Instant Pot Beef Stew

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Cold winter nights are practically begging for this Instant Pot Beef Stew. Tender cubes of beef, sweet carrots and creamy potatoes are cooked in a savory and hearty broth. This recipe is a twist on a classic comfort food that cuts the cooking time but keeps all of the flavor!

A white bowl is filled with cooked beef stew, with a spoon visible in the stew. Sliced bread and a kitchen towel are visible in the background.

When it's cold outside, nothing is better than a comforting bowl of stew. Filled with beef, a silky sauce, and vegetables, it's practically a full meal in a bowl. Cooking beef stew in the Instant Pot speeds up the cooking time and the high pressure environment makes the meat more tender and flavorful.

Recipe Ingredients

Beef stew meat or sirloin steak: Buy meat that has already been cubed to save time.
Yukon gold potatoes: Known for their smooth texture and buttery taste, they also hold their shape in stews.
Carrots: Their natural sugars carmelize when cooked, adding sweetness to the stew.
Onion: These add a savory and sweet flavor to the dish when cooked.
Beef broth: Brings a robust beef flavor to the stew, and helps keep the ingredients tender and juicy.
Tomato paste: Adds a concentrated tomato flavor and thickens the stew.
Worcestershire sauce: Tangy, sweet, savory and spicy--this sauce adds a umami taste and a complex and deep flavor to the stew.
Lawry's Seasoned Salt: A blend of herbs, spices and salt, it adds a savory, rich flavor.
Dried thyme: This has an earthy, slightly peppery flavor.
Black pepper: Delivers a little kick with its bold taste, enhancing the other flavors of the stew as well.

Overhead image of chopped beef on a cutting board, surrounded by chopped carrots, potatoes and spices in individual bowls.

How to Make This Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe

Be sure to see the recipe card for full ingredients and instructions.

Mix. In a small bowl, combine seasoning (Lawry’s seasoning salt, thyme, pepper); sprinkle evenly over beef stew meat, then toss to coat the pieces.

Cubed pieces of beef are in a bowl next to a small bowl with spices.

Image of cubed beef covered with spices in a bowl.

Sauté. Using your Instant Pot sauté function, add the vegetable oil. When hot, brown the seasoned beef stew meat for 2 minutes, and turn the meat over, and cook an additional 2 minutes. Remove the browned meat to a bowl and set aside.

Beef is sauteed in an instant pot. A wooden spoon is visible in the pot, and spices in individual bowls are arranged around it.

Stir. Turn the sauté function off; carefully pour the beef broth and water into the Instant Pot insert. Add the tomato paste and stir to combine; add the quartered onion pieces and the browned stew meat.

Cut onions and cubed beef are cooked in broth in an instant pot.

Cook. Place lid on the Instant Pot and cook on Manual Mode, using the HIGH pressure button, for 20 minutes. Let it natural release for 10 minutes, then use the quick release.

Chopped potatoes and carrots are added to broth in an Instant Pot.

Combine. Add the chopped potatoes and carrots, stir and place the lid back on. Cook on Manual Mode, using the HIGH pressure button, for 12 additional minutes.

An overhead image of beef stew in a bowl with carrots, potatoes, onion and parsley visible.

Recipe FAQ's

Can I make beef stew in a Slow Cooker instead?

If you prefer to use this recipe in a Slow Cooker, brown the seasoned meat in a skillet on the stovetop for the same amount of time. Follow the recipe directions replacing the Instant Pot for the Slow Cooker. Cook on LOW for 8 to 8 ½ hours, or until potatoes are tender.

Can I freeze this beef stew recipe?

Yes, you can freeze leftovers. Simply allow to cool and place in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. When you're ready to eat it, thaw the leftovers and reheat using the instructions in the recipe card.

Top Tips

If you prefer a thicker gravy, you can make a slurry: in a small bowl add equal amounts of cornstarch and cold water: 1 Tablespoon cornstarch + 1 Tablespoon cold water; whisk till smooth, and absolutely no lumps. Add into the liquid and cook just a few minutes to thicken using the sauté function of the Instant Pot.

A bowl filled with beef stew is in the foreground, with a spoonful of stew raised closer to the camera.

Recipe Variations

Instead of pre-bought stew meat, you can purchase a beef roast and cut the meat into 1-inch cubes. The best roast choice to purchase would be a chuck roast, followed by a bottom round roast. It’s perfectly fine to buy the cheaper cut of meat here.
You may use Idaho Russet potatoes instead of the Yukon Gold. They may not fare as well as the Yukon Gold because of their higher starch content.

Storage & Reheating

To store: Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.
To reheat: Place serving in a pan and reheat on the stove until warm throughout. You can also microwave individual servings in a microwave safe bowl until uniformly heated.

What to serve with Instant Pot Beef Stew

If you want to keep things simple, pair your beef stew with a green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing. If you're up for putting in a little more effort, here are some easy side dishes that will make this a full meal.

Easy Garlic Bread
Air Fryer Asparagus
Pan roasted green beans

Cooked beef stew is displayed in a white bowl in the foreground. Behind it, an Instant Pot and vegetables are visible.

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