Instant Pot Caribbean-Style Beef and Sweet Potato Curry
A rich and aromatic Caribbean-inspired beef curry with tender beef chunks and sweet potatoes cooked quickly in the Instant Pot, bursting with warm spices and fresh herbs. This caribbean-inspired beef ready in about 60 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast, olive oil, large, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 medium, peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
- 1 whole, optional for heat scotch bonnet pepper
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Set Instant Pot to 'Sauté' mode and heat 2 tbsp olive oil until hot. Add 1.5 lbs cubed beef chuck roast and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger to the pot. Sauté for 3 minutes until onion softens and mixture is fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp curry powder, 1 tsp ground allspice, and 1 cinnamon stick, cooking for 1 minute to toast the spices.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk and 1 cup beef broth, scraping the bottom to release browned bits.
- Step 5: Add 2 peeled and cubed medium sweet potatoes, 1 whole scotch bonnet pepper (optional for heat), 2 sprigs fresh thyme, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 6: Seal the Instant Pot lid and cook on 'Manual' high pressure for 35 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes before quick releasing remaining pressure.
- Step 7: Remove the scotch bonnet pepper and thyme sprigs, then stir the curry gently before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Instant Pot Caribbean-Style Beef and Sweet Potato Curry take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Instant Pot Caribbean-Style Beef and Sweet Potato Curry?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Caribbean-Style Beef and Sweet Potato Curry?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Instant Pot Caribbean-Style Beef and Sweet Potato Curry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Instant Pot Caribbean-Style Beef and Sweet Potato Curry?
Caribbean beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
