Instant Pot Recipes Beef Stew That Feels Like Home
When I first pulled out my Instant Pot, I wasn’t sure if beef stew would ever taste as rich as the one simmering on grandma’s stove all afternoon. Turns out, it does—and faster than I could set the table. This recipe is my go-to when the weather turns chilly or when life gets busy but I still crave that hearty, soul-hugging comfort food.
The beauty of instant pot recipes is how much flavor you get without babysitting a pot all day. This stew packs tender beef, potatoes, carrots, and a broth that feels like it’s been cooking for hours. Honestly, it’s the best instant pot recipe I’ve made when I need something filling but still simple. My family calls it the weeknight hero—quick enough for dinner yet cozy enough for Sunday supper.
If you’ve been scrolling through Instant Pot Dinner Ideas, this one deserves a spot at the top. It’s hearty, forgiving, and about as foolproof as cooking gets. Instant Pot recipes easy like this remind me why I keep that bulky pot on my counter instead of hiding it in the pantry. Give it a try—you might just end up adding it to your list of instant pot dinner recipes to repeat every week.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, cut into chunks
- 4 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add olive oil and brown the beef chunks in batches, removing them once seared.
- Add the onion and garlic to the pot, stirring until softened.
- Return the beef to the pot along with carrots, potatoes, broth, tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
- Lock the lid, set to high pressure, and cook for 35 minutes.
- Allow a natural release for 10 minutes before carefully venting any remaining pressure.
- If you’d like a thicker stew, mix cornstarch with water and stir it into the pot using sauté mode until it thickens.
- Serve hot with bread for dipping.