Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe

The recipe begins by seasoning stew meat with salt, pepper, and flour, then browning it in butter directly in the Instant Pot using the sauté setting. Deglazing with beef broth lifts flavorful browned bits, and then Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, tomato paste, rosemary, and thyme are added to build a complex base. Vegetables including pearl onions (frozen and ready to use without thawing), sliced mushrooms, carrot chunks, and cubed potatoes are stirred in, creating a hearty combination typical of classic beef stew. The Instant Pot lid is secured and the stew cooked under pressure until the beef is tender and the flavors meld.

Serving this stew offers a comforting, balanced dish with both meaty richness and vegetable sweetness. Pearl onions provide gentle sweetness and texture without extra prep. The seasoning mixture yields a savory broth with a slight umami edge from soy and Worcestershire sauces. This stew is practical for a filling meal and can be adjusted for saltiness depending on the broth used.

Using Better Than Bouillon for broth is recommended, but salt may need adjustment if a different broth is used. For substitutions, regular chopped yellow onions can replace pearl onions, sautéed with the meat or added with other vegetables. Butter can be swapped for cooking oil if preferred.