Instant Pot Taiwanese-Inspired Beef Stew with Star Anise

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-24 · Updated 2026-07-24

A fragrant beef stew infused with warm star anise and soy-free coconut aminos, cooked quickly in an Instant Pot for tender, flavorful results. This Asian Fusion-inspired Instant Pot recipe (whole30), ready in about 65 minutes, pairs beef stew meat, 1-inch cubes, yellow onion, chopped, carrots, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 5, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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

• 2 pounds beef stew meat, 1-inch cubes
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 3 medium carrots, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, peeled and minced
• 1/4 cup coconut aminos
• 3 cups beef broth
• 3 star anise pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

Which pressure cooker to buy for recipes like this → Best Instant Pots & Electric Pressure Cookers for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add 2 pounds beef stew meat cubes and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes until deeply caramelized; remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large chopped yellow onion, 5 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon minced ginger. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
3. Step 3: Return the beef to the pot along with 3 sliced carrots, 1/4 cup coconut aminos, 3 cups beef broth, 3 star anise pods, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Step 4: Seal the Instant Pot lid and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. After cooking, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
5. Step 5: Remove star anise pods and cinnamon stick. Ladle stew into bowls and garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves before serving.