This easy, healthy Pressure Cooker Beef Stew recipe is so delicious and comes together so quickly that it would make a great weeknight dinner. Using an Instant Pot makes it fast, and using your own spice mix makes it healthier.
What Makes This Pressure Cooker Beef Stew So Great
- Better ingredients. A long time ago, I used to make beef stew in my Instant Pot with a packaged stew seasoning. Then I started to wonder what was in the mix and decided to make my own. It not only resulted in a much tastier beef stew , but a much healthier one at that.
- Simple. Not only is this Pressure Cooker Beef Stew crazy delicious, but it’s super easy to make as well.
- Quick. I absolutely love my Instant Pot , and this recipe is made in less than 30 minutes thanks to pressure cooking. Seriously, who’s ever heard of a tender, delicious beef stew recipe that was done that quickly? And now that you’ve heard about it, I’m sure you’re going to want to make it time and time again.
- Changes. Now if this Pressure Cooker Beef Stew recipe looks familiar, it’s because it’s an old recipe of mine but I decided to revamp it a bit. And let me tell you, the changes make this easy beef stew recipe that much better.
Can I Make Pressure Cooker Beef Stew Low Carb?
Indeed, you can. You would make the following changes:
- Use turnips or radishes instead of potatoes . If using turnips, cut them into 2-3 inch cubes. If using radishes, leave them whole.
- Reduce or skip carrots. You can use frozen green beans instead. By using frozen beans, you will ensure they don’t get overcooked in the time it takes for the other vegetables to cook.
- You can also use frozen cauliflower along with the other vegetables.
- Either skip the cornstarch slurry all together , and let the stew be a little thin, or use Xanthan Gum . Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to thicken the stew. Do not make a slurry with it! You will have a sticky, mucilaginous mess on your hands. Just turn the Instant pot to Sauté, sprinkle the gum evenly, and then stir until thickened.
- You can also add a cup or two of riced cauliflower in with the veggies. This will cook down and can sometimes help to thicken the gravy or sauce. You do not need to change cook times if you do this.
- Eat it plain or serve it over shirataki noodles .
How To Thicken Beef Stew
There are several ways you can thicken beef stew. Here are a few different options. Choose the one that fits your dietary needs and the ingredients you already have in your kitchen:
- Corn Starch. If you want a thicker beef stew, make a cornstarch slurry with one tablespoon of cornstarch and four tablespoons of water and mix in, allowing it to thicken.
- Flour. You can also mix a tablespoon of flour into four tablespoons of water and then add it into your cooked, hot, beef stew and stir until thickened.
- Xantham Gum. Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to thicken the stew.
- Cauliflower Thickener. I don’t usually like thickeners so I often use 1 cup of cauliflower which cooks down and thickens the gravy. If you’re doing this, cook it along with the meat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 pound Beef Stew Meat - The hearty base of the dish, providing rich, meaty flavor and tender texture when pressure-cooked.
- 1 Onion - Adds natural sweetness and depth of flavor to the stew as it cooks down.
- 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste - Enhances the stew’s richness, adds color, and deepens the umami flavor.
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce - Brings savory depth and a slight tang, balancing the beefy flavor.
- 1 teaspoon Salt - Enhances the overall flavor and seasoning of the stew.
- 1–2 teaspoons Ground Black Pepper - Adds mild heat and earthy spice that complements the beef.
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika - Infuses a subtle smoky flavor and warmth to the stew’s broth.
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano - Provides a hint of herbal flavor that adds depth and balance.
- 1/2 cup Water - Helps create steam for pressure cooking and forms the base of the stew’s broth.
- 1 cup Baby Carrots - Add natural sweetness and color while becoming tender during cooking.
- 2 cups Mushrooms - Contribute umami flavor and a meaty texture that complements the beef.
- 2 cups Potatoes - Thicken the stew naturally and make it heartier and more filling.
- 2 Bay Leaves - Add a subtle aromatic flavor and enhance the savory depth of the broth.
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch or Arrowroot Powder (optional) - Used for thickening the stew if you prefer a richer consistency.
- 4 tablespoons Water - Mixed with the cornstarch or arrowroot to make a slurry for thickening the sauce at the end.
How to Make Instant Pot Beef Stew
So there’s a trick to getting this right. Normally, I’m all in favor of throwing everything into the pressure cooker and cooking it in one go.
You can’t do that with beef stew–or at least, not without overcooking your vegetables or undercooking your meat.
So for this recipe, what works is to cook the beef separately, and then add the vegetables in a separate cycle.
So here are the full instructions on how to make this delicious Pressure Cooker Beef Stew :
- Throw everything into the Instant Pot except for the mushrooms and carrots .
- Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes and release pressure quickly.
- Add the carrots and mushrooms and cook for 2 mins at High Pressure and let it release pressure naturally.
- If you want a thicker gravy, turn your Instant Pot on to Sauté, and once it’s hot and the sauce is bubbling, make a cornstarch slurry and mix in, allowing it to thicken.
Watch a Video on How to Make Instant Pot Beef Stew
Will Using QPR (Quick-Release) Make My Meat Tough?
I see this posted all the time in groups – don’t use QPR it will make the meat tough.
- Cooking Time. So the real culprit here isn’t QPR per se. It’s that Natural Pressure release time counts as cooking time. Those 10 minutes that you let a pot rest without releasing pressure? It is cooking time.
- Ambient Heat. The liquid in the pot is still hot. There’s ambient heat. The food continues to cook during that time.
- Shortcuts. If you QPR your meat, you’re shortcutting the cooking time.
Rest assured, by using this Instant Pot Beef Stew recipe, you will have the most tender beef you’ve ever eaten. Just follow the recipe as written.
How Do I Make This Beef Stew in a Slow Cooker?
I made this Pressure Cooker Beef Stew in the Instant Pot because I was in a hurry, but this will work well in the slow cooker too.
- Pour and Cook. Add everything into the slow cooker except the corn starch and water slurry. In a pressure cooker, vegetables take longer to cook and break down. In contrast, slower cooking breaks down meats faster and makes them very tender. So you can put everything in at the same time.
- More Water. Increase water to about 1-1.5 cups. This is because you will lose some of the water to evaporation. In a pressure cooker, since it is totally sealed, you lose very little water to evaporation. This is why you always need to use less water when converting a recipe to pressure cooking.
Tips And Tricks
Instant Pot beef stew is a comforting, hearty meal that comes together quickly while still tasting like it’s been simmering all day. Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the perfect stew every time:
- Brown the beef first . Use the sauté function to sear the meat before pressure cooking. It adds rich flavor and better texture.
- Deglaze the pot . After browning, pour in a bit of water or broth and scrape up the browned bits to prevent a burn notice and add depth to the stew.
- Cut ingredients evenly . Chop vegetables into similar sizes so they cook uniformly under pressure.
Variations
Instant Pot beef stew is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to tweak flavors and ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs. Here are some delicious variations to try:
- Classic Red Wine Stew - Replace half of the water with red wine for a rich, deeply flavored sauce.
- Guinness Beef Stew - Use dark beer like Guinness instead of water for a hearty, Irish-inspired twist.
- Italian-Style Stew - Add diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and a handful of fresh basil for a Mediterranean flair.
- Spicy Southwest Stew - Mix in green chilies, cumin, and chili powder for a bold, smoky flavor.
What To Eat With Instant Pot Beef Stew
Pressure cooker beef stew is rich, hearty, and full of flavor, making it the perfect main dish to pair with a variety of comforting sides. Here are some delicious options to serve alongside it:
- Crusty Bread or Dinner Rolls - Perfect for soaking up the flavorful gravy.
- Mashed Potatoes - A classic, creamy side that complements the tender beef and vegetables.
- Rice or Cauliflower Rice - Helps stretch the meal and absorbs the savory sauce beautifully.
- Buttered Egg Noodles - Adds a comforting, homey touch and works well with the stew’s broth.
How Long Does It Last?
Instant Pot beef stew typically lasts about 4 to 5 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. Allow the stew to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container to keep it fresh and prevent excess moisture buildup.
When reheating, warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much
Can You Freeze It?
For longer storage, you can freeze beef stew for up to 3 months, just be aware that the potatoes may soften slightly after thawing. It’s best enjoyed within a few days for the richest flavor and best texture.
Want More Stew Meat Recipes?
- Love beef stew? This Beef Daube , or French-style beef stew, is an elegant yet familiar dish that is oh so delicious!
- This Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff recipe might be the best beef stroganoff you’ve ever had! Best of all, it’s low carb!
- This Caldo De Res recipe gives you real Mexican beef soup flavor in less than an hour!
- Put a little Indian twist on dinner tonight with this Dutch Oven Beef Stew !
- Have some leftover beef stew meat? Check out my 16+ Easy Stew Meat Recipes That Aren’t Just Beef Stew for more delicious recipes to cook!
- Instant Pot Bo Kho - a Vietnamese take on this popular dish.
Pressure Cooker Beef Stew Recipe | Easy Instant Pot Beef Stew
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- SLOW COOKER CUISINART 3.5 QUART
Ingredients
- ▢ 1 pound Beef Stew Meat
- ▢ 1 Onion , chopped
- ▢ 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- ▢ 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ▢ 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ▢ 1-2 teaspoons Ground Black Pepper
- ▢ 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- ▢ 1/2 cup Water
- ▢ 1 cup baby carrots
- ▢ 2 cups Mushrooms , sliced
- ▢ 2 cups Potatoes , chopped into 3 inch pieces
- ▢ 2 Bay Leaves
For Thickening
- ▢ 1 tablespoon corn starch , or arrowroot powder Optional
- ▢ 4 tablespoons Water
Instructions
Instant Pot
- Throw everything into the Instant Pot except for the mushrooms and carrots and stir until the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes and release pressure quickly.
- Add the carrots and mushrooms and cook for 2 mins at High Pressure and let it release pressure naturally.
Thickening Options
- If you want a thicker gravy, turn your Instant Pot on to Sauté, and once it’s hot and the sauce is bubbling, make a cornstarch slurry and mix in, allowing it to thicken.
- I don’t usually like thickeners so I often use 1 cup of cauliflower which cooks down and thickens the gravy. If you’re doing this, cook it along with the meat.
Slow Cooker
- For the slow cooker, put everything into your slow cooker except the corn starch and water slurry, cook on low for 6-8 hours and on high for 4 hours until the meat is tender.
Watch The Video
Slow Cooker Tips And Tricks
- Add everything into the slow cooker except the corn starch and water slurry. In a pressure cooker, vegetables take longer to cook and break down. In contrast, slower cooking breaks down meats faster and makes them very tender. So you can put everything in at the same time
- Increase water to about 1-1.5 cups. This is because you will lose some of the water to evaporation. In a pressure cooker, since it is totally sealed, you lose very little water to evaporation. This is why you always need to use less water when converting a recipe to pressure cooking.
How To Make This Low Carb
- Use turnips or radishes instead of potatoes . If using turnips, cut them into 2-3 inch cubes. If using radishes, leave them whole.
- Reduce or skip carrots. You can use frozen green beans instead. By using frozen beans, you will ensure they don’t get overcooked in the time it takes for the other vegetables to cook.
- You can also use frozen cauliflower along with the other vegetables.
- Either skip the cornstarch slurry all together , and let the stew be a little thin, or use Xanthan Gum . Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to thicken the stew. Do not make a slurry with it! You will have a sticky, mucilaginous mess on your hands. Just turn the pot to Sauté, sprinkle the gum evenly, and then stir until thickened.
- You can also add a cup or two of riced cauliflower in with the veggies. This will cook down and can sometimes help to thicken the gravy or sauce. You do not need to change cook times if you do this.
- Eat it plain or serve it over shirataki noodles.
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Nutrition
Don’t forget to check out my otherBest-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!
Indian Instant Pot , Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy , Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot .
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Pressure Cooker Beef Stew Recipe | Easy Instant Pot Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 1 pound Beef Stew Meat
- 1 Onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1-2 teaspoons Ground Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1 cup baby carrots
- 2 cups Mushrooms sliced
- 2 cups Potatoes chopped into 3 inch pieces
- 2 Bay Leaves
For Thickening
- 1 tablespoon corn starch or arrowroot powder Optional
- 4 tablespoons Water
Instructions
Instant Pot
- Throw everything into the Instant Pot except for the mushrooms and carrots and stir until the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes and release pressure quickly.
- Add the carrots and mushrooms and cook for 2 mins at High Pressure and let it release pressure naturally.
Thickening Options
- If you want a thicker gravy, turn your Instant Pot on to Sauté, and once it’s hot and the sauce is bubbling, make a cornstarch slurry and mix in, allowing it to thicken.
- I don’t usually like thickeners so I often use 1 cup of cauliflower which cooks down and thickens the gravy. If you’re doing this, cook it along with the meat.
Slow Cooker
- For the slow cooker, put everything into your slow cooker except the corn starch and water slurry, cook on low for 6-8 hours and on high for 4 hours until the meat is tender.
Slow Cooker Tips And Tricks
- Add everything into the slow cooker except the corn starch and water slurry. In a pressure cooker, vegetables take longer to cook and break down. In contrast, slower cooking breaks down meats faster and makes them very tender. So you can put everything in at the same time
- Increase water to about 1-1.5 cups. This is because you will lose some of the water to evaporation. In a pressure cooker, since it is totally sealed, you lose very little water to evaporation. This is why you always need to use less water when converting a recipe to pressure cooking.
How To Make This Low Carb
- Use turnips or radishes instead of potatoes . If using turnips, cut them into 2-3 inch cubes. If using radishes, leave them whole.
- Reduce or skip carrots. You can use frozen green beans instead. By using frozen beans, you will ensure they don’t get overcooked in the time it takes for the other vegetables to cook.
- You can also use frozen cauliflower along with the other vegetables.
- Either skip the cornstarch slurry all together , and let the stew be a little thin, or use Xanthan Gum . Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to thicken the stew. Do not make a slurry with it! You will have a sticky, mucilaginous mess on your hands. Just turn the pot to Sauté, sprinkle the gum evenly, and then stir until thickened.
- You can also add a cup or two of riced cauliflower in with the veggies. This will cook down and can sometimes help to thicken the gravy or sauce. You do not need to change cook times if you do this.
- Eat it plain or serve it over shirataki noodles.
Pressure Cooker Beef Stew Recipe | Easy Instant Pot Beef Stew https://twosleevers.com/pressure-cooker-beef-stew/
Cream cheese pound cake is a keto-friendly pound cake dessert made with cream cheese, butter, almond flour, eggs, sour cream, and a low-carb sweetener like Swerve. It works well for keto and low-carb dessert cravings when you still want a classic cake vibe. Unlike traditional pound cake recipes made with wheat flour and sugar, this version stays rich and dense while keeping carbs low by using almond flour and a sugar substitute.
This Cream Cheese Pound Cake is pure bliss. It’s so soft, creamy, and delicious regardless of whether or not you’re doing Keto. I love finding Keto and low carb desserts I can eat without guilt. Often I’ve tried recipes only to make them and have them be dry, crumbly, or not taste like a dessert at all.
Low-Carb Pound Cake
I love, love, LOVE pound cake. Let’s be honest, I love ALL cake, but pound cake holds a special place in my heart and tummy. I really wanted a low-carb pound cake recipe , but for some reason, I was intimidated by turning this into a Cream Cheese Pound Cake recipe .
What If I Only Have Coconut Flour?
I would advise against it. These two are not interchangeable. I always have people ask me this for recipes, so I’m answering the question before you even have a chance to ask. If you only have coconut flour, get almond flour too, because it makes so many amazing keto cake recipes, and I use it often.
How To Make Keto Pound Cake
- Preheat your oven. Grease a bundt pan . In a stand-up mixer, beat together the butter, cream cheese, and Swerve until light and fluffy.
- Add almond extract and mix well.
- Incorporate the eggs and sour cream and mix well.
- Add all the dry ingredients until well combined. Beat the mixture until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the greased bundt pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted to the bottom of it comes clean.
Tips and Tricks
- For an easy sweet tooth fix, cut up slices and freeze individual slices
- You MUST use almond flour for this recipe
- Beat the batter well!
- Use a Six cup bundt pan , not the large 10-12 cup pan
VARIATIONS
- Use for strawberry or raspberry shortcake with LOTS of whipped cream.
- Add lemon extract and 1 tablespoon of lemon rind for lemon pound cake.
- Add cinnamon and nutmeg for a low carb cake that resembles your favorite spice cake.
Think of this Cream Cheese Pound Cake recipe as not just a pound cake, but also as a base cake recipe you can change to suit your needs. It can be quite versatile.
How Long Does It Last?
Pound cake is high in moisture, so it doesn’t last as long as some other keto desserts. For this reason, I would suggest eating it within 3-4 days of baking. Even if you refrigerate it, the texture will change significantly and leave you with a very dense, soggy keto cake.
Can I Freeze It?
Why yes, yes you can. This keto pound cake is so dense (in a good way!) and buttery tasting, that it actually freezes extremely well. Here’s how to do it:
- Cool . Let the keto cake cool to room temperature.
- Slice . Slice into individual servings so it will thaw quicker.
- Wrap . Wrap in parchment paper and place in a freezer bag.
- Freeze . Pop in the freezer to enjoy later.
A keto cream cheese pound cake with almond flour often turns out dry because almond flour absorbs moisture differently than wheat flour, and the cake can overbake quickly, especially in a bundt or loaf pan. Another common cause is ingredient imbalance, such as too much coconut flour, not enough fat or moisture boosters like sour cream, or using a sweetener like erythritol that bakes up drier than allulose. Cold ingredients can also lead to an uneven batter that bakes dense and dry, so use room temperature cream cheese, butter, and eggs, mix just until combined, and pull the cake as soon as it reaches doneness to avoid drying out further.
To convert keto cream cheese pound cake to mini loaf pans, portion the batter so each pan is filled about two-thirds full, then bake at the same temperature, but start checking early since almond flour pound cake bakes faster in smaller pans. As a general guide, mini loaves often finish in about 20 to 35 minutes, depending on size, so test with a clean toothpick and a set, lightly golden top, then cool before removing so the crumb can firm up. For best results, line the mini pans with parchment or grease well to prevent sticking, which is common with sugar-free cream cheese pound cake.
Net carbs per slice of keto cream cheese pound cake with almond flour vary by the slice size, but each serving should land around 5 grams net carbs per slice when cut into 8 slices.
More Keto Desserts
- Keto Desserts
- Low Carb Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Keto Cheesecake
Cream Cheese Pound Cake | Keto Pound Cake
Equipment
- KITCHENAID STAND MIXER
- 6 cup bundt pan
Ingredients
- ▢ 4 ounces ( 113.4 g ) Cream Cheese , at room temperature
- ▢ 4 tablespoons ( 4 tablespoons ) softened butter
- ▢ 1/2 cup ( 45.5 g ) Swerve , or Truvia
- ▢ 1 Teaspoon ( 1 Teaspoon ) Almond Extract
- ▢ 4 ( 4 ) Eggs
- ▢ 1/4 cup ( 57.5 g ) sour cream
- ▢ 2 cups ( 224 g ) Superfine Almond Flour
- ▢ 2 teaspoons ( 2 teaspoons ) Baking Powder
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 6-cup bundt pan and set aside. In a large stand-up mixer bowl using the paddle attachment on the mixer, beat together the butter, cream cheese, and Swerve until light and fluffy and well incorporated.
Add the almond extract and mix well.
Add the eggs and sour cream and mix well.
Add all the dry ingredients until well combined. Beat the mixture until it is light and fluffy.
Pour the batter into the greased bundt pan. Bake for 40 minutes until a toothpick inserted to the bottom of it comes clean.
For an easy sweet tooth fix, cut up slices and freeze individual slices
You MUST use almond flour for this recipe
Beat the batter well!
Use a [eafl id=“21727” name=“6 cup bundt pan” text=“Six cup bundt pan”], not the large 10-12 cup pan
Get support & connect with our community on Facebook!
Nutrition
Don’t forget to check out my other Ketocookbooks.
Keto Instant Pot, Keto Fat Bombs, Sweets, & Treats , and Easy keto in 30 minutes.
