Beef stew is the ultimate comfort food—rich, hearty, and packed with tender chunks of beef and vegetables swimming in a flavorful broth. But traditional beef stew can take hours to cook. The good news? You can make a delicious beef stew in a fraction of the time using a pressure cooker. If you’ve ever wondered how do you make beef stew in a pressure cooker?—this guide is for you. Let’s dive into an easy, step-by-step recipe that yields tender meat and savory goodness in under an hour.
Why Use a Pressure Cooker for Beef Stew?
Pressure cookers work by cooking food under high pressure, which raises the boiling point of water and speeds up cooking. This means tough cuts of beef become tender much faster, and the flavors meld beautifully in a shorter time. Plus, because the lid seals tightly, very little liquid evaporates, so your stew stays rich and concentrated.
Ingredients You’ll Need
– 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized cubes
– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 5 carrots, peeled and sliced
– 4-5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
– 2 cups beef broth (or water with bouillon cubes)
– 1 can diced tomatoes (optional)
– 2 tablespoons tomato paste
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Optional: ½ cup red wine for depth of flavor
– 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with cold water (to thicken stew at the end)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Brown the Beef and Sauté Aromatics
Heat the vegetable oil in your pressure cooker on the sauté setting. Add the beef cubes and brown them on all sides. This step seals in the juices and adds a rich flavor to the stew. Remove the beef and set it aside. In the same pot, sauté the onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent.
2. Add Vegetables and Liquids
Return the beef to the pot. Add carrots, potatoes, beef broth, diced tomatoes (if using), tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. If you like, pour in red wine for extra depth. Stir everything together to combine.
3. Pressure Cook the Stew
Secure the lid on your pressure cooker and set it to high pressure. Cook for about 30 minutes. After cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before opening the lid. This helps the meat become extra tender and the flavors to fully develop.
4. Thicken the Sauce
If the stew looks a bit thin, mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry and stir it into the hot stew. Turn on the sauté mode and cook for a few minutes until the stew thickens to your liking.
5. Serve and Enjoy
Your beef stew is now ready to serve! It’s perfect on its own or alongside crusty bread or mashed potatoes. Garnish with fresh herbs if you like.
Tips for the Best Pressure Cooker Beef Stew
– Use tougher cuts of beef: Chuck roast or stew meat works best because they become tender and flavorful under pressure.
– Don’t skip browning: While some recipes skip this, browning beef and sautéing aromatics adds layers of flavor.
– Adjust liquid carefully: Pressure cookers don’t lose much liquid, so avoid adding too much broth or water to prevent a watery stew.
– Natural pressure release: Letting the pressure release naturally improves texture and flavor, especially for starchy or thick dishes.
– Customize your veggies: Feel free to add celery, parsnips, or mushrooms for extra heartiness.
Why You’ll Love This Method
Using a pressure cooker cuts down cooking time dramatically—from hours to about 45 minutes of mostly hands-off cooking. The result is tender, juicy beef and deeply infused flavors that taste like you simmered the stew all day. Plus, cleanup is easy since you cook everything in one pot.
Making beef stew in a pressure cooker is a game-changer for busy weeknights or anytime you crave a warm, comforting meal without the wait. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll have a hearty, satisfying stew ready to enjoy in no time.
Happy cooking!