This Instant Pot beef stew is a versatile recipe that can be adjusted in so many ways. Tender chunks of round steak, sweet potatoes and carrots simmer in beef broth and tomato juice with garlic, basil, parsley and paprika until the broth turns rich and savory.

There are two ways to make it: the easy way, where everything goes into the pot at once, or a slightly longer version that builds even more flavor. Either way, it is comfort food in a bowl.

The Best Easy Instant Pot Beef Stew (Two Ways)

You can make this as a quick weeknight meal, when you are short on time and still want to bring something delicious and nutritious to the table. You can turn it into a romantic dinner and pair it with some red wine. It can be comfort food for the family to enjoy on a Sunday lunch. No matter the type of meal you are looking for, you are sure to find a way to make it happen with this basic stew recipe!

There are actually two ways you can make this stew in the Instant Pot: the easy way that’s ready in about 40 minutes, or the slightly longer (but even yummier!) version. The easy version is as simple as it sounds. Throw everything in the Instant Pot, cook and serve. It provides your family with a great meal that wasn’t a hassle to put together, with about 10 minutes of prep time. I’d say that’s as practical as stew gets!

The longer version takes a couple of backroads (but totally worth it!), and let me tell you, it will transform a simple stew into a hearty meal layered with flavors. I also like to use my homemade stock, because I get to make a very rich and flavorful stock which adds to the flavor of the final dish!

Whatever you do, homemade stock or store bought, seared meat or everything straight into the pot, this recipe will give you comfort food and plenty of room to tweak the ingredients and method to your liking.

Why You’ll Love This Beef Stew

Weeknight fast. The simple method is just one pot and about 35 minutes of pressure cooking.
Hearty and wholesome. Beef, sweet potatoes and carrots make a filling, nutritious meal.
Two ways to cook. Dump and go, or sear first for deeper flavor.
Easy to customize. Add grains, swap the stock or serve it over rice, pasta or bread.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here is what goes into this pressure cooker beef stew and why each one is there. Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.

Round steak: Cut into 1/2 inch chunks. Round steak is lean and affordable, and pressure cooking breaks it down until tender. Beef chuck is a richer swap with a little more fat.
Beef broth: The savory base of the stew. Homemade stock makes it even richer, but store bought works great. Choose low sodium if you want more control over the salt.
Tomato juice: Adds body, a little acidity and a gentle tomato flavor that brightens the beef. Vegetable juice works in a pinch.
Sweet potatoes: Peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces. They add natural sweetness and turn soft and creamy. If cooked the whole time, they become very soft and help thicken the stew.
Carrots: Sliced diagonally into thick pieces so they hold their shape under pressure and add sweetness and color.
Minced garlic: Builds a savory, aromatic base. Sauteing it first, in the longer method, mellows and deepens its flavor.
Dried basil and dried parsley: Herbs that hold up to the long cook and give the broth an herby, homey flavor.
Salt, pepper and paprika: Season the stew. Paprika adds warm color and a mild sweetness.
Tapioca: The secret thickener. Quick cooking tapioca dissolves as the stew cooks and gives the broth a silky, slightly thick texture without flour.

How to Make Instant Pot Beef Stew

Simple method. Place all of the ingredients in the Instant Pot and stir to coat everything evenly.
Pressure cook. Lock the lid and select the stew/meat setting, about 35 minutes.
Rest and release. When the cycle finishes, let the stew sit for 10 minutes before releasing the steam. The beef stays more tender with a short natural release.
Longer method: sear. For deeper flavor, sprinkle the beef with salt and pepper and sear in hot olive oil over medium high heat until just browned. Remove the meat and deglaze the pan with 1/4 cup of broth, scraping up the browned bits.
Saute and combine. Saute the carrots and garlic in the pan for a couple of minutes, then transfer them and all the pan juices to the Instant Pot with the rest of the ingredients and cook as above. You can also sear right in the Instant Pot. Just work in batches, or the meat will release too much liquid and won’t sear.
Keep the potatoes whole. For firm sweet potato pieces, stop the cooking at the 25 minute mark, add the potatoes and cook for an additional 5 or 10 minutes.

Tip: If the sweet potatoes cook for the whole time, they end up very mushy, almost dissolved. For firm, whole pieces, stop at the 25 minute mark, add the potatoes, then cook for 5 or 10 more minutes.

Ways to Customize Beef Stew

Add hearty grains. Add a handful of pearled barley or farro with the sweet potatoes at the 25 minute mark for a definite improvement.
Use homemade stock. A rich homemade stock adds even more flavor to the final dish.
Change the sides. Serve it with rice, pasta, bread or croutons, or just by itself.
Make it a date night. Pair it with a glass of red wine for a cozy, romantic dinner.

Instant Pot Beef Stew FAQs

How long does beef stew take in the Instant Pot? About 35 minutes on the stew/meat setting, plus a 10 minute rest before releasing the steam and a few minutes of prep.
Do I have to sear the beef? No. The simple method works great. Searing first adds deeper, layered flavor.
Why are my sweet potatoes mushy? They cooked the whole time. Add them at the 25 minute mark for firm pieces.
Can I use a regular pressure cooker? Yes. You can even sear the meat right in it. Work in batches so the beef browns instead of steaming.
What thickens the stew? Tapioca. It dissolves as the stew cooks and gives the broth body.
How do I store leftovers? Cool, then refrigerate in airtight containers for 3 to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot, to 165°F.
Can I use beef chuck instead of round steak? Yes. Chuck has more fat and becomes very tender. Cut it into the same size chunks.
What do I serve with beef stew? Rice, pasta, crusty bread or croutons all work well.

Knowing how many options you have in the kitchen when making a recipe like this gives you the freedom to transform simple dishes into stunning meals. Find more cozy stew recipes here.

Beef Stew Instant Pot - No Diets Allowed #Food #Foodie #Stew

Beef and Sweet Potato Stew

Beef and sweet potato stew made in the Instant Pot with round steak, carrots, garlic and herbs in beef broth and tomato juice. Hearty, savory and easy to adjust.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

1 16 oz beef broth
1 cup tomato juice
2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
3 large organic carrots sliced diagonally into thick pieces
2 Tbs minced garlic
1 Tbs dried basil
2 Tbs dried parsley
3 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
2 Tbs tapioca
2 lbs round steak cut into 1/2 chunks

Instructions

Simple method:

In an Instant Pot, place everything ingredient in and stir coating everything evenly. Select the stew/meat setting (about 35 minutes). Once completed, allow stew to sit for 10 minutes before releasing the steam.

Alternative method:

Sprinkle salt and pepper over the meat and sear in some hot olive oil over medium high heat in a frying pan until just browned. Remove the meat and deglaze the bottom of the pan with ¼ cup of broth. Add the carrots and garlic to the pan and sautee them for a couple of minutes. Then transfer the carrots, garlic and all the juices from the pan to the instant pot with the rest of the ingredients and proceed cooking. If you are using a pressure cooker, you can sear the meat in the pressure cooker itself, just remember to do in batches otherwise the meat will release a lot of liquid and won’t be able to sear.
If the sweet potatoes cook for the whole 35 minutes in the instant pot, they will end up very mushy, almost dissolved. If you want the potatoes to be firm and whole, I recommend stopping cooking at the 25-minute mark, adding the potatoes and then go back to cooking for an additional 5 or 10 minutes.

Made this stew? Leave a star rating in the recipe card and tell us how it turned out in the comments below. Your feedback helps other cooks, and we love hearing how you made it your own.