Instant Pot Conjecture Beef Stew with Root Vegetables
Hearty beef stew cooked under pressure with aromatic vegetables and herbs, blending complex flavors in a comforting one-pot meal. This general-inspired beef ready in about 70 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, celery stalks, sliced, large yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 medium carrots, sliced into 1/2-inch chunks
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat 3 tbsp olive oil. Toss 2 lbs beef chuck cubes in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour seasoned with 1 tbsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Brown the beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy edges develop. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves (reserve 1 minced garlic clove), 3 sliced carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and the reserved 1 minced garlic clove, cooking for 1 minute to deepen flavors.
- Step 5: Return the beef to the pot with 4 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 2 bay leaves.
- Step 6: Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
- Step 7: Remove bay leaves, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and adjust seasoning before serving hot with crusty bread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Instant Pot Conjecture Beef Stew with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 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 Conjecture Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?
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 celery stalks, sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Conjecture Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?
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 Conjecture Beef Stew with Root Vegetables 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 Conjecture Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?
General 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect for weeknights. The root vegetables were a great touch.
- ★★★★★
This was so easy and delicious, my family loved it!
- ★★★★☆
Great recipe, made it for my kids and they loved it.
