Instant Pot Beef Stew | Tender, Hearty, Savory, and Ready in Minutes!

Introduction

Instant Pot Beef Stew delivers all the classic comforts of slow-cooked beef, vegetables, and rich gravy — in a fraction of the time. This method not only shortcuts hours of simmering but also locks in more flavor and tenderness. It’s a game-changer for busy families or anyone craving a hearty, satisfying meal without the wait.

Why This Instant Pot Beef Stew is a Weeknight Favorite

What makes this dish shine is its incredible efficiency and unbeatable results. The Instant Pot transforms even tougher cuts of beef into meltingly tender bites, while vegetables retain their texture and flavor. The result: a deeply savory, ultra-comforting stew ready in about an hour — perfect for cold nights, meal prepping, or feeding a crowd.

Essential Tips for Flavorful, Tender Stew

Select well-marbled beef stew meat for maximum flavor and tenderness. Give your beef a quick sear using the Instant Pot’s sauté function for added depth of flavor before pressure cooking. Adding a splash of red wine and a generous spoonful of tomato paste creates a rich, robust broth, while the pressure-cooking method ensures everything achieves that slow-cooked taste, fast.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Instant Pot Stew Recipe

Layering flavors is key: start with sautéed onions and garlic, brown the beef, then add carrots, potatoes, and peas for a classic stew full of varied tastes and textures. Customize the fresh herbs or root vegetables to suit your preference. This one-pot meal is both adaptable and perfect for using up what’s on hand.

Serving Suggestions for the Ultimate Beef Stew

Serve your stew piping hot with a side of crusty bread or fluffy rice. A sprinkle of fresh parsley brightens the flavors, while a dollop of sour cream adds a creamy finish if desired. Leftovers are even better the next day, making this a fantastic recipe to batch cook and enjoy throughout the week.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes approximately 6 hearty servings. Each bowl is packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients—generally around 350-400 calories per serving (depending on cut of beef and vegetables used). Satisfying and nourishing, it’s the wholesome comfort food your dinner routine needs.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to CookifyAI to instantly generate a smart, organized shopping list that sorts ingredients by store section. Spend less time shopping and more time enjoying your meals!

Instructions

1. Select “Sauté” on your Instant Pot and add olive oil. Season beef with salt and pepper. Sear beef in batches until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer browned beef to a plate.
2. Add onions to the pot and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 more minute.
3. Return beef to the pot. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and (if using) red wine. Cook 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld and alcohol to evaporate.
4. Add carrots, potatoes, beef broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Stir well, then secure Instant Pot lid and set valve to “Sealing.”
5. Pressure cook on High for 35 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully quick-release any remaining pressure.
6. Discard bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Stir in frozen peas. If thicker broth is desired, create a slurry with cornstarch and cold water, add to pot, and simmer on “Sauté” until thickened, about 2 minutes.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot, ideally with your favorite bread or rice.

Weekly Meal Planning

Instant Pot Beef Stew is an ideal meal prep staple: it reheats beautifully and pairs with a variety of grains and sides. Save and schedule this recipe in CookifyAI and automatically consolidate all your ingredients with other planned meals for the week.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates how much beef, broth, and produce you’ll need for multiple meals
• Organizes your grocery list by department—no more wandering the store!
• Reduces waste and double-buys by tracking ingredients across all recipes
• Makes meal prep streamlined and stress-free for busy weeks

Pro tip: Planning both lunch and dinner? Schedule multiple recipes—CookifyAI will combine similar ingredients, ensuring you only buy (and use) exactly what you need.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

This Instant Pot Beef Stew recipe brings the warming, savory goodness of a classic stew to your table in record time—making weeknight comfort food easier than ever.