Super Easy Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe + Video

Instant Pot Beef Stew is an easy recipe, perfect for the novice pressure cooker user! The secret to a rich, flavorful beef stew from the Instant Pot is a bottle of beer. Add that to simple, fresh ingredients and a few seasonings, and you can have a delicious meal on the table in under an hour. Check out the recipe card below to make this amazing stew. (and it tastes delicious as leftovers the next day, too!) 

This Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe is loaded with tender beef, and is one of those easy Instant Pot recipes that everyone will love.

If you’re craving a simple homemade beef stew, this is it. Each bite is loaded with so much flavor, it’s literally the best beef stew recipe there is. 

This is my go-to comfort food recipe with minimal cook time, and I assure you that it’s perfect for chilly days.

The best thing about my new favorite Instant Pot recipe is that it’s loaded with delicious beef and other simple key ingredients. 

Keep this on your radar when you’re wanting a classic beef stew – it doesn’t get any better than this! I love the tender chucks of beef that pressure cooking offers! 

Instant Pot Beef Stew

This beef stew recipe for the Instant Pot yields meltingly tender bites of meat in a rich, flavorful broth that’s loaded with tasty vegetables and herbs.

Simply brown the meat, stir in the remaining ingredients, and set it to cook! You’ll have all that “simmered all day” flavor in a fraction of the time.

To see us make beef stew in the Instant Pot from start to finish, watch the video in this post!

If you don’t want to make pressure cooker beef stew, I have a stovetop version that’s just as delicious. 

Or, try one of my other Instant Pot stew recipes, like creamy Zuppa Toscana or hearty lentil.

Actually, we have a whole list of our favorite soups and stews that are easy and delicious!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Chuck Roast – This turns out far more tender than pre-cut, packaged stew meat, which can contain a variety of beef cuts. 
  
  You can also use chuck shoulder, chuck-eye roast, or top chuck when making this beef stew recipe in the Instant Pot. 
  
  Any of these will result in tender bites you can cut with your spoon!
  
• Veggies – Use the classic trio of carrots, onion, and celery for this beef stew Instant Pot recipe. 
  
  Individually, the flavors may seem mild, but they really enhance the final dish!
  
• Beer – I used a darker Belgian ale, which adds a more robust flavor than a white or pale ale. 
  
  Any dark ale is usually a good choice for pressure cooker beef stew, or you can try a stout for something bolder.
  
• Fresh Rosemary – While dried rosemary can be used in a pinch, you’ll end up with tiny bits floating in your bowl. 
  
  Instead, toss in a few springs to infuse Instant Pot beef stew with that herbal flavor, then remove them before serving.
  
• Beef Stock and Base – The stock is your flavorful cooking liquid, while Better Than Bouillon base adds extra concentrated flavor. 
  
  Don’t mix the base with water as directed — use it straight from the jar.

The good news is that this simple stew can be really versatile as well.

Adding other seasonings like garlic powder, fresh herbs, brown sugar, onion powder, fresh parsley, and more to this delicious beef stew is a breeze. 

You can also add sweet potatoes, pearl onions, red wine, and more! The beef stew meat is the perfect seasoned meat that offers deep flavors in every bite.

You can easily turn this into the perfect Instant Pot beef stew recipe for you and your taste buds! 

Prep Ahead

• Cut beef into cubes
• Peel and chop vegetables

Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Pressure Cooker Beef Stew

• Brown the meat first. 

This creates a lovely crust on the meat and adds extra flavor to the entire dish as well!

And you can do it right in the Instant Pot, keeping this a true one pot recipe.

• Don’t cut the veggies too small. 

Larger chunks will hold their shape, while smaller pieces may turn to mush by the time the pressure cooker beef stew is done cooking.

• Need an alcohol-free version? 

Simply replace the ale with extra stock. Or, substitute an equal amount of mushroom stock for another layer of flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Thick slices of crusty bread are the perfect pairing for soups and stews, and this Instant Pot beef stew is no exception!

For a lighter meal, pair a small bowl with a side salad or some roasted vegetables.

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

• Instant Pot – This is the one I use.
• Quality Knives and a big solid Cutting Board make prepping a breeze and are well worth the investment.

Beef Stew Instant Pot FAQ

Storing and Reheating Instant Pot Stew

Once cooled, transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days.

Instant Pot beef stew also holds up really well in the freezer. Leave some room at the top of the storage container for the liquid to expand as it freezes. 

Use within 3 months and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Originally published January 2018, updated and republished December 2024

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