Instant Pot Beef Stew

I had nearly given up on attempting to make beef stew. There had been too many days dreaming of tender, fall apart, beef stew that ended in yet another sad dinner of tough beef, an unimpressive combination of vegetables and broth, and a heavy side of disappointment. Enter the Instant Pot. 

I heard whispers that an Instant Pot could make all the tender and flavorful dinner dreams come true. Rumors probably, exaggerations surely – I thought. When I was unexpectedly gifted an Instant Pot of my own, hopes for that sought-after tender beef stew started to creep back in. After reading (and re-reading) the user manual, I gave-in to my beef stew dreams one more time, and after thirty minutes, there was stew – glorious, tender, savory, dreamy stew. Now it’s time to make your beef stew dreams come true too.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 1.5lbs. beef stew meat
• 1 bag of carrots
• 1 bag of small, golden potatoes
• 1, 32oz. carton of beef broth
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 2TBS. balsamic vinegar
• Half a 6oz. can of tomato paste
• Salt to taste
• 21 seasoning salute
• 2TBS. butter or ghee for searing
• Rosemary

1. Add 2 TBS of butter, or ghee, to the bottom of the Instant Pot and turn the sauté function on.
2. Once the butter is melted, add the stew meat, salt and minced garlic, and give the meat a good sear.
3. Turn the sauté function off and add chopped carrots and quartered potatoes.
4. Pour in one, 32oz. carton of beef broth and 2TBS. balsamic vinegar.
5. Add tomato paste, rosemary, and a generous shake of Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute. 
6. Seal the lid to the locked position and select the Stew pressure cooking setting.
7. Allow the Instant Pot to work its magic for 30 minutes before using the quick release.

Enjoy a steaming bowl of dreamy stew.