Name: Life Changing Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-498354H10M49S
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
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 kosher salt; 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Description

This Life Changing Instant Pot Beef Stew is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chunks of chuck roast are cooked to perfection with fresh vegetables and a flavorful tomato base, all made effortlessly in the Instant Pot. The stew is thickened naturally with tapioca for a rich texture, and a final optional browning in the oven adds a delightful caramelized finish.

Ingredients

Beef and Vegetables

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

Other Ingredients

2 tablespoons small tapioca
1/2 cup tomato juice
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Instructions

Add Beef and Vegetables: Place the beef chunks, sliced onion, celery, and carrots directly into the Instant Pot, layering evenly to ensure balanced cooking.
Add Other Ingredients: Sprinkle the small tapioca over the ingredients, followed by the kosher salt and granulated sugar, then pour the tomato juice evenly over everything to incorporate flavors and help thicken the stew.
Cook in the Instant Pot: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and select the stew or meat setting. Set the cooking time to 35 minutes on high pressure for tender, flavorful beef and perfectly softened vegetables.
Finish: Once cooking is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release steam for about 10 minutes to let the stew settle and the flavors meld. After the natural release, manually release any remaining pressure. For an enhanced depth of flavor and a lightly caramelized top, optionally transfer the stew to an oven-safe dish and broil or bake briefly at a high temperature to brown the surface.

Notes

Small tapioca is used as a natural thickener and gives the stew a delightful texture. If unavailable, quick-cooking tapioca may be used, but soak it beforehand to prevent clumping.
The natural release after cooking ensures the meat stays tender and the stew finishes perfectly without splattering or toughening.
Optional browning in the oven adds a caramelized finish that enhances the flavors and appearance; this step is highly recommended for the best results but can be skipped for a quicker meal.