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Life Changing Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe

Life Changing Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 19 reviews

This Life Changing Instant Pot Beef Stew is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring tender chuck roast, fresh vegetables, and a rich homemade gravy thickened with tapioca. Perfectly cooked in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or oven, it delivers comforting, caramelized beef stew that is ideal for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. beef chuck roast, fat trimmed, cut into 1–2 inch chunks
  • 1 medium onion, sliced thinly
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced diagonally in thick pieces
  • 6 carrots, sliced diagonally in thick pieces
  • 2 tablespoons small tapioca
  • 1/2 cup tomato juice
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Trim any excess fat from the chuck roast and cut into 1 to 2 inch chunks. Slice the onion thinly. Cut the celery and carrots diagonally into thick pieces for even cooking and presentation.
  2. Instant Pot Method: Place all the prepared ingredients—beef, onions, celery, carrots, tapioca, tomato juice, salt, and sugar—into the Instant Pot. Seal the lid and select the stew or meat setting, which will cook at high pressure for approximately 35 minutes. When the timer ends, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes before carefully releasing any remaining steam. This ensures the beef is tender and flavors meld perfectly.
  3. Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C). Combine all the ingredients in a baking dish—glass or ceramic works best, with dimensions around 8×8 to 9×13 inches. Cover with foil to retain moisture and bake for 3 to 4 hours until the beef is tender. If the gravy reduces too much during baking, add a little water to loosen it before serving.
  4. Slow Cooker Method: Place all ingredients into the slow cooker. Cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until the beef and vegetables are tender and fully cooked. This slow cooking method enhances the flavors and texture of the stew.
  5. Finishing in the Oven: Regardless of the cooking method used, transferring the stew to a preheated oven at about 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 20 minutes uncovered adds a beautiful caramelization to the meat and thickens the gravy, enhancing both taste and appearance before serving.

Notes

  • Small tapioca is used as a thickening agent for the stew’s gravy, providing a smooth and rich texture.
  • After instant pot or slow cooker cooking, finishing the stew in a hot oven caramelizes the beef and improves texture, but this step is optional if short on time.
  • If the gravy dries out or becomes too thick during oven cooking, stir in a little water to loosen it before serving.
  • Using tomato juice instead of canned tomatoes helps keep the sauce smooth while adding subtle acidity and flavor.
  • This recipe can be adapted to other cuts of beef suitable for slow cooking, such as brisket or short ribs, though cooking times may vary.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot beef stew, slow cooker beef stew, easy beef stew recipe, hearty beef stew, comfort food, Chuck roast stew

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/life-changing-instant-pot-beef-stew-recipe/