Amazing Beef Stew (Instant Pot & Slow Cooker) Recipe
This Amazing Beef Stew recipe delivers a hearty, flavorful meal perfect for any occasion. Whether you use an Instant Pot for a quick, pressure-cooked dinner or a slow cooker for a hands-off, all-day simmered stew, you get tender chunks of beef, nutritious vegetables, and a rich, savory broth thickened to perfection. The blend of tomato sauce, beef broth, and seasonings creates a comforting, classic stew that’s easy to make and sure to satisfy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Beef and Meat
- 2 pounds chuck roast, cut into bite-sized pieces (or beef stew meat)
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or crushed
- 4 carrots, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
Liquids and Sauces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or butter)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 14 ounces tomato sauce (about 1 3/4 cups)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or Worcestershire sauce)
Seasonings and Thickeners
- 1 teaspoon dried basil (or your favorite herb)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons corn starch
- 3 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Prepare the Instant Pot: Turn the Instant Pot on the "Sauté" setting and add olive oil or butter. For extra flavor, add the beef pieces and sauté them until browned on all sides. This step can be skipped if you prefer a quicker method by adding beef directly with vegetables.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until they become tender and slightly browned, enhancing the stew’s depth of flavor.
- Add Vegetables and Seasonings: Stir in the carrots, potatoes, celery, beef broth, tomato sauce, soy or Worcestershire sauce, dried basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything gently to combine all ingredients well.
- Pressure Cook the Stew: Close the Instant Pot lid, seal the vent, and set to pressure cook on high for 45 minutes. Press "Cancel" to stop the "Sauté" mode before selecting manual pressure cook and setting the timer.
- Release Pressure and Thicken: After cooking, carefully release the pressure and open the lid. In a separate bowl, whisk the corn starch and water until smooth. Add this mixture to the stew, stir gently, then close the lid again and let it sit for about 5 minutes to thicken the gravy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once thickened, the beef stew is ready to serve. Enjoy a warm, comforting bowl of this savory stew.
- Slow Cooker Method: Combine all ingredients except corn starch and water in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours or high for about 5 hours until the beef is tender.
- Thicken Slow Cooker Stew: Whisk together corn starch and water until smooth. Stir into the stew, cover again, and cook for about 5 more minutes until the stew thickens.
- Serve: Once thickened, the slow-cooked beef stew is ready to enjoy.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, brown the beef before pressure cooking or slow cooking.
- You can substitute Worcestershire sauce if soy sauce is not preferred.
- The stew thickens nicely with the cornstarch slurry, so do not skip this step.
- Add vegetables in uniform bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- The recipe works well with chuck roast or pre-cut stew meat.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days or freeze for longer storage.
