If you’re craving a rich, comforting dinner that comes together faster than you’d expect, you’re going to adore this Pressure Cooker Beef Stew Recipe. It’s packed with tender chunks of beef, hearty potatoes, and vibrant veggies—all simmered to perfection in your pressure cooker. I absolutely love how this turns out every time, and I can’t wait to share my go-to tips with you so it’s a guaranteed winner in your kitchen too.

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast and Flavorful: Using a pressure cooker cuts down the cook time dramatically without sacrificing depth of flavor.
Perfectly Tender Beef: Chuck roast cubes become melt-in-your-mouth tender, thanks to the even cooking pressure delivers.
One-Pot Convenience: Everything cooks in the same pot, minimizing cleanup and maximizing ease.
Customizable Veggies: You can swap or add your favorite vegetables to personalize the stew just the way you like it.

A white bowl filled with thick beef stew sits on a white marbled surface, with a white plate underneath. The stew has three main layers: the top layer is bright green peas scattered unevenly, followed by small, orange carrot cubes and corn kernels adding patches of yellow. The bottom layers include large brown beef chunks and pale cream potato pieces, all soaked in rich dark brown-red sauce. A silver spoon rests partially dipped in the stew on the right side of the bowl. In the blurred background, two clear glasses filled with a light yellow drink and a soft blue cloth are visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Pressure Cooker Beef Stew, quick beef stew recipe, easy beef stew, hearty pressure cooker dinner, tender beef stew

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this Pressure Cooker Beef Stew Recipe come together to create a classic, comforting flavor profile that’s slightly rustic and totally satisfying. Pro tip: choose a well-marbled chuck roast because the fat helps keep the beef juicy and flavorful after pressure cooking.

Flat lay of raw chuck roast cubes with a rich deep red color, bright orange carrot pieces, small quartered new potatoes with light brown skin, crisp celery ribs cut into chunks, a heap of diced white onions, vibrant frozen green peas and yellow corn kernels scattered beside sprigs of dried parsley and glossy crushed tomatoes, all beautifully arranged in an inviting composition, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Pressure Cooker Beef Stew, quick beef stew recipe, easy beef stew, hearty pressure cooker dinner, tender beef stew

Chuck roast: Go for well-marbled beef for that irresistible tenderness.
Vegetable oil and butter: I like using both for a nice balance of flavor and browning.
Diced frozen onion: Frozen works perfectly and saves prep time.
Beef broth (reduced-sodium): Reduced sodium lets you control the saltiness better.
Crushed tomatoes: Adds a subtle acidity that brightens the stew.
Dried parsley and bay leaves: Classic herbs that build cozy, savory layers.
New potatoes: They hold their shape better and have a creamy texture.
Carrots and celery: Essential for that classic stew flavor and texture contrast.
All-purpose flour and cold water: For making a slurry to thicken the stew perfectly.
Frozen corn and peas: Added at the end for a pop of sweetness and color.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how this Pressure Cooker Beef Stew Recipe is so easy to customize based on what you have in your fridge or what flavors you’re craving. Here are a few ways I’ve tweaked it over the years that you might want to try too.

Add mushrooms: My family goes crazy for it with sliced cremini or button mushrooms stirred in for an earthy depth.
Swap veggies seasonally: Try parsnips or turnips in fall, or even sweet potatoes for a touch of sweetness.
Make it gluten-free: Use cornstarch or arrowroot powder instead of flour for thickening, it works like a charm!
Spice it up: Toss in a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne if you like a little subtle heat.

How to Make Pressure Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Beef for Maximum Flavor

Start by seasoning your chuck roast cubes generously with salt and pepper—that seasoning is essential for depth. Then, set your pressure cooker to the Sauté function, add the vegetable oil and butter, and let the butter melt completely. Brown the beef in batches, about 5 minutes each, making sure not to crowd the pot. This step creates those delicious browned bits that really amp up the stew’s flavor—trust me, don’t skip it!

Step 2: Sauté Onion and Deglaze

After removing the browned beef, toss the frozen diced onion into the pot and sauté for about 3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Then it’s time to deglaze: pour in the beef broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those tasty browned bits stuck to the bottom. This little step adds so much rich complexity to your stew.

Step 3: Add Tomatoes, Herbs, and Pressure Cook

Next, stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried parsley, bay leaves, and browned beef along with any juices that have collected on your plate. Lock the lid in place, set your pressure cooker to High Pressure, and cook for 10 minutes. When it’s done, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes for that gradual, tenderizing effect, then finish with a quick release.

Step 4: Add Veggies and Finish Cooking

Carefully open the lid, then stir in your potatoes, carrots, and celery. Seal the lid again and cook on High Pressure for another 2 minutes to get those veggies perfectly tender but not mushy. Again, natural release for 5 minutes followed by quick release will give you the best texture.

Step 5: Thicken and Add Final Touches

Remove and discard the bay leaves. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and cold water to make a smooth slurry, then add about a cup of hot broth from the pot to temper it before stirring it back into the stew. Switch the pressure cooker back to Sauté and bring the liquid to a boil, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Finally, stir in the frozen corn and peas and adjust salt and pepper to taste. This last step adds a lovely pop of sweetness and vibrancy.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Pressure Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

Don’t Rush Browning: I once skipped layering the browning step and missed that deep, rich flavor it develops.
Use Natural Pressure Release: Letting the pressure release naturally for a few minutes after cooking makes the beef and veggies tender but not mushy.
Adjust Veggie Timing: Adding potatoes and carrots later prevents them from turning to mush but still cooks them through perfectly.
Thicken Gradually: Whisk the slurry with hot broth before adding to avoid lumps and keep the stew silky smooth.

How to Serve Pressure Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

A close-up of a blue bowl filled with thick stew sitting on a white marbled surface. The stew has several layers including large orange carrot slices, light yellow potato chunks, green peas, yellow corn kernels, and chunks of browned beef, all mixed in a rich brown broth. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl, held by a woman's hand, with the stew slightly overflowing near the spoon. The background shows a blurry vegetable and a pan. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Pressure Cooker Beef Stew, quick beef stew recipe, easy beef stew, hearty pressure cooker dinner, tender beef stew

Garnishes

I usually finish this stew off with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley because it not only looks beautiful but adds a fresh, herbaceous contrast that balances all the savory richness. Sometimes a pinch of fresh cracked pepper right at the end really wakes up the flavors too.

Side Dishes

Since this stew is already hearty, I like to keep sides simple—a crusty baguette or some buttered egg noodles are my go-tos for soaking up that luscious sauce. On chillier days, creamy mashed potatoes also pair beautifully if you want extra comfort on your plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For a cozy dinner party, I love serving this Pressure Cooker Beef Stew Recipe in individual oven-safe bowls topped with a golden puff pastry lid. It makes the meal feel extra special and the pastry is perfect for dipping into the stew’s rich gravy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge—I find it stays great for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen and meld after a day, so leftovers are a treat in their own right.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this beef stew multiple times with no issues. Let it cool completely, then portion it out into freezer-safe containers or bags. It keeps beautifully for up to 3 months and defrosts quickly in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to warm evenly. If the stew thickened too much in the fridge, just splash in a bit of beef broth or water to loosen it up and bring it back to that perfect stew consistency.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef for this pressure cooker beef stew recipe?

Absolutely! While chuck roast is ideal due to its marbling and tenderness after slow cooking, you can also use beef brisket or stew meat. Just keep in mind that leaner cuts might cook faster and can dry out—so monitor cooking times carefully.
Is it necessary to brown the meat before pressure cooking?

I highly recommend it. Browning creates a deeper flavor foundation by developing those savory browned bits, which deglaze into a richer broth. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip it, but the stew won’t have that same robust taste.
How do I thicken the stew if it’s too thin?

Make a slurry by mixing all-purpose flour with cold water, then stir it into the simmering stew to thicken. Alternatively, cornstarch slurry works well too. Just be sure to add it gradually and stir constantly to prevent lumps.
Can I prepare this pressure cooker beef stew recipe in advance?

Definitely! It actually tastes better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. You can prepare it fully, then refrigerate or freeze, and reheat just before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Pressure Cooker Beef Stew Recipe has become a true favorite in my household because it delivers that cozy, homemade comfort food vibe without hours of waiting. Whether you’re cooking for your family after a long day or need a dependable dish to impress friends, this stew hits the spot every time. I encourage you to give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how quickly your pressure cooker turns simple ingredients into a soul-warming feast!