Instant Pot Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable Stew
A rich and comforting beef stew loaded with tender root vegetables, cooked quickly in your Instant Pot for deep flavor in under an hour. This american-inspired instant pot ready in about 70 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, yellow onion, diced, celery stalks, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 lb beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 2 medium parsnips, peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp water
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Add 1.5 lb beef chuck cubes coated lightly in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and brown in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until a deep crust forms, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 chopped celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until it darkens slightly. Pour in 1/2 cup red wine to deglaze, scraping up browned bits for 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Return the browned beef to the pot along with 3 sliced carrots, 2 chopped parsnips, 4 cups beef broth, 3 fresh thyme sprigs, 1 bay leaf, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Lock the lid and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes.
- Step 5: After natural pressure release for 10 minutes, remove the lid and discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Stir together 2 tbsp water and any remaining flour from coating to thicken the stew if desired, simmer on sauté for 3 minutes until thickened and glossy.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Instant Pot Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable Stew 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 Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable Stew?
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 yellow onion, diced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable Stew?
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 Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable Stew 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 Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable Stew?
American instant pot 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.
