Super Tender Beef Stew in the Slow Cooker or Instant Pot

You are probably an avid slow cooker user for your meat stews and other long-simmered dishes.

Did you know that with the Instant Pot, also known as a pressure cooker, you can achieve the same result in much less time?

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Note that it always takes about 10 to 15 minutes for the Instant Pot to reach its proper pressure level, and afterward, cooking your stew will take 45 minutes. Even frozen beef will come out perfectly tender and juicy!

And for those who swear by the slow cooker, we also provide instructions for making this recipe in your trusty "crock pot."

Super Tender Beef Stew in the Slow Cooker or Instant Pot

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 1 hour

Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
• 2 pounds (900 g) beef stew meat
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 carrots, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 pound (450 g) potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cups (500 ml) beef broth
• 14 ounces tomato sauce (about 1 3/4 cups)
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce)
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried herb mix (thyme, oregano, basil)
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sugar
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) black pepper
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) water

Preparation

Cooking with the Instant Pot (pressure cooker)

Activate the "Sauté" function and add the olive oil. Stir in the onions and garlic and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until they have softened and are slightly golden.

Add the beef, carrots, potatoes, celery, beef broth, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce), dried herbs, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything uniformly.

Close the lid ensuring the vent is set to closed, and cook at high pressure for 45 minutes. 

Once the cooking time is over, press "Cancel" and gently release the pressure. Once all the pressure is released, whisk the cornstarch and water until fully dissolved.

Open the lid and add the cornstarch and water mixture. Gently mix it into the beef stew and close the lid for about 5 minutes to thicken the sauce. 

Serve.

Cooking with the slow cooker

Mix all ingredients except for the water and cornstarch in the slow cooker (beef, olive oil, onion, garlic, carrots, potatoes, broth, tomato sauce, soy/Worcestershire sauce, herbs, sugar, salt, and pepper).

Cover and cook the stew on low heat for 7 hours or about 4 hours on high heat.

Whisk the cornstarch and water until smooth. Gently stir it into the beef stew, cover with the lid, and cook for about 5 minutes until the stew thickens slightly. 

Serve.

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