Imagine diving into a steaming bowl of rich, tender beef stew that tastes like it's been simmering all day, but is ready in under an hour! This Instant Pot White Beef Stew is your secret weapon for transforming tough meat into melt-in-your-mouth perfection, with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Whether you're a busy professional, a home cook looking for easy weeknight meals, or someone craving pure comfort food, this recipe will revolutionize your dinner game and have your family begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
- 4 cups beef broth
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by cutting beef stew meat into uniform 1-inch cubes, ensuring even cooking. Pat meat dry with paper towels to promote better browning.
- Set Instant Pot to "Sauté" mode and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, brown beef cubes in batches, creating a golden crust on all sides. This step develops deep flavor and helps seal in meat juices.
- Remove browned meat and set aside. In the same pot, sauté chopped onions and celery until they become translucent and slightly softened, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Return browned meat to the Instant Pot. Add beef broth, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and ensure meat is mostly submerged in liquid.
- Close Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing position. Select "Meat/Stew" setting and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes.
- After cooking completes, allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully perform quick release for remaining pressure.
- Add diced potatoes and sliced carrots to the stew. Close lid and cook on high pressure for additional 5 minutes.
- Once cooking is complete, do a quick pressure release. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Let stew rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.
Tips
- Always pat your beef dry before browning - this ensures a beautiful golden crust and deeper flavor development.
- Brown meat in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot, which can lead to steaming instead of proper searing.
- Use high-quality beef stew meat with some marbling for the most tender results.
- Don't skip the natural pressure release - this helps tenderize the meat further and keeps it juicy.
- For extra richness, consider adding a splash of red wine or a tablespoon of tomato paste when sautéing vegetables.
- If you prefer a thicker stew, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water and stir in after cooking to create a quick slurry.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme make an excellent garnish and add a bright finishing touch.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 110mg
