Pressure Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

Carrots: Adds a natural sweetness and vibrant color to the stew.

Potatoes: Provides a hearty and filling element to the dish.

Onions: Adds a savory depth of flavor when sautéed.

Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor with its aromatic qualities.

Mushrooms: Contributes an earthy, umami taste to the stew.

Vegetable broth: Serves as the base liquid, adding richness to the stew.

Tomato paste: Thickens the stew and adds a concentrated tomato flavor.

Thyme: Infuses the stew with a subtle, herbaceous note.

Rosemary: Adds a fragrant, pine-like aroma that complements the beef.

Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors.

When sautéing the onions and garlic in the pressure cooker, make sure to let them cook until they are golden brown and fragrant. This step is crucial as it helps to build a deep, rich flavor base for the stew. Additionally, when adding the tomato paste, allow it to cook for a minute or two before adding the vegetable broth. This helps to caramelize the paste, enhancing its sweetness and adding complexity to the dish.

• Beef - Substitute with seitan: Seitan has a meaty texture and is high in protein, making it a great vegan alternative to beef.

• Beef broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth provides a rich flavor base without any animal products.

• Carrots - Substitute with carrots: Carrots are already vegan and do not need a substitute.

• Potatoes - Substitute with potatoes: Potatoes are already vegan and do not need a substitute.

• Onions - Substitute with onions: Onions are already vegan and do not need a substitute.

• Garlic - Substitute with garlic: Garlic is already vegan and does not need a substitute.

• Mushrooms - Substitute with mushrooms: Mushrooms are already vegan and do not need a substitute.

• Vegetable broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is already vegan and does not need a substitute.

• Tomato paste - Substitute with tomato paste: Tomato paste is already vegan and does not need a substitute.

• Thyme - Substitute with thyme: Thyme is already vegan and does not need a substitute.

• Rosemary - Substitute with rosemary: Rosemary is already vegan and does not need a substitute.

• Salt - Substitute with salt: Salt is already vegan and does not need a substitute.

• Pepper - Substitute with pepper: Pepper is already vegan and does not need a substitute.

• Allow the stew to cool completely before storing. This helps maintain the texture and flavor of the vegetables and prevents condensation from forming inside the storage container.

• Transfer the stew to an airtight container. Glass containers with tight-fitting lids are ideal, but BPA-free plastic containers or heavy-duty freezer bags also work well.

• For short-term storage, place the container in the refrigerator. The stew will keep well for up to 4-5 days. Make sure to label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness.

• For long-term storage, consider freezing the stew. Portion the stew into individual servings to make reheating easier. Leave a bit of space at the top of each container or bag to allow for expansion as the stew freezes.

• When using freezer bags, lay them flat in the freezer until solid. This saves space and makes it easier to stack multiple bags.

• To reheat, thaw the stew in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. For a quicker option, use the defrost setting on your microwave.

• Reheat the stew on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also reheat in the microwave, stirring every few minutes to ensure even heating.

• If the stew appears too thick after reheating, add a splash of vegetable broth or water to reach the desired consistency.

• Always taste and adjust the seasoning after reheating, as flavors can mellow during storage. Add a pinch of salt, a dash of pepper, or a sprinkle of herbs to refresh the flavor.

• For stovetop reheating, pour the leftover stew into a pot and heat over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. Add a splash of vegetable broth if it seems too thick.
• To reheat in the microwave, transfer the stew to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plate to prevent splatters. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a bit of vegetable broth if needed.
• If you have an Instant Pot or another pressure cooker, you can use the sauté function. Pour the stew back into the pot and set it to sauté mode. Stir occasionally until heated through.
• For oven reheating, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the stew to an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until warmed through. Stir halfway to ensure even heating.

• Pressure cooker: Essential for cooking the stew quickly and efficiently under high pressure.

• Sauté mode: A function on the pressure cooker used to sauté the onions, garlic, carrots, potatoes, and mushrooms before pressure cooking.

• Knife: Used for chopping the carrots, potatoes, onions, and slicing the mushrooms.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping and slicing vegetables.

• Measuring cups: Necessary for accurately measuring the carrots, potatoes, onions, mushrooms, and vegetable broth.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients together in the pressure cooker.

• Ladle: Useful for serving the stew once it is cooked.

• Garlic press: Handy for mincing the garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.

• Oil dispenser: Used to add a bit of oil for sautéing the onions and garlic.

Prep ingredients ahead: Chop carrots, potatoes, and onions in advance and store them in airtight containers.

Use pre-minced garlic: Save time by using store-bought minced garlic instead of mincing fresh cloves.

Instant broth: Opt for vegetable broth cubes or powder to quickly prepare the broth.

One-pot cooking: Utilize the pressure cooker for both sautéing and cooking to minimize cleanup.

Quick release: After natural pressure release, use the quick release method to save additional time.