Instant Pot Taiwanese-Style Beef Stew with Star Anise
A rich and aromatic beef stew made in the Instant Pot, combining tender beef with fragrant star anise, ginger, and soy-free Whole30 compliant seasoning. This asian-inspired whole30 (whole30) ready in about 80 minutes pairs beef brisket, cut into 1-inch cubes, avocado oil, inches fresh ginger, sliced thin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 brisket, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 inches fresh ginger, sliced thin
- 5 garlic cloves, smashed
- 3 carrots, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 medium daikon radish, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 3 star anise pods
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 3 cups beef broth, Whole30 compliant
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Press the 'Sauté' setting on the Instant Pot and heat 2 tbsp avocado oil. Add 2 lbs beef brisket cubes and brown on all sides for about 5-6 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 2 inches sliced fresh ginger and 5 smashed garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Return the browned beef to the pot along with 3 chopped carrots, 1 medium peeled daikon radish cut into chunks, 3 star anise pods, 1/4 cup coconut aminos, 3 cups beef broth, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Seal the Instant Pot lid and set to 'Pressure Cook' on high for 40 minutes. Once done, allow natural pressure release for 15 minutes before quick releasing any remaining pressure.
- Step 5: Remove star anise pods, garnish with 2 chopped green onions, and serve hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Instant Pot Taiwanese-Style Beef Stew with Star Anise take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (20 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-Style 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 avocado oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Taiwanese-Style 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-Style 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-Style 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.
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