Instant Pot Beef Stew with a Secret Ingredient Recipe
This Instant Pot Beef Stew features tender chunks of beef and hearty vegetables cooked to perfection with a rich, flavorful sauce enhanced by a secret tomato-based chili sauce. Ready in under an hour using the pressure cooker, this stew is a comforting and easy-to-make meal ideal for cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Vegetables
- 2 pounds stew meat or chuck roast, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 medium russet potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 large onion, chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 cups carrots, chopped
Liquids and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup chili sauce (tomato-based, such as Heinz)
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Thickening and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Cut the beef into 1-inch pieces or use pre-cut stew meat. Chop potatoes, onion, carrots, and celery; this step can be done a day in advance to save time.
- Start Sauté Mode: Press the Sauté button on the Instant Pot and wait until it displays “Hot.” Add the oil to the inner pot.
- Brown the Beef: Once the oil is sizzling, add the stew meat and brown it on all sides for a few minutes, but do not fully cook through; this seals in flavor.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until onions turn translucent, adding more oil if necessary.
- Deglaze the Pot: Pour in the red wine to deglaze, scraping up all browned bits from the bottom to enhance flavor and prevent a burn warning.
- Add Vegetables and Liquids: Stir in the potatoes, carrots, celery, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and chili sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Pressure Cook: Seal the Instant Pot lid and set to cook on high pressure for 35 minutes.
- Natural Release: Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 to 20 minutes before opening the lid.
- Thicken the Gravy: If the stew is too thin, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 1/4 cup water and stir it into the hot stew to thicken the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or cilantro over the stew before serving for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Using low-sodium beef broth helps control the salt level.
- The chili sauce adds a subtle tangy sweetness, enhancing the depth of the stew.
- Natural pressure release helps maintain moisture and tenderness in the beef.
- Vegetables can be chopped the day before for quicker meal prep.
- This stew can be made in advance and tastes even better the next day.
Keywords: Instant Pot beef stew, beef stew recipe, pressure cooker stew, easy beef stew, hearty stew
