Pressure Cooker Beef Stew: Hearty Comfort Made Easy

Beef Stew in Pressure Cooker

Introduction

Nothing beats a hearty beef stew when you’re looking for comfort and nourishment, but waiting hours for flavors to develop isn’t always possible. That’s where this Beef Stew in a Pressure Cooker shines—it delivers that classic, slow-simmered taste in a fraction of the time, without sacrificing tenderness or depth of flavor. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or prepping for the week ahead, this recipe is as satisfying as it is simple.

Why Pressure Cooker Beef Stew is a Game-Changer

Pressure cooking locks in moisture and intensifies flavors, turning inexpensive cuts of beef into melt-in-your-mouth morsels in under an hour. The result? Deeply savory broth, fork-tender beef, and perfectly cooked vegetables—all achieved with minimal active cooking time. It’s a go-to recipe that satisfies both your schedule and your taste buds.

Building Big Flavor Quickly

The secret to an exceptional beef stew lies in browning the beef first, then layering in aromatics like onion, garlic, and herbs. Pressure cooking rapidly fuses all these flavors, so you get that slow-cooked richness in a fraction of the usual time. Adding the vegetables in the right order ensures everything is cooked just right, with potatoes and carrots remaining perfectly tender instead of mushy.

Making the Most of Your Pressure Cooker

Your pressure cooker does more than just shave time off your meal—it streamlines your cleanup, too! Sauté, simmer, and stew all in one pot. For a thicker stew, finish by stirring in a cornstarch slurry after pressure cooking and simmer with the lid off until thickened. This extra step leads to a luxuriously rich broth that clings to every morsel.

Serving Suggestions for Beef Stew

Serve this stew piping hot alongside a crusty loaf of bread or over creamy mashed potatoes to soak up every drop of the savory sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme for a burst of color and herbal freshness. It’s a complete meal in a bowl—and a reliable hit with both adults and kids.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes about 6 generous servings. Each portion contains roughly 450–500 calories, rich in protein, vitamin-rich veggies, and hearty potatoes. It’s a comforting, balanced meal ideal for weeknights or Sunday suppers.

Beef Stew in Pressure Cooker (Recap)

This recipe proves that with a pressure cooker, you can enjoy all the depth and warmth of a classic beef stew in record time. It’s the perfect combination of convenience and flavor—a sure crowd pleaser for any occasion.

Ingredients

2 pounds beef stew meat (chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
2 bay leaves
4 medium carrots, sliced into rounds
3 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

  1. Set your pressure cooker to the sauté function. Add olive oil and beef cubes. Brown the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding, seasoning with salt and pepper. Transfer browned beef to a plate and set aside.
  2. Add the diced onion and celery to the pot, sautéing until softened (about 3 minutes). Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Return the beef to the pressure cooker. Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Stir well to combine.
  4. Add potatoes and carrots (save the peas for later). Lock the lid and set the pressure cooker to high pressure for 35 minutes.
  5. When the timer beeps, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully do a quick release for any remaining pressure.
  6. Open the lid, discard bay leaves, and stir in the frozen peas. If you want a thicker stew, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water, stir into the stew, and simmer on sauté until thickened.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle stew into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Beef Stew in Pressure Cooker is tailor-made for meal prepping. Save and schedule this recipe for busy weeks—CookifyAI lets you plan meals, consolidate ingredient totals, and build smart shopping lists in seconds.

Planning Benefits:

  • Automatically calculates and consolidates ingredient quantities across all your recipes
  • Organizes your shopping list by store section for efficient, hassle-free trips
  • Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients, saving time and money
  • Simplifies weekly meal prep, so you can focus on cooking and enjoying your meals

Pro tip: Schedule this recipe alongside other favorites to see overlapping ingredients—like potatoes or onions—so you buy just what you need and cut kitchen waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes (plus time for pressure to build and release)
Total Time: About 1 hour

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