Instant Pot Taiwanese Spiced Beef Stew with Star Anise
Tender beef chunks slow-cooked under pressure with fragrant star anise, ginger, and soy flavors, creating a warming Taiwanese stew. This asian-inspired instant pot (whole30) ready in about 75 minutes pairs large yellow onion, chopped, garlic cloves, smashed, whole star anise pods 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
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2-inch piece fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, smashed
- 3 whole star anise pods
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 3 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 8 oz shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and halved
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat 1 tbsp sesame oil. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes and brown for 5 minutes, turning to sear all sides, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 large chopped yellow onion, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 2-inch sliced ginger to the pot; sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and soft.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup coconut aminos, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar, 3 cups beef broth, 3 whole star anise pods, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Return beef to the pot along with 3 medium chopped carrots and 8 oz halved shiitake mushrooms. Lock the lid, seal the valve, and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes.
- Step 5: When cooking completes, allow natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Remove star anise pods and serve garnished with 2 sliced green onions.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Instant Pot Taiwanese Spiced Beef Stew with Star Anise take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Taiwanese Spiced Beef Stew with Star Anise?
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 large yellow onion, chopped from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Taiwanese Spiced Beef Stew with Star Anise?
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 Taiwanese Spiced Beef Stew with Star Anise 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.
Is Instant Pot Taiwanese Spiced Beef Stew with Star Anise whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
