Looking to make a hearty and flavorful beef stew in no time? Look no further than your trusty Instant Pot! In this article, we’ll guide you through the simple steps of creating a mouthwatering beef stew using this handy kitchen appliance. With the Instant Pot’s pressure cooking feature, you’ll be able to achieve tender and succulent pieces of beef infused with the rich flavors of savory vegetables and aromatic herbs and spices. So, grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
Gather Ingredients
When it comes to making a delicious beef stew in an Instant Pot, the first step is gathering all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
Beef (cubed)
To start off our beef stew, we need tender and flavorful beef. Look for beef that has been cubed specifically for stews. This will ensure that the meat cooks evenly and becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Vegetables (carrots, potatoes, onions, etc.)
No beef stew is complete without a hearty selection of vegetables. Carrots, potatoes, onions, and other vegetables of your choice will not only add flavor to the stew but also provide a satisfying texture.
Beef broth or stock
To create a rich and savory base for our stew, we’ll need beef broth or stock. This will enhance the taste of the beef and vegetables, resulting in a more flavorful stew.
Garlic
Garlic is a staple in many savory dishes, including beef stew. Its aromatic and pungent flavor will add depth to the stew, enhancing the overall taste.
Herbs and spices
To elevate the flavors even further, we’ll use a variety of herbs and spices. Consider using ingredients such as bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary to infuse the stew with aromatic notes.
Flour
To thicken the stew and give it a luscious consistency, we’ll use flour as a thickening agent. This will ensure that every spoonful of stew is hearty and satisfying.
Prepare the Instant Pot
Before we can start cooking our beef stew, it’s important to properly prepare the Instant Pot. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth cooking process:
Clean the Instant Pot
Make sure the Instant Pot is clean and free from any residue or debris. This will prevent any unwanted flavors from transferring to the stew.
Ensure the sealing ring is in place
Check that the sealing ring is properly seated in the Instant Pot’s lid. The sealing ring helps to create a tight seal, allowing the pressure to build up inside the pot during the cooking process.
Attach the lid securely
Place the Instant Pot’s lid on top of the pot and turn it clockwise until it is securely attached. Ensuring a tight seal is crucial for the Instant Pot to build and maintain pressure while cooking.
Sauté the Beef
The first cooking step in making beef stew is sautéing the beef. This will add a rich, caramelized flavor to the meat, enhancing the overall taste of the stew.
Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode
Press the sauté button on the Instant Pot to activate the sauté mode. This will heat the pot and allow us to brown the beef.
Add oil and heat it
Add a generous amount of oil to the Instant Pot and let it heat up. The oil will prevent the beef from sticking to the pot and help with the browning process.
Season the beef with salt and pepper
Before adding the beef to the Instant Pot, season it with salt and pepper. This will enhance the meat’s natural flavors and provide a tasty foundation for the stew.
Sear the beef in batches
To ensure that each piece of beef gets a nice brown crust, sear the meat in batches. Overcrowding the pot will prevent the beef from browning properly.
Remove seared beef and set aside
Once the beef is browned on all sides, remove it from the Instant Pot and set it aside. This will allow us to sauté the vegetables and deglaze the pot, ensuring maximum flavor in our stew.
Sauté the Vegetables
Now that we have perfectly seared beef, it’s time to sauté the vegetables. This step adds depth and complexity to the stew, as the vegetables release their flavors and become tender.
Add more oil if needed
If there isn’t enough oil left in the Instant Pot after sautéing the beef, add a bit more oil to ensure the vegetables don’t stick to the pot.
Add onions, garlic, and other vegetables
Start by adding onions and garlic to the pot. Sauté them until the onions become translucent and aromatic. Then, add in the rest of the vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes.
Sauté until onions are translucent
Sauté the vegetables until the onions are translucent and the other vegetables have slightly softened. This will help develop their flavors and ensure they cook evenly in the stew.
Deglaze the Pot
After sautéing the vegetables, it’s time to deglaze the Instant Pot. This step involves adding liquid to the pot and scraping the bottom to release any browned bits of flavor.
Add a splash of beef broth or stock
Pour a splash of beef broth or stock into the Instant Pot. This liquid will help loosen any browned bits that may have stuck to the bottom, adding richness to the stew.
Scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits
Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot. This will help incorporate the flavorful browned bits into the stew, ensuring that no taste goes to waste.
Simmer for a minute
Let the beef broth or stock simmer in the Instant Pot for a minute. This will allow the flavors to meld together and create a delicious base for our beef stew.
Combine Ingredients
Now that we have sautéed the beef, vegetables, and deglazed the pot, it’s time to bring everything together and create a mouthwatering beef stew.
Add seared beef back into the pot
Place the seared beef back into the Instant Pot, along with any accumulated juices. This will reintroduce the flavorful meat into the stew, making every bite enjoyable.
Add remaining vegetables
Add the rest of the vegetables into the Instant Pot. These vegetables will cook along with the beef, absorbing its rich flavors and adding their own textures to the stew.
Pour in the beef broth or stock
Pour in the remaining beef broth or stock to create a flavorful liquid base for the stew. This will ensure that each spoonful of stew is packed with deliciousness.
Add herbs and spices (e.g., bay leaves, thyme, rosemary)
Add herbs and spices of your choice to the Instant Pot. Bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary are popular options that complement the flavors of beef stew beautifully.
Stir to combine all ingredients
Carefully stir all the ingredients in the Instant Pot to ensure even distribution. This will help the flavors marry together and create a harmonious stew.
Pressure Cook the Stew
With all the ingredients combined, it’s time to pressure cook the stew. This cooking method allows the flavors to intensify and the beef to become tender and succulent.
Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook mode
Select the pressure cook mode on the Instant Pot. This will adjust the cooking settings to ensure that the stew is cooked at the perfect temperature and pressure.
Adjust the cooking time (usually 15-30 minutes)
Depending on the type of beef and the desired tenderness, adjust the cooking time. Generally, beef stew cooks well in 15-30 minutes under pressure, resulting in tender and flavorful meat.
Make sure the pressure valve is set to ‘sealing’
Check that the pressure valve on the Instant Pot is set to the ‘sealing’ position. This is crucial to build and maintain the pressure necessary for cooking the stew properly.
Natural Release or Quick Release
Once the stew has finished cooking, it’s time to release the pressure from the Instant Pot. There are two methods you can choose from: natural release or quick release.
Let the pressure release naturally (10-15 minutes)
For a more hands-off approach, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release the pressure over a period of 10-15 minutes. This will give the stew time to settle and the flavors to meld together further.
Or perform a quick release by carefully turning the pressure valve to ‘venting’
If you’re eager to dig into your beef stew, you can opt for a quick release method. Carefully turn the pressure valve to the ‘venting’ position, allowing the steam to escape rapidly.
Thicken the Stew
To achieve a luscious and thick consistency in the beef stew, we’ll need to thicken it slightly by making a slurry with a ladleful of stew liquid and flour.
Remove a ladleful of the stew liquid
Using a ladle, scoop out a small amount of the stew liquid from the Instant Pot. This will be used to create the slurry that thickens the stew.
In a separate bowl, mix the ladleful of liquid with flour to make a slurry
In a separate bowl, combine the ladleful of stew liquid with flour. Mix them together to create a smooth slurry. This mixture will help thicken the stew and give it a velvety texture.
Slowly pour the slurry back into the Instant Pot while stirring
Once the slurry is ready, slowly pour it back into the Instant Pot while stirring continuously. This will prevent any lumps from forming and ensure that the stew thickens evenly.
Simmer on sauté mode until the stew thickens
Switch the Instant Pot to sauté mode and let the stew simmer until it reaches the desired thickness. Stir occasionally to prevent the bottom from scorching and to evenly distribute the heat.
Serve and Enjoy
Finally, it’s time to savor the fruits of our labor and enjoy the delicious beef stew we’ve made in our Instant Pot.
Remove bay leaves and any herb stems
Before serving the beef stew, don’t forget to remove any bay leaves and herb stems. Eating these tough and woody pieces wouldn’t be a delightful experience in your stew.
Give the stew a taste and adjust seasoning if needed
Before serving the stew, give it a taste. Adjust the seasoning if needed by adding more salt, pepper, or any additional herbs and spices to suit your taste preferences.
Serve hot in bowls
Ladle the piping hot beef stew into serving bowls. The comforting aroma and rich flavors will be hard to resist, so make sure you’re ready to dive in!
Garnish with fresh herbs if desired
For an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal, consider garnishing your beef stew with some fresh herbs. Chopped parsley or thyme leaves make great options that complement the flavors beautifully.
Enjoy the delicious beef stew!
Grab your spoon, gather around the table, and enjoy the scrumptious beef stew you’ve made in your Instant Pot. Each spoonful will warm you from the inside out and leave you craving for more.
