Quick and easy Instant Pot Beef Stew combines chuck roast, onions, potatoes, and carrots with paprika and thyme in a tasty beef sauce that is thickened right inside the instant pot. This dish is the ultimate in comfort food and with an instant pot, it is done in no time at all.
How to make Instant Pot Beef Stew
First, season the beef chunks generously with salt and fresh ground black pepper. Press the saute button on the instant pot. Add just enough olive oil to cover the surface of the pot once the pot reaches temperature. Let the oil get good and hot. Add the beef chunks and cook until the meat browns. Then flip and cook until the other side is seared and browned. Work in batches removing the beef to a plate as it browns.
Heat just a little more olive oil in the pot. Saute the onion until soft, and then cancel the sauté so the pot starts cooling. Add the minced garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and fresh thyme. Cook with the residual heat for 1 minute while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to scrape the brown bits off the bottom.
Then, add the cooked beef back to the pot along with the carrots, potatoes, and beef broth. Seal the instant pot and pressure cook on high pressure for about 24 minutes. It takes instant pots about 5-15 minutes to come to pressure. Let the instant pot naturally release pressure for just 10 minutes before pressing the quick-release button and removing the lid.
Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water. Stir into the instant pot and continue gently stirring for a couple of minutes or until thickened. Top the stew with fresh chopped herbs like rosemary and thyme.
Pressure Cooker Beef Stew Recipe tips
- For optimal flavor, I like to use chuck roast for this recipe. I trim it up and cut it into bite-size pieces. You can also purchase pre-cut beef stew meat. It might be a chuck roast, or it might be a hodge podge of pieces and ends from different cuts. Read here on why stew meat may not be the best choice for your stew.
- Peel the carrots so that the beautiful orange color bursts through. It makes the whole dish look more aesthetically pleasing.
- Don’t add the oil to the instant pot until the pot is hot. Don’t add the beef until the oil is hot.
- When browning the beef, work in batches and don’t crowd the instant pot.
- If the beef and the vegetables are not tender when you finish cooking, then simply lock the lid and cook for 3-4 more minutes, followed by a quick release.
- Only let the pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, as going too long may cause the veggies to be too soft.
- Each instant pot cooks slightly differently, and you may know enough about yours to increase or decrease certain times.
- Other vegetables to add include celery, sweet potatoes, parsnips, and peas. If adding peas, use frozen peas and add them at the end with the cornstarch slurry.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at a reduced power.
What to serve with beef stew
- Crusty bread with soft cream butter
- Simple garden salad
- Corn muffins
- White rice or brown rice
- Dinner rolls
- Homemade biscuits
- Popovers
More soup and stew recipes
PrintInstant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
This delicious and easy Beef Stew recipe is comfort food at its best with tender beef, onions, sweet carrots, and potatoes all in a tasty tomato beef sauce seasoned with paprika and thyme.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: main meal beef
- Method: instant pot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 ½ lb. boneless beef chuck roast trimmed and cut in bite-size 1-inch pieces
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
- 2–3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme ( plus more for garnish)
- 4 medium carrots peel and cut into 1 ½ inch pieces
- 3 medium Yukon gold potatoes chunked
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 ½ tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- Season the beef cubes generously with salt and fresh ground black pepper.
- Press the saute button on the instant pot. Once the pot reaches temperature add just enough oil to coat the bottom of the pot.
- Once the oil is real hot. Add the beef chunks and cook until seared and browned. Flip and cook until the other side is seared and browned. Work in batches removing the beef to a plate as it browns.
- Add just a little more olive oil to the pot. Saute the onion until soft and then cancel the saute so the pot starts cooling. Add the garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and fresh thyme. Cook with the residual heat for 1 minute while stirring constantly.
- If needed add just a little more olive oil to the pot. Saute the onion until soft and then cancel the saute so the pot starts cooling. Add the garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and fresh thyme. Cook with the residual heat for 1 minute while stirring constantly.
- Add the cooked beef back to the pot along with the carrots, potatoes, and beef broth. Seal the instant pot and pressure cook on high pressure for about 24 minutes. Let the instant pot naturally release pressure for just 10 minutes before pressing the quick release button and removing the lid.
- Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the instant pot and continue gently stirring for a couple of minutes or until thickened. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
Notes
- I like to use chuck roast for this recipe. I trim it up and cut it into bite-size pieces. You can also purchase pre-cut stew meat. It might be chuck roast or it might be a hodge podge of pieces and ends from different cuts. Read here on why stew meat may not be the best choice for your stew.
- Peel the carrots so that the beautiful orange color bursts through. It makes the whole dish look more aesthetically pleasing.
- Don’t add the oil to the instant pot until the pot is hot. Don’t add the beef until the oil is hot.
- When browning the beef work in batches and don’t crowd the instant pot.
- If the beef and the vegetables are not tender when you finish cooking then simply lock the lid and cook for 3-4 more minutes followed by a quick release.
- Only let the pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes as going too long may cause the carrots and potatoes to be too soft.
- Each instant pot cooks slightly different and you may know enough about yours to increase or decrease certain times
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at a reduced power.
Keywords: how to make beef stew in an instant pot, beef stew instant pot recipe, how long to cook stew in an instant pot
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katie
This was so hearty and delicious! Perfect for fall!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine. Katie!
Sandra
This has been a favorite at my house for cold nights! So comforting and delicious!
★★★★★
Lavanda
Love this Instant Pot Beef Stew recipe! Tried it for dinner tonight, and it was a hit with the whole family.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Lavanda! So glad that you liked the stew!
Celebrate Woman Today
Instant Pot cooking is one of my favorites. I have my recipes I do often in it. The flavor preservation and aroma from each recipe has a WOW effect on anybody who partakes in such meal.
Tamara
The magic of chuck roast, onions, potatoes, and carrots, blended with paprika and thyme, creates a flavorful symphony that’s not only delicious but also quick and easy thanks to the Instant Pot. Perfect for those cozy, time-crunched evenings when you crave ultimate comfort in a bowl.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
So true. We love to make it in the instant pot.
Tammy
This stew was delicious, easy, and quick. Just what you need with a house full of kids. I love my pressure cooker. Thanks for the recipe.
Melissa Cushing
This is the perfect recipe for fall…. hearty and warm and nourishing! I am so pinning this one as I love that it is made in the instant pot!
★★★★★
Rhian
This is the kind of meal that we cook quite often during the colder months. I don’t think you can beat a warming stew and beef is our go to
Yeah Lifestyle
This is such a good recipe. Beef stew is one of our favourites, especially during these colder months. Delicious!
★★★★★
Lisa
This stew was so comforting and filling for autumn. Also quick and easy in the instant pot. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Beth.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Lisa! Thank you!
Isabellita
Mouthwatering beef stew, perfect comfort in minutes! Instant Pot magic!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
I agree 100%, Isabellita!
Brandy
I love this quick and easy instant pot beef stew recipe. It’s the first for me using an instant pot, and you made it so easy to make. Thank you for this tasty dish.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
So glad that you liked it. Soon you will become a master at the instant pot.
Allyson
This is so comforting for the cold weather that we’re having! So quick and easy!
★★★★★
Erik
Such an incredible dish! I love my instant pot. Everything is so quick and easy.
Amanda
This was absolutely amazing! So quick, easy, and delicious!
Lorie
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can. But you will need you need to do steps 1-5 in a skillet.
Laura Norton
How long do you think it would take in a slow cooker?
Beth Pierce
Sorry about the delay. Busy weeks! Cook on low for 8-9 hours or high for 4-5 hours adding carrots and potatoes celery halfway through the cooking process.
Patricia Chamberlain
Beef stew is a big hit in my house! I can’t wait to make this!
★★★★★
Fransic verso
This is a delicious dish and I like that it’s quick to cook. Something I like since I don’t have much time for cooking. Thank you for sharing!
Oli
I tried this for our family dinner and it turned out perfect! They all loved it thanks to your recipe.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Awesome!
Blair Villanueva
My hubby loves a good beef stew, especially during colder and rainy days. Thanks for sharing your beef stew recipe, definitely something that we would love to try!
★★★★★
Caroline
This happens to be one of my favorite food. And you’ve cooked it just the way I like it with carrots, potatoes.
Neely Moldovan
One of our favorite things to make! We make it at least once a week!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Neely!
Bryan
Beef is my favorite meat so naturally I love beef stew! I like mine with homemade biscuits.
★★★★★
Bob
Wow, this looks so good. And you can make it fast which is something I want since I can’t spend hours cooking. Thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Tracy
I love Beef Stew for Autumn/Winter months for sure. I wish I had an Instant Pot. I have always been afraid of the high pressure element of using one which is why I still don’t have one. I am going to have to try one out at a friend or family members house and see how I feel. I use my air fryer more than anything else at this point as I am single!
Anosa Malanga
Such a tasty and quick stew. It was the perfect weeknight stew. I garnished it with chopped fresh rosemary! So delicious!
Jasmine Martin
I am a huge fan of beef stew and I love this recipe. Actually, the whole family loved the recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Kat
I have cooked beef stew before, but this recipe has a different twist to it. My family loved it so much that they wanted more to take home with them.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kat! I am so glad that they liked it!
Ntensibe Edgar
I love this instant pot beef stew! I love it with some bread and or rice, for my Sunday dinner.
Dominique
I love beef stew but have never tried it in the instantpot! It was so good!
★★★★★
Melanie E
I’ve never made stew before but I’ve always worried about how much work goes into it. I do love that this can all be done in one pot. Great for the husband as it’s one of his favourites.
★★★★★
Sonia Seivwright
I love beef stew. My grandma made this best. Those veggies were so tender. The best.
Tammy
This was so comforting and delicious…a perfect stew for the season! I will make this again and again!
★★★★★
Rose Ann Sales
Wow! This was absolutely delicious and easy! It is a real keeper!
Ramil Hinolan
Eating something hot during cold weather is perfect.. I like this beef stew extra spicy with a lot of black pepper.
★★★★★
Yaya
Can’t beat a good stew for Autumn. I will definitely be making this.
Patricia Chamberlain
I’ve been looking for new recipes to make in my instant pot! This looks so good!
★★★★★
Talya Stone
This looks delicious! For me this Autumn has been all about the Instant Pot especially as it is so much more energy efficient. Definitely going to be making this over the coming weeks!
Samantha Donnelly
This is definitely one of my favorite comfort foods in the colder weather. Something we love especially on cold grey days
★★★★★
Stephanie
This was so easy in the Instant Pot! I have always made beef stew in the slow cooker, but this is so much faster. Perfect for the cooler fall weather we had move in today.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Maureen
Yum! We love beef stew. It’s such a hearty meal. Perfect too for this cooler weather we are finally getting!
Maria
Beef stew is one of my favorite things to make during the fall and winter. I love your recipe. The ingredients are great, and I LOVE how quick and easy it is to make.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Maria! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Stephanie
One of the best recipes I have made in my insta pot! It is so hearty and tasty – the whole family loves it.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! I am so glad that they loved it!
Tayler
I made this beef stew for dinner last night and it was incredible! So full of flavor and easy too!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Tayler! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Nikki
Looks hearty, comforting and full of great flavors. Can’t wait to enjoy a big bowl of this fantastic stew.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Nikki! Enjoy!
Ieva
Absolutely love your instant pot recipes, and this was no exception! So hearty and delicious – truly family cooking! The thyme and Worcestershire sauce makes all the difference in meals like this 🙂
Beth Pierce
So true! I am happy that you liked it! I love this time of the year!
Louise
Super tasty, perfect for autumn and winter. Thanks for the great recipe!
★★★★★
Catalina
I am sure that this beef stew will be my new favorite! It looks so inviting!
★★★★★
Cathy
Yum! I made this stew for my family and now it’s our favorite recipe! Love how tender the beef is.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Cathy! So glad that you like it!
Erin
Such a satisfying dish! The whole family loved it. We will make it again!
Sandra
This is the best recipe for beef stew I’ve ever tried! So flavorful and I love how easy you can make it an Instant pot!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much, Sandra! So happy that you like it!