Instant Pot Budget Beef Stew

Featured in: Warm Everyday Dinners

This hearty stew features tender beef cubes combined with a variety of root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and potatoes, all simmered together for rich flavor. Sautéed aromatics and herbs enhance the depth, while cooking in the Instant Pot makes the dish fast and easy. Optional peas add a fresh pop, and fresh parsley tops off a satisfying meal that's perfect for busy weeknights.

Updated on Mon, 24 Nov 2025 12:03:00 GMT
Steaming Instant Pot Budget Beef Stew with root vegetables, chunky and aromatic, ready to serve. Pin This
Steaming Instant Pot Budget Beef Stew with root vegetables, chunky and aromatic, ready to serve. | duneoven.com

A hearty, comforting beef stew made affordable with budget-friendly cuts and a medley of nourishing root vegetables. Perfect for busy weeknights, this stew is rich in flavor and comes together quickly in the Instant Pot.

This stew has become a staple in my household when I need something filling and easy to make after a busy day.

Ingredients

  • Beef stew meat: 2 lbs (900 g) beef stew meat (chuck or shoulder) cut into 1-inch cubes
  • Carrots: 2 large carrots peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Parsnips: 2 parsnips peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Potatoes: 2 medium potatoes peeled and cubed
  • Onion: 1 large onion diced
  • Celery stalks: 2 sliced
  • Garlic: 3 cloves minced
  • Vegetable oil: 2 tbsp
  • All-purpose flour: 1/4 cup (30 g)
  • Beef broth: 4 cups (950 ml) low sodium
  • Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
  • Worcestershire sauce: 1 tbsp
  • Dried thyme: 1 tsp
  • Dried rosemary: 1 tsp
  • Bay leaves: 2
  • Salt and black pepper: to taste
  • Frozen peas (optional): 1 cup (150 g) added at the end
  • Fresh parsley (optional): chopped for garnish

Instructions

Season Beef:
Season the beef cubes generously with salt and pepper. Toss with the flour until evenly coated.
Brown Beef:
Set the Instant Pot to Sauté. Add the vegetable oil and, in batches, brown the beef on all sides. Remove browned beef and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables:
Add the onion and celery to the pot and sauté for 2–3 minutes scraping up any browned bits.
Cook Garlic:
Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Add Ingredients:
Return the browned beef to the pot. Add carrots parsnips potatoes tomato paste Worcestershire sauce thyme rosemary bay leaves and beef broth. Stir well to combine.
Pressure Cook:
Lock the Instant Pot lid and set to Manual or Pressure Cook on high for 30 minutes.
Pressure Release:
When the cooking cycle is complete allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes then carefully release any remaining pressure.
Add Peas:
(Optional) Stir in frozen peas and let sit for 2–3 minutes until heated through.
Serve:
Remove bay leaves taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot garnished with fresh parsley.
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This dish is perfect for sharing with family especially on chilly evenings when we gather around the table together.

Required Tools

6-quart Instant Pot or similar electric pressure cooker Chefs knife Cutting board Wooden spoon or spatula Ladle

Allergen Information

Contains Wheat (flour) and Soy (Worcestershire sauce may contain soy). Using gluten-free flour and gluten-free Worcestershire sauce makes this recipe gluten-free but always check product labels.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 370 Total Fat 13 g Carbohydrates 29 g Protein 33 g

A warm, rich bowl of Instant Pot Budget Beef Stew with tender beef and vibrant vegetables. Pin This
A warm, rich bowl of Instant Pot Budget Beef Stew with tender beef and vibrant vegetables. | duneoven.com

This Instant Pot Beef Stew is a delicious way to enjoy comforting flavors with minimal effort.

Recipe FAQ

What cuts of beef work best for this stew?

Chuck or shoulder cuts are ideal due to their marbling and tenderness after pressure cooking.

Can the root vegetables be substituted?

Yes, rutabaga or turnips can replace parsnips to provide similar textures and flavors.

How do I prevent the beef from sticking during browning?

Make sure to brown the beef in batches over medium-high heat with oil, avoiding overcrowding to ensure even searing.

Is natural pressure release necessary?

Allowing a natural pressure release helps the stew finish cooking evenly and maintains tender meat texture.

Can this dish be prepared gluten-free?

Yes, by using gluten-free flour and Worcestershire sauce alternatives, the stew can be made gluten-free.

Instant Pot Budget Beef Stew

A comforting, flavorful beef and root vegetable stew made quickly and affordably in the Instant Pot.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
35 minutes
Total Duration
50 minutes
Published by Dune Oven Sara Whitfield

Recipe Category Warm Everyday Dinners

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Servings Made 6 Portions

Dietary Details Dairy-Free

What You Need

Meats

01 2 pounds beef stew meat (chuck or shoulder), cut into 1-inch cubes

Vegetables

01 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
02 2 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
03 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
04 1 large onion, diced
05 2 celery stalks, sliced
06 3 cloves garlic, minced

Pantry

01 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
02 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
03 4 cups low sodium beef broth
04 2 tablespoons tomato paste
05 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
06 1 teaspoon dried thyme
07 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
08 2 bay leaves
09 Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional

01 1 cup frozen peas
02 Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

How To Make It

Step 01

Prepare beef: Season beef cubes with salt and black pepper. Toss with all-purpose flour until fully coated.

Step 02

Brown beef: Set Instant Pot to Sauté. Add vegetable oil, then brown beef in batches on all sides. Remove and set aside.

Step 03

Sauté vegetables: Add diced onion and sliced celery to pot; sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping browned bits.

Step 04

Add garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

Step 05

Combine ingredients: Return browned beef to pot. Add carrots, parsnips, potatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and beef broth. Stir well to combine.

Step 06

Cook under pressure: Secure Instant Pot lid and cook on Manual/Pressure Cook (High) for 30 minutes.

Step 07

Release pressure: Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully release remaining pressure.

Step 08

Add peas (optional): Stir in frozen peas and let stand 2 to 3 minutes until heated through.

Step 09

Finish and serve: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning as needed, and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot.

Things You'll Need

  • 6-quart electric pressure cooker (Instant Pot or similar)
  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Ladle

Allergens

Review every ingredient for allergens and speak with a healthcare provider when unsure.
  • Contains wheat (flour) and soy (Worcestershire sauce).
  • Use gluten-free flour and Worcestershire sauce to make gluten-free.
  • Check product labels for hidden allergens.

Nutrition Details (per serving)

Nutrition is for your information and isn’t meant as medical advice.
  • Calories: 370
  • Fats: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Proteins: 33 g