Instant Pot Beef Stew – The Forked Spoon

This Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe is an easy and delicious weeknight dinner made by pressure-cooking tender chunks of beef in a savory and comforting broth packed with creamy potatoes and nutritious veggies. An Instant Pot favorite, you can have this mouthwatering beef stew ready and on the table in just over an hour!

The Best Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe

Rain or shine, beef stew is one of those classic comfort foods that’s hard to resist. Filled with tender chunks of beef and hearty veggies, it’s a feel-good family-friendly dinner anyone can make.

Today I’m sharing the best beef stew recipe!

Guaranteed to warm you from the inside out, this hearty stew is cooks entirely in your pressure cooker for a high-speed version of everyone’s favorite winter-time stew.

Unlike stove-top or slow cooker beef stew which takes hours to cook, this Instant Pot version is ready in just a fraction of the time. The result is tender, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth chunks of meat ready to be devoured by the whole family.

If you’re new to the Instant Pot, this is the Instant Pot I own and love.

How Do You Make Instant Pot Beef Stew

The first step is to brown the chunks of beef directly in your Instant Pot using the sauté function. You may need to do this in two batches, but it should only take about 10 minutes or so, total. If you’re in a hurry you can skip this step.

Next, return all the beef back to your pressure cooker and sprinkle with a little flour. Stir immediately to prevent the flour from burning.

Add the garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, diced tomatoes, onions, potatoes, carrots, celery, and star anise. Mix everything together really well. Now, this is super important – use a metal spatula to scrape off any brown bits the may be stuck to the bottom of the pot.

Switch from sautéing mode to manual/pressure cook setting. Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. After the time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before doing a quick release.

Finally, remove the lid, remove the star anise, and set your Instant Pot to sauté mode. In a small bowl stir 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a thick slurry. Stir into your beef stew.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

What is the Best Beef for Stew?

Your best bet is to look for pre-cut “stew meat” sold at your local grocery store. This will help make your life a little easier. Other delicious options include:

• Beef Chuck, aka – chuck shoulder, chuck roast
• Bottom round roast
• Rump roast
• Top round
• Round tip roast
• Pot roast
• Boneless short ribs

Meat that has some fat on it will produce more tender, melt-in-your-mouth, chunks of beef.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip the natural release? If you need to do a quick release immediately after the cooking time is complete, you can, but be sure to follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions. I highly recommend a 10-minute natural release given that the contents include boiling hot liquid.

Do I have to add star anise? Nope. The addition of star anise is simply a recommendation. If you know that you do not like star anise, or you simply do not have any on hand, this beef stew will still taste delicious without it.

How many people will this Instant Pot beef stew serve? This beef stew fed me, my husband, and my son for two nights. So six people. My son eats a lot of beef and I eat a lot of vegetables.

What can I serve with beef stew? You can serve this delicious dish with egg noodles, crusty bread, or a light green salad.

What other vegetables can I add to this Instant Pot Beef Stew? Parsnips, beets (this will change the color and change the flavor a bit), frozen peas, sweet potatoes, and kohlrabi are all yummy options.

More Instant Pot Recipes to Try,

• Easy Instant Pot Risotto with Butternut Squash
• Easy Instant Pot Bone Broth Recipe
• Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
• How to Cook Perfect Instant Pot Rice
• Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
• Instant Pot Chana Masala Recipe
• Instant Pot Minestrone Soup Recipe

Have you tried this Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe?

Tell me about it in the comments below! I always love to hear your thoughts. And tag me #theforkedspoon on Instagram if you’ve made any of my recipes, I always love to see what you’re cooking in the kitchen.