How to Make Beef Stew in an Instant Pot
December 20, 2022
This low carb Instant Pot beef stew can absolutely be made on the stovetop, if you prefer. It will take longer but it will still be finger licking good.
We are going to make this beef stew with tomatoes, tomatillo, chipotle peppers, garlic and onions as the base. We will then brown some bacon, onions and beef and add some spices and herbs.
For the braising liquid we will be using Negra Modelo beer and beef stock. For our veggies we will have turnips, carrot, Brussels sprouts and zucchini. If you are cooking it on the stove top you will have to let it simmer for about one hour after you have finished all of the steps. Please make sure to check on the liquid. You do not want this to be dry so keep the temperature very low.
This easy recipe freezes wonderfully if you have any left overs. Enjoy!
If you’re looking for a versatile and easy-to-use kitchen appliance that can help you cook delicious meals in a fraction of the time it takes with traditional cooking methods, an Instant Pot is a great option. Instant Pot is a multi-cooker that combines the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and more, all in one compact appliance. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at how to use an Instant Pot and some tips and tricks for getting the most out of it.
Getting started with your Instant Pot
Before you start using your Instant Pot, it’s important to read the user manual carefully to ensure you understand how to use it safely and effectively. Here are some basic steps to follow when getting started:
- Familiarize yourself with the Instant Pot’s different functions and settings. The control panel on the front of the Instant Pot will allow you to adjust cooking time, temperature, and pressure, among other things.
- Clean your Instant Pot thoroughly before using it for the first time. Remove all packaging and accessories, and wash the inner pot, lid, and accessories with warm, soapy water.
- Assemble your Instant Pot according to the instructions in the user manual. This may involve attaching the lid, inserting the inner pot, and connecting the power cord.
- Add water or other liquid to the inner pot before cooking. The amount of liquid required will depend on the recipe you’re using, but as a general rule, you’ll need at least one cup of liquid for most recipes.
Cooking with your Instant Pot
Now that you’re familiar with the basics of using an Instant Pot, let’s take a look at how to cook with it.
- Choose your recipe. There are countless recipes available online that are specifically designed for use with an Instant Pot, from soups and stews to rice dishes, pasta, and more.
- Prep your ingredients. Depending on the recipe you’re using, you may need to chop vegetables, season meat, or measure out ingredients before you start cooking.
- Set the Instant Pot to the appropriate cooking mode. For example, if you’re cooking a soup, you’ll want to use the “soup” mode, while if you’re cooking rice, you’ll use the “rice” mode.
- Adjust the time and temperature settings as required by your recipe. Most Instant Pot recipes will provide specific instructions for cooking time and temperature, so be sure to follow these closely.
- Let the Instant Pot do its thing! Once you’ve set the time and temperature settings, the Instant Pot will take care of the rest, cooking your food quickly and efficiently.
Tips and tricks for using your Instant Pot
While an Instant Pot is a great tool for cooking all kinds of meals, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you get even better results:
- Use the Instant Pot to make batches of food in advance. With its large capacity and ability to cook food quickly, the Instant Pot is a great tool for meal prep. You can cook up a batch of soup or stew, for example, and freeze it in individual portions for later.
- Experiment with different cooking modes and settings. The Instant Pot offers a wide range of cooking modes and settings, so don’t be afraid to try out different options to see what works best for you.
- Take advantage of the sauté function. The sauté function allows you to brown meat or vegetables before pressure cooking, adding extra flavor and texture to your dishes.
- Be patient when releasing pressure. When you’re done cooking, it’s important to release the pressure from the Instant Pot safely. This can take a few minutes, so be patient and follow the instructions in the
Instant Pot Beef Stew
Serves eight
1 tomatillo
2 tomatoes
4 garlic cloves
2 chipotle pepper with adobo
1/4 cup water
2 pounds chuck roast
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 slices bacon — chopped
1 small white onion — finely sliced
1 tablespoon oil (I use avocado) + more if needed for browning the beef
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
6 sprigs fresh thyme
6 Brussels sprouts — trimmed and halved
1/2 of a large turnip — peeled and cut into medium cubes
1/2 of a medium zucchini — cut into medium chunks
1 carrot — peeled and sliced
3/4 cups dark beer (I am using Negra Modelo)
3/4 cups beef stock
Place the tomatillo, tomatoes, garlic, chipotles with adobo and water in a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
Trim the excess fat off the roast and cut it into large cubes. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Add the cumin and oregano and mix well to coat all sides. Let the beef come to room temperature for about 20 minutes on the counter.
Turn the instant pot on to ‘sauté. You will hear a beep when it is ready. Add the bacon and cook it until it starts browning and rendering fat, about 4 minutes. Add the onion and mix with the bacon. Cook until it is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon and onion mixture from the pot and set aside.
Add the oil into the pot and start browning the beef. Work in batches and brown all sides. If you need to add a little more oil between batches, do so. Remove on to a plate and set aside.
Add the blended tomatoes to the pot and scrape the brown bits from the bottom. Cook the sauce for about 5 minutes, until it starts to thicken. Watch out for splatters. Stir occasionally.
Return the onions, bacon and beef to the pot. Stir. Add the cilantro and thyme and the beer and beef stock. Stir. Add the vegetables on top.
Press the cancel button and place and secure the pid onto the pot. Make sure the pressure valve is sealed. Turn the pot onto ‘stew’ and cook for 25 minutes.
Press the cancel button. Release the pressure valve as soon as the cooking time is done. Be careful as the steam that gets released is very hot.
Serve and enjoy!
Calories 273.032 kcal, Fat, Total 12.961 g, Saturated Fat 3.344 g, Sugar, Total 1.819 g, Total Carbohydrate 10.844 g, Fiber 2.68 g, Protein 26.982 g, Cholesterol 90.186 mg, Trans Fatty Acid 0.399 g, Sodium 252.611 mg,