This Instant Pot Beef Stew is the BEST recipe for stew–PERIOD! Tender beef, potatoes, and carrots are enveloped in a rich, flavorful broth that is seasoned to perfection with a few secret ingredients. And instead of hours to prepare, this recipe is ready in just over one hour, making it perfect comfort food for any day of the week!

Nothing hits the spot like a bowl of rich, hearty Beef Stew. And this recipe for Instant Pot Beef Stew adds in three ingredients that take a good recipe and turn it into something absolutely spectacular! This is one Instant Pot comfort food recipe you don’t want to miss out on!

Why this Recipe Works

Growing up in the mid-west, nothing says comfort to me like a big bowl of Beef Stew. And friends, this Instant Pot Beef Stew hits a home-run in the comfort category. It is perfection!

It is everything you crave in a beef stew and more. A rich and velvety beef and tomato broth envelope nuggets of tender beef, potatoes, and carrots. The meat is fall-apart tender, the vegetables have absorbed the richly flavored sauce, and the sauce has dimension and flavor thanks to a few ingredients.

This is one recipe that not only delivers on comfort, but it also delivers on flavor and it is ready with minimal work and time.

Key Ingredients

There are 3 ingredients that I add into this beef stew recipe that adds tremendous flavor. They are not unusual or hard to find ingredients, but they may be new additions to you. But trust, me they add INCREDIBLE flavor!

Horseradish–Horseradish and beef pair beautifully together. Not only does Horseradish add great flavor to this stew, but it also helps to tenderize the meat. I use it in my Instant Pot Pot Roast as well, and as you can see from the reviews it is a game-changer! Just be sure to purchase prepared horseradish, not horseradish sauce.
Red Wine–A dry red wine adds richness and depth to the sauce. A dry red wine such as Merlot or Cabernet is best. Of course, if you do not drink alcohol, feel free to use additional beef stock in place of wine.
Worcestershire Sauce–Just like the horseradish, the Worcestershire Sauce adds incredible depth of flavor. It is salty and rich and finishes off this stew perfectly. A little bit goes a long way!

How to Make Instant Pot Beef Stew

Step One: Saute the Beef

To sear meat in your instant pot, turn your pressure cooker to Saute.
Wait until your pressure cooker reads Hot.
Pour in oil–I use 1-2 teaspoons oil but up to 1 tablespoon oil is fine.
Season stew meat liberally with salt and pepper and then add to the heated pressure cooker.
Brown meat on all sides.
Once the meat is browned, turn off Instant Pot.

Step Two: Deglaze Pan

Add in red wine (if using) and beef stock.
Be sure to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of your inner pot, so that pressure can build appropriately and you won’t get a burn notice.

Step Three: Add Ingredients to Pressure Cooker

Add in remaining ingredients (except for cornstarch and water) into the pressure cooker.

Step Four: Pressure Cook Beef Stew

Place lid on Instant Pot and secure vent knob to the sealed position.
Cook on HIGH pressure for 30 minutes.
Allow pressure to release naturally. This will keep your meat TENDER and keep the hot liquid from spewing out of your vent knob. DO NOT be tempted to release pressure sooner.

Step Five: Thicken Beef Stew

Once pressure has released on your pressure cooker, remove the lid and turn the pressure cooker back to saute (hit cancel/off button then saute button again)
Whisk together the cornstarch with water until very well combined and then whisk in the cornstarch slurry and allow the beef stew to thicken about 5 minutes.

Recipe Notes and Tips

Beef Stew will keep in the fridge for 4 days.
Beef Stew can be frozen for up to 3 months, but the potatoes do not hold up as well.
To keep this Instant Pot Beef Stew gluten-free, be sure your Worcestershire Sauce is gluten-free.
It is NOT necessary to thicken the Beef Stew. I prefer a thickened broth, while my husband likes a thinner broth–do what your family prefers.
You can find prepared horseradish in the refrigerated deli selection of your grocery store. It is just jarred freshly grated horseradish root–not prepared horseradish sauce.

More Instant Pot Recipes

If you are looking for more delicious comfort food recipes check out my these Instant Pot Favorites.

Instant Pot Pot Roast
Instant Pot Whole Chicken
Instant Pot Beef and Barley Soup
Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers
Instant Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot Short Ribs from Gluten-Free Palate

Instant Pot Beef Stew