Instant Pot Beef Stew (Hearty, Tasty Family Favorite!)
This Instant Pot beef stew is a hearty and savory combination of tender beef chunks, carrots, potatoes, and celery that everyone will love! Use your handy pressure cooker to have this typically slow-simmered dinner on the table in no time. You won't believe how easy this recipe is!
½tablespoonthyme(dried, or use 6-8 stems of fresh thyme)
1tablespooncornstarch(optional for thickening the stew)
Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela
Instructions
To start, add the olive oil and heat your Instant Pot on the saute function. Once the oil starts sizzling, add your beef and season it in the instant pot.
Sear the beef cubes until browned on all sides then add the diced onions and minced garlic. Saute for 1 minute then de-glaze the instant pot with beef stock. Stir to break up all the browned bits or pieces from the bottom of the pot.
Add the remaining stew ingredients including potatoes, carrots, celery, bay leaves, and thyme then seal the Instant Pot securely and close the vent knob. Set for 35 minutes of high-pressure cooking using the manual setting.
Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow your Instant Pot to natural pressure release (NPR) for 10 minutes then vent completely. Thicken with a cornstarch slurry if desired (mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and whisk into your stew).
Serve with more fresh thyme for garnish.
Notes
You can also pre-sear your cut-up meat on the stovetop in a skillet at medium-high heat instead of using the saute function. I will sometimes do this in a cast iron pan to get a great sear. Then jump to step 3.
To thicken your stew without flour. You can use the food processor to finely chop walnuts and add them to the soup.(They are a natural thickening agent, like tomatoes.)
To thicken your stew with flour. Start by combining 3 tablespoons of flour with 2 cups cold water and whisk until smooth then whisk into your stew until well combined. Stir frequently on saute for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
To thicken your stew with cornstarch. You can add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to a half cup of cold water, whisk until you have a smooth slurry, and then whisk into the stew.