Imagine a hearty, mouthwatering stew that transports you straight to the rolling green hills of Ireland, without spending hours in the kitchen. This Instant Pot Irish Beef Stew is your ticket to a restaurant-quality meal in under an hour, packed with tender beef, rich flavors, and the kind of comfort that makes every bite feel like a warm hug. Whether you're battling a chilly evening or craving a taste of traditional Irish cuisine, this recipe is about to become your new go-to dinner hero!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: Irish
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cups beef broth
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the beef stew meat dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. This helps create a better sear and develops deeper flavor.
- Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add olive oil. Once hot, brown the beef pieces in batches, ensuring each piece gets a golden-brown crust. This step takes about 3-4 minutes per batch and adds rich flavor to the stew.
- Remove browned meat and set aside. In the same pot, sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until fragrant and slightly translucent, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Return browned beef to the Instant Pot and add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, sliced carrots, and diced potatoes. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing position, and cook on Manual/Pressure Cook mode at High Pressure for 35 minutes.
- After cooking completes, allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully do a quick release for remaining pressure.
- Open lid and check meat tenderness. If needed, use the back of a spoon to slightly mash some potatoes to thicken the stew.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if required. Let stew rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve hot in deep bowls, optionally garnished with fresh parsley and accompanied by crusty bread.
Tips
- Pat the beef dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear that locks in incredible flavor.
- Brown the meat in batches to avoid overcrowding, which prevents proper caramelization.
- Don't skip the sautéing step for onions and garlic - it builds a flavor foundation for your stew.
- Use high-quality beef broth for a more robust taste profile.
- Let the stew naturally release pressure for 10 minutes to keep the meat tender and juicy.
- For an extra thick stew, mash a few potatoes against the side of the pot to create a natural thickener.
- Fresh herbs like parsley can elevate the presentation and add a bright, fresh note to the rich stew.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up all the delicious broth - trust us, you won't want to waste a single drop!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 540kcal
Carbohydrates: 44g
Protein: 43g
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 80mg
