Instant Pot No-Penalty Beef and Barley Stew

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Hearty beef stew with tender chunks of beef, nutty barley, and root vegetables, all cooked quickly in an Instant Pot for a comforting dinner. This american-inspired beef ready in about 70 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 420 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 50 min Serves 6 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Set the Instant Pot to 'Sauté' mode and heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Add 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes seasoned with 1.5 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Brown the beef in batches for about 3-4 minutes per side until deeply caramelized. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 3 sliced carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute to release aromas.
  3. Step 3: Return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in 4 cups beef broth, add 3/4 cup rinsed pearled barley, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 bay leaf. Stir everything together.
  4. Step 4: Seal the Instant Pot lid and set to 'Pressure Cook' on high for 35 minutes. After cooking, allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes before quick releasing remaining pressure. Remove bay leaf and stir stew. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Instant Pot No-Penalty Beef and Barley 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 No-Penalty Beef and Barley 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot No-Penalty Beef and Barley 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 No-Penalty Beef and Barley 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 No-Penalty Beef and Barley Stew?

American 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.

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