This instant pot beef stew is hearty, comforting, healthy and most importantly, quick and easy! It makes the perfect family friendly weeknight meal or meal prep recipe. The simple ingredients mean that it’s Whole30, paleo, dairy and gluten-free. You really can’t go wrong with a classic beef stew.
This delicious Whole30 beef stew is perfect for the instant pot because you can sear the beef and cook the stew all in the one pot without dirtying any extra dishes. However, if you’re not on the instant pot train yet, I’ve included slow cooker instructions. With both options, you don’t need to sear the beef first, however, it will add to the flavor. If you’re in a time crunch, you can skip it, but otherwise I definitely recommend going that extra step!
This is the instant pot I have and love! And here’s 40 Whole30 Instant Pot recipes you’ll love!
First, you’re going to chop your veggies and get them all ready to go. I used baby carrots this time and simply cut them in half. However, you can use long carrots by peeling and chopping them. You’ll just want to keep them chopped to about 1/2 of a thumb size so they get soft, but still won’t get too mushy in the instant pot.
You’ll also need one-half of a large onion, or one whole small onion, and for the parsley, I prefer to use the fresh herb, but you can substitute dried parsley as well. Russet or golden potatoes are optional substitutions for red potatoes, I tend to just prefer red potatoes in stews, but either variety will work just fine!
You’ll also be lightly coating the stew meat in arrowroot flour. This helps to form a sort of crust while searing, but then also serves to thicken the Whole30 beef stew a bit during the cooking process. You can skip this step if you’d rather, or if you’re in a hurry! If that’s the case, you’ll just sear the beef without it, or if you’re skipping that step too, just add the beef in with all of the other ingredients!
Overall, this is a super simple and straightforward instant pot beef stew recipe. Feel free to play with the spices as you desire, or add any additional veggies you’d like! Just make sure they’re chopped large enough to not get mushy, and uniform enough to cook evenly!
Other Whole30 Recipes You’ll Love:
Instant Pot Chicken Meatballs & Marinara
Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken
Instant Pot Beef Stew: Whole30, Paleo, GF & Slow Cooker Instructions
This instant pot beef stew is hearty, comforting, healthy and most importantly, quick and easy! It makes the perfect family friendly weeknight meal or meal prep recipe. The simple ingredients mean that it’s Whole30, paleo, dairy and gluten-free. You really can’t go wrong with a classic beef stew.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Beef
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs stewing beef, cut in cubes
- 1/4 cup arrowroot flour
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2–3 tbsp olive or avocado oil
- 1.5 tbsp minced garlic
- 4 cups beef broth
- 3–4 cups chopped red potatoes (about 5–6 red potatoes)
- 2 cups chopped carrots
- 1/2 large white onion, chopped, or 1 small onion, chopped
- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley (or 1 tbsp dried)
- 1 tbsp italian seasoning
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1 tsp pepper, or to taste
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Place the beef in a ziploc bag or a large bowl. Add in the arrowroot flour and 1 tsp each salt and pepper. Shake or stir until beef is coated in the flour.
- Set the instant pot to the sauté setting and add in the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the beef pieces with tongs and sear for 1-2 minutes on each side and then remove and place on a plate. You’ll need to do this in two batches as to not overcrowd the beef.
- Once the beef is browned and has been removed from the instant pot, add in the minced garlic while the instant pot is still on sauté mode. Saute the garlic until fragrant, cancel the saute mode, and then add in all of the remaining ingredients.
- Stir everything together and close the lid. Set the instant pot to manual high pressure for 30 minutes. Once it’s finished, you can flip the toggle to do a quick release, or allow it to manually release (a process which takes about 15 minutes). Remove the bay leaves and serve.
Notes
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Follow instructions 1-2, but using a large skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat. And once the beef is browned, you can transfer directly into the slow cooker. Saute the garlic until fragrant, and then add that into the slow cooker.
- Add in all remaining ingredients, stir together, put the cover on the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Remove the bay leaves and serve.
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Cathy says
Best beef stew recipe I’ve ever made!
Jennifer Wilson says
Absolutely delicious! The whole family loved it (even my picky little ones!
Robyn says
Hey this was delicious! Reminiscent of that childhood favorite soup😉 Butcher Box stew meat made it scrumptious! Honestly Bailey, superb!
paleobailey says
I’m SO glad to hear this! Thank you so much for giving it a try and taking the time to come back and leave a review! <3 - B
Hailey D. says
I made this last night for dinner and it is SO GOOD. Plus it is so quick and easy to make! Definitely a new favorite!!
Randy says
Any way to make this in the instantpot without burning your face with hot oil trying to recover the meat?
paleobailey says
I’ve always used tongs and never had a problem. You can skip searing the meat, if you want, and just saute the garlic and then add in the meat with the vegetables.
Jenna says
Such a delicious recipe! My husband said it’s one to keep in our rotation! I have made it both in the instant pot and in the crock pot. I like the instant pot better, the juices came out thicker since all of the arrowroot stayed in the same pot vs some being left in the skillet before transferring to the crock pot! Thanks for another great recipe!
paleobailey says
LOVE this!! So happy you both enjoy it! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave a review! It’s so appreciated <3 - B
Laura says
I make this all the time! It is so flavorful and delicious.
Cindy M says
Delicious! So simple to make in a pinch. Will definitely make again!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know! I really appreciate it!! <3 - B
William Crandall says
My wife and I really liked your recipe. I only made three small changes for our personal tastes. 1) I used less Italian seasoning, 2) I added three stalks of celery and 3) I used only 1 Tbsp of thickener. We both liked the results. Thanks for sharing. (Cooked in an Instantpot)
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you enjoyed! Thank you so much for coming back and letting me know! – B