendly dinner that’s super easy and sure to please everyone? Beef stew recipe is the answer. It’s perfect for chilly nights, with soft, tender beef, tasty veggies, and a thick, flavorful broth. Also, it’s made with an affordable cut of meat, so it won’t hurt your wallet—and it tastes even better the next day.
The Instant Pot makes cooking beef stew recipe simple. First, brown the beef on the sauté setting to boost the flavor. Then, cook the onions and garlic in the same pot. Add a little red wine for a richer taste. Put in the rest of the ingredients and the browned beef, and pressure cook. At the end, mix in a cornstarch slurry to thicken the stew quickly.
Most stovetop and oven beef stew recipes take over two hours to cook, from browning the meat to simmering. But with the Instant Pot, you can have it ready in less than an hour and a half, including prep. The best part? It’s mostly hands-off and only uses one pot, making it perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal!
If your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free, this beef stew recipe is a great choice for a gluten-free diet. If you’re not gluten-free, enjoy it with some crusty bread to soak up the tasty juices.
Ingredients
Steps to Make the Best Beef Stew Recipe
01
Make sure you have all the ingredients ready before you start to make Best Beef Stew Recipe.
02
Start by placing the beef on a cutting board. Cut it into 1-inch chunks. Be sure to trim off any large pieces of fat or gristle. A little fat is fine because it adds flavor, but we want to remove any tough or chewy parts. After the beef is all chopped, season it generously with salt and pepper on all sides. This will bring out the rich flavors. It’s the first step to making your stew extra delicious.
03
Turn the Instant Pot to the sauté setting and set it on high heat. Pour 1 tablespoon of oil into the pot to cover the bottom. Now, add half of the beef in a single layer and let it cook until it’s nice and brown, which takes about 4 minutes. Use tongs to flip the beef and brown the other side for about 3 minutes. Once it’s done, take the beef out and set it on a plate. Repeat the process with the rest of the beef. Once it’s all done, set it aside. You’re on your way to a tasty stew!
04
Add the other tablespoon of oil to the Instant Pot. Toss in the onion and cook it, stirring until it starts to turn soft and see-through, which takes about 2 minutes. Next, add the garlic and tomato paste. Sauté for just 30 seconds, or until you can smell the yummy fragrance. You’re building a flavorful base for your stew.
05
Add the wine, thyme, and drop in the bay leaf. Use a spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot to get any tasty brown bits that are stuck. Let it simmer for about a minute until the wine is half gone, and you’ll be left with a rich, flavorful base.
06
Turn off the sauté function on the Instant Pot. Add the potatoes, carrots, parsnip, beef broth, and the browned beef with any juices into the pot. Stir everything together, then put the lid on tightly. Set the Instant Pot to cook at high pressure for 25 minutes. When it’s done, let the pressure release on its own.
07
Once the pressure has finished releasing on its own, mix the cornstarch and Worcestershire sauce together in a small bowl. Whisk it well until there are no lumps left. This will help thicken your stew to the perfect texture.
08
Take out the bay leaf from the pot. Turn the Instant Pot back on to the sauté setting and set it to high. Add the peas to the pot and let them cook until the mixture starts to simmer. Once it’s simmering, pour in the cornstarch mixture and stir it well. Let everything simmer for about 3 minutes, or until it thickens up just a bit.
09
Add salt and pepper to taste, mixing it in until it’s just right for you. Once it’s seasoned perfectly, serve the stew while it’s warm and ready to enjoy.
Tips
- It’s better to use a whole cut of beef chuck rather than pre-cut stew meat. Pre-cut stew meat often has extra fat and tough bits still attached. By cutting the beef yourself, you can trim off any unwanted pieces and make sure the meat is the same size.
- Browning the meat before pressure cooking adds a lot of flavor to the stew. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip this step and just add the beef along with the vegetables.
- Easy Beef Stew recipe uses whole baby yellow potatoes. They should be about 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches wide. If you don’t have baby potatoes, you can use regular potatoes and cut them into 1 1/2-inch cubes.
- A natural release helps the stew cook perfectly and become nice and tender. This can take up to 30 minutes. If you can’t wait that long, you can do a quick release after letting it sit for 15 minutes.
Recipe Variations
- You can use different vegetables in your beef stew recipe. Just make sure to keep the same amount of vegetables as beef. Some good choices are turnips, rutabaga, sweet potatoes, or butternut squash. If you want a simpler stew, you can replace the parsnips with more potatoes and carrots.
- The wine in this recipe cooks off all its alcohol as it simmers. If you don’t have wine or don’t want to use it, you can swap it with extra broth and add a tablespoon or two of balsamic vinegar when you add the peas.
- If you don’t have beef broth, you can use chicken or vegetable broth instead.
How to Store and Freeze
- To store leftover Instant Pot beef stew recipe, place it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It will stay good for up to 4 days.
- You can also freeze the leftover stew. Put it in a freezer-safe container, making sure to leave about an inch of space at the top. It will stay fresh for up to a month. When you’re ready to eat beef stew recipe, take it out and defrost it in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 532
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Protein: 41g
FAQs:
01. Is Beef Stew Recipe Gluten-Free?
Some beef stew recipes use flour to coat the beef before cooking, which helps thicken the stew. However, this adds gluten to the recipe. The good news is that this recipe doesn’t use flour. Instead, it uses cornstarch to thicken the stew. As long as you check that all of the ingredients, like the broth and Worcestershire sauce, are gluten-free, this beef stew recipe is safe to eat if you’re following a gluten-free diet.
02. Can I use frozen beef for this beef stew recipe?
It’s best to use fresh beef for this stew, but if you only have frozen beef, you can still use it. Just make sure to defrost the beef before cooking. If you’re in a rush, you can also cook it directly from frozen, but it will take a little longer to cook through.
03. How do I know when the stew is done?
The stew is done when the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. You can check the beef by using a fork. If it easily pulls apart, it’s perfectly cooked. If the beef is still tough, you may need to cook it a little longer.
04. Can I make this beef stew recipe without the Instant Pot?
Yes, you can make beef stew recipe on the stove or in a slow cooker. If using the stove, brown the beef in a large pot and then simmer the stew for about 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is tender. In a slow cooker, brown the beef first, then add everything and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
05. What if I don’t have fresh thyme?
If you don’t have fresh thyme, you can use dried thyme instead. Just use half the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated. If you don’t have thyme at all, you can try other herbs like rosemary or oregano for a slightly different flavor.
06. Can I add more vegetables to the stew?
Yes, you can add more vegetables if you like. Just make sure to keep the balance between vegetables and beef. You can try adding celery, parsnips, or turnips for extra flavor. Just cut them into pieces that are about the same size so they cook evenly.
07. What if I don’t have beef broth?
If you don’t have beef broth, you can use chicken or vegetable broth as a substitute. The stew will still taste great, but the flavor may be a little different. Beef broth gives the stew a rich, hearty flavor, but the other broths will work fine in a pinch.
08. Can I make the stew spicy?
If you like your stew with a bit of heat, you can add some chili flakes or hot sauce. Just add a small amount at a time, then taste and adjust until it reaches your preferred level of spiciness. You can also try adding a diced jalapeño for a fresh, spicy kick.
09. How do I store leftover beef stew recipe?
Leftover beef stew recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to a month. Just make sure to leave some space at the top of the container to allow for expansion as it freezes.
10. Can I add wine to the stew if I don’t have it?
If you don’t have wine, you can simply use extra broth instead. The wine adds depth of flavor, but it’s not essential. If you want to keep a similar flavor, try adding a tablespoon or two of balsamic vinegar along with the broth.
11. Is this beef stew recipe okay for kids?
Yes, this beef stew recipe is great for kids! It’s mild in flavor and doesn’t have any spicy ingredients. If you’re making it for younger children, you can always leave out the wine and let it cook off completely to make sure there’s no alcohol left.
