Whole30 Beef Stew {Instant Pot, Slow Cooker}
Need a quick, easy, and hearty dinner that the whole family will love? This Whole30 Beef Stew is the best stew you can whip up in under 90 minutes. Crockpot/slow cooker instructions are also included.
Does this world really need another beef stew recipe? No. Do we all need another Instant Pot Whole30 beef stew recipe? Highly unlikely. So why in the world am I sharing an Instant Pot beef stew recipe with you today? Call me intuitive, but I think this recipe is going to be a game-changer for most of you.
The Instant Pot is a countertop gem that acts as a pressure cooker in the body of a slow cooker. It helps you achieve quick and healthy meals in a fraction of the time of stovetop or crockpot options. A recipe like my Paleo Chicken Pot Pie Soup can be ready in under 30 minutes.
Soup is pretty much my favorite thing. Whole30 soups are so delicious, comforting, and healthy that I actually put together a guide on 15 Whole30 Soups to keep you warm and cozy.
Shall We Recap?
- You’re making whole30 beef stew in under an hour like a freaking boss.
- It is gluten-free.
- Whole30 compliant.
- You’re adding extra veggies that no one will notice, but you’ll know. Secrets are fun!
- You now have yet another recipe to use smoked paprika in, because you know, it’s amazing.
- Saying the word stewy is fun. Just try it. Steeeeeeeewy.
Where Do You Get Affordable Organic Grass-Fed Beef?
I’m blessed that we have a local butcher for buying organic meat, but we also have a monthly Butcher Box subscription. Butcher Box sources only organic and free-range meat for their customers and ships them to your home once a month.
The meat is super high-quality and we’ve always had an amazing selection sent each month. In addition to what they pick for you, you’re able to add specific cuts and types of meat to your box. And yes, they have Whole30 compliant bacon!
Even with our local source, we still look forward to our monthly Butcher Box delivery.
How Long Does it Take to Make Whole30 Beef Stew in the Instant Pot?
This recipe cooks for 35 in the Instant Pot. It takes about 15 minutes to get up to pressure and then you allow it to naturally release for 10 minutes before doing a quick release. All in all, this recipe is in the Instant Pot for 60 minutes total. That does not include the 15-25 minutes of prep time for cutting the veg.
Here’s How to Make It
*Detailed & printable recipe card at the bottom of the post
In a small bowl, combine the salt and pepper, arrowroot powder, and beef. Toss to coat.
Add the beef and other ingredients to the Instant Pot, and place the lid on and switch it to the lock position. Switch the vent to “sealing”.
Press the “meat/stew” button and increase the time to 35 minutes. It will take up to 15 minutes to reach pressure.
Once the Instant Pot is done cooking allow it to sit for 10 minutes before you switch the vent to “venting”. Watch the hot steam!
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- The liquid will not cover the ingredients before cooking. Don’t worry, your stew will not dry out. It’s going to be awesome. Like you!
- This stew will thicken up quite a bit the next day. If you prefer something with more broth, it is best to reheat with a splash vegetable juice or beef stock.
- If you’re not doing a Whole30 round, you can sub in cornstarch for arrowroot powder.
Other Recipes Like This
- Healthy Orange Chicken
- Whole30 + Paleo French Onion Soup {Dairy-Free}
- 10 Minute Instant Pot Tortilla Soup With Rice
- Instant Pot Lentil Soup
- Instant Pot Vegetable Soup With Noodles
- Whole30 Potato Soup
Make this Whole30 beef stew today. Or tomorrow. This weekend? Really soon? I hate being pushy. I’m from Seattle and it makes us feel ill if we think people think we’re being rude.
Can I offer you some apples or salmon as an apology? Maybe some delicious Homemade Blackberry Crisp? What I’m trying to say is I hope you make this Instant Pot Beef Stew, and I apologize profusely for my forwardness.
I’ll wallow in an eternal shame spiral.
Making this recipe or others?
Post a photo on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #sustainablecooks. I can't wait to see your take on it!
Need a quick, easy, and hearty dinner that the whole family will love? This Whole30 Beef Stew is the best stew you can whip up in under 90 minutes.
- 1 lb stew beef
- 2 tbsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 onion, chopped
- 5 cups carrots, peeled and chopped
- 4 cups potatoes, peeled and chopped about 4 russets
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup tomato-based vegetable juice*
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried tarragon
- 1 bay leaf
In a small bowl, combine the salt and pepper, arrowroot powder, and beef. Toss to coat.
Add the beef and other ingredients to the Instant Pot, and place the lid on and switch it to the lock position. Switch the vent to "sealing".
Press the "meat/stew" button and increase the time to 35 minutes. It will take up to 15 minutes to reach pressure.
Once the Instant Pot is done cooking allow it to sit for 10 minutes before you switch the vent to "venting". Watch the hot steam!
You can make this beef stew in a slow cooker. Put all the ingredients in your slow cooker and set it to low for 8 hours.
The liquid will not cover the ingredients before cooking. Don't worry, your stew will not dry out. It's going to be awesome. Like you!
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This recipe was originally published in October 2017. It has been retested and updated with reader feedback. New photos have been added and the recipe has been clarified. For reference, this is one of the photos from the original post:
I’ll totally take the blackberries, if you’re handing out apology gifts. 😉
No instant pot here, but I’m assuming that I could make this work in my pressure cooker?
I’m certain you could, but I’m not sure how the cooking times translate to a normal pressure cooker. Is it one you use it on the stove?
Yep, it’s the regular old “on the stove” version. I’ve learned to use it for canning (mostly) and a few cooking projects. My husband and his whole family love to hunt, and some cuts of game are best when pressure cooked.
A recipe post that made me smile. Thanks.
🙂
I think I would have loved your Nanna, we would have had fun in the kitchen!
Thanks for sharing this. I’ll keep an eye out for stew beef next time we do groceries. For the crockpot version, would you sear the beef on the stove before tossing it in the crockpot?
I’ve thought of getting an instant pot, but I find that my kitchen energy is highest in the morning, so throwing everything in the crockpot after breakfast works best for me.
For me, the searing is a “nice to have” portion of the recipe, but not a must. If the searing is keeping you from making the recipe, then don’t sear it.
The Instant Pot also has a crockpot function, so not only could you do something early in the am, but if you were short on time you could use the pressure function. If your crockpot bites the dust, it is worth the discussion about an Instant Pot.
My Nanna was rad!
It didn’t occur to me to replace the crock pot with the instapot after it dies. Thanks!
I have made this with beef & it was delish! I skipped the searing, but tonight I’m making this with venison & will sear!! I’ve got a hunter & always have a shit ton of stew meat! Thanks for the recipe.
I made this in my crock pot on Christmas Eve. Ah-maze-ing. Can’t wait to try your other recipes!
Got our Instant Pot not that long ago and this sounds perfect for our meal planning!
Recently made the beef stew in the instapot and my family loved it! I did add some dry mustard seasoning instead of the tarragon and thickened it up a bit more at the end but the family gobbled it up and the leftovers were perfect lunch the next day. Thanks for another great recipe!!
So happy to hear your crew all loved it Ang!
I made this in my crockpot and it came out great!
While I didn’t follow your recipe, seeing the post in my e-mail reminded me I had beef stew meat in the fridge! So, I threw a bunch of veggies (no potatoes, we are out, boo!) into the crockpot with the meat and away I go! It’s gonna cook all night which means beef stew for breakfast!
Who-hoo! Glad I had a part of the inspiration for a unicorn meal that meets all of your dietary needs. OMG I love cooking things in the crockpot all night. Though I will fully admit while cooking a kalua pig overnight, I once had a dream that a burglar broke in and was making dinner.
This turned out great! I used red potatoes and left the skin on, used vegetable stock because it was cheaper and used thyme instead of tarragon (also because I didn’t have any), and it all came out good! Thanks!
So glad you liked it, and I love the addition of the skin on red potatoes!
Delicious! Any guidance on converting my husband to eating meat so I don’t have to fly to Seattle to get a bowl of this bomb diggity stew?
Le sigh, I’ve got nothing in that regard.
Can I double this recipe – I have an 8 Quart IP?
Thanks! (From a fellow Seattleite)
Yes ma’am you sure can! Happy instant potting!
I’m planning to make this soon, but I have a question: don’t the potatoes and carrots turn out really mushy if they’ve been cooked for 35 minutes?
Not at all Thomas! I don’t really understand the science behind it, but they come out perfectly tender but still keep their shape (see the photos). And so yummy!
Hi, I’ve been so excited about this recipe, but for whatever reason I have gotten the burn message seven times. I keep scraping as hard as I can without splashing any liquid up. And I did originally two, as it said two in the instructions. Any tips? I’ve been so excited about this recipe, but for whatever reason I have gotten the burn message seven times. I keep scraping as hard as I can without splashing any liquid up. And I did originally to, as it said two in the instructions. Any tips? It’s currently getting back up to pressure again for about the fifth time !
Hi Ellen, my Instant Pot doesn’t have the burn message feature but I hear it common on newer machines. Which model do you have?
Can you walk me through when you are getting the burn message? Is it after you saute the meat or when you add the other ingredients? From what I’ve read, the burn message can happen when ingredients are added and stirred? That sounds so weird to me but it is what I have gathered reading experiences with other recipes on instant pot facebook forums.
I will tell you that in a pinch I have thrown everything into the pot for this recipe and just pressed start. No sauteing, etc., and it has worked ok.
What is the oil for? Are you supposed to brown the beef? Steps 2 and 3 are pretty much the same. Thanks, I do want to try this!
Hi Kim, I had recently updated the recipe to remove the section for browning the meat (I found it didn’t make a difference in taste and was just one extra step). I didn’t do a very thorough job in “cleaning” up the recipe card. The instructions are updated now and I do hope they’re more clear.
Happy cooking!