Description

Instant Pot Beef Stew is a rich, comforting one-pot meal that turns tender stew beef into spoonfuls of cozy goodness with potatoes, carrots, celery, and a deeply savory gravy. Prepared under pressure in about an hour, it delivers slow-simmered flavor without the long simmer. Browning the beef first, then combining aromatics and beef broth creates a robust, family-friendly stew that warms you from the inside out and is perfect for weeknights or weekend comfort dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs stew beef, cut into chunks
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 carrots, sliced
3 potatoes, diced
2 celery stalks, sliced
3 cups beef broth
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (halal/gluten-free if needed)
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp soy sauce (the secret ingredient for richer flavor; use gluten-free if needed)
2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry, optional for thicker gravy)

Instructions

Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and heat olive oil. Season beef with salt and pepper and brown in batches until golden.
Add onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes, then stir in garlic.
Stir in tomato paste, coating the beef and vegetables.
Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, carrots, potatoes, and celery.
Close the lid, set valve to Sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 35 minutes.
Allow a 10-minute natural release, then quick release remaining pressure.
For a thicker gravy, stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer on Sauté for 2–3 minutes until thickened.
Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning, and serve warm.

Notes

For a thicker gravy, use the cornstarch slurry after cooking and simmer 2–3 minutes on Sauté.
Use gluten-free soy sauce and gluten-free Worcestershire if needed to keep this recipe gluten-free.
Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes for tender beef, then quick release remaining steam.
Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Leftovers refrigerate for 3–4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes (including pressure time)
Category: Main Dish
Method: Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: Approximately 320 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 800 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 32 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg

Keywords: Instant Pot Beef Stew, Instant Pot beef stew recipe, pressure cooker beef stew, beef stew, comfort food, hearty stew, potatoes carrots celery, easy weeknight dinner