Ultimate Keto Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe: Hearty, Low-Carb Comfort in Minutes!

This article provides a comprehensive guide to preparing a delicious and comforting keto-friendly beef stew using an Instant Pot. This recipe leverages the speed and convenience of the Instant Pot to deliver a tender, flavorful stew in a fraction of the time compared to traditional stovetop methods. We'll explore ingredient choices, step-by-step instructions, and variations for thickening and serving this satisfying dish.

Introduction

Beef stew is an American classic, offering comfort and warmth, especially on cold days. Traditionally, a good beef stew involves simmering small pieces of meat for hours until they become incredibly tender. The Instant Pot replicates this slow-cooked tenderness in a much shorter time. This keto beef stew uses fresh, whole, nutrient-dense foods, making it a healthy and satisfying meal.

Why Choose an Instant Pot for Beef Stew?

Using an Instant Pot significantly cuts down the cooking time. What used to take hours on the stove can be achieved in under an hour. Additionally, the Instant Pot simplifies the cooking process and minimizes cleanup, as you only need one pot for the entire recipe.

Ingredients for Keto Instant Pot Beef Stew

Here's a breakdown of the ingredients you'll need:

Beef: 1-1/2 to 2 inch cubes of beef chuck roast or beef stew meat are ideal. If using chuck roast, cut it into 1.5-2 inch cubes. Browning the beef before pressure cooking adds a ton of flavor and helps create juicy, tender, flavorful chunks of meat.
Oil: Olive oil or any other cooking oil suitable for searing.
Seasoning: Salt and pepper to taste.
Bone Broth: Beef bone broth is crucial for a rich and flavorful base.
Aromatics: Garlic, onion, and Italian seasonings enhance the stew's complexity.
Tomato Paste: Provides a concentrated tomato flavor without excessive carbs.
Low-Carb Vegetables: Carrots (used sparingly), Daikon radish (or regular red radishes), and mushrooms. Turnips or rutabaga can be used as alternatives to radishes.
Optional Thickening Agent: Xanthan gum or glucomannan for thickening the broth.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth of flavor.
Bay Leaves: Infuse the stew with a subtle herbal note.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to make this hearty stew, step-by-step:

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Sear the Beef: Turn the Instant Pot to the "sauté" setting. Add oil, then beef. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides (5 to 7 minutes). You may want to do this in two batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Remove the meat from the Instant Pot and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics: Add the onion to the Instant Pot and sauté for about 2 minutes, then add in the garlic and continue sautéing for another 20 seconds.
Deglaze the Pot: Add white wine to deglaze the pot and scrape up the browned bits of flavor from the bottom.
Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together tomato paste and ½ cup beef stock until smooth. Add Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, thyme, and marjoram and stir to incorporate. Return the beef to the Instant Pot. Add the vegetables (onions, carrots, radish, and mushrooms), tomato paste mixture, the remaining beef stock, and bay leaves. Stir well.
Pressure Cook: Close the lid and cook on manual mode at high pressure for 35 minutes. It will take about 10-15 minutes for the pressure to come to temperature. Make sure the valve is sealed.
Natural Pressure Release: Once the timer ends, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. Then, using a long wooden spoon, carefully push the steam valve to release the remaining pressure quickly.
Thicken (Optional): If you’d like a thicker broth, set your Instant Pot to the sauté setting. In a small bowl, place ½ cup water. Sprinkle xanthan gum or glucomannan over the surface and quickly whisk to incorporate. Add to stew in the Instant Pot and stir to evenly distribute. Simmer without the lid until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serve: Remove the bay leaves before serving.

Stove Top Cooking Method

If you prefer to cook this stew on the stovetop, follow these steps:

Sear the Beef: Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned beef and sear until browned on all sides. Remove the beef and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics: Add the onion to the pot and sauté until softened. Add the garlic and sauté for another 20 seconds.
Combine Ingredients: Add the tomato paste and spices. Stir until it forms a smooth sauce, then toss in your browned beef, broth, Worcestershire Sauce, and bay leaves.
Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5-2 hours, or until the beef is very tender.
Add Vegetables: Add the carrots and radish, simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes more. Add mushrooms in the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Thicken (Optional): If you would like your broth thicker please refer to paragraph above with information on how to thicken this beef stew.

Slow Cooker Method

Alternatively, you can use a slow cooker:

Brown the Beef (Optional but Recommended): If possible, brown your cubed beef in a skillet on medium heat before putting into the slow cooker. This adds a ton of flavor and helps create juicy, tender, flavorful chunks of meat!
Combine Ingredients: Arrange all cut vegetables, cubed beef, and other ingredients into a slow cooker. Stir well so that liquid and seasoning coats all ingredients.
Cook: Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high 4-5 hours.

Tips for a Perfect Keto Beef Stew

Beef Selection: Beef chuck is ideal because it becomes very tender when cooked for an extended period.
Browning the Beef: Searing the beef before pressure cooking (or slow cooking) enhances the depth of flavor. Don't skip this step!
Vegetable Options: Feel free to experiment with other low-carb vegetables like turnips or rutabaga.
Thickening: Xanthan gum and glucomannan are excellent keto-friendly thickening agents. Be careful not to add too much, as they can quickly thicken the stew to an undesirable consistency.
Carrots in Moderation: Carrots are relatively high in carbs compared to other vegetables. Use them sparingly or omit them altogether if you are on a strict keto diet.

Serving Suggestions

This keto beef stew is a complete meal on its own. However, you can pair it with:

Cauliflower Mash: A great alternative to traditional mashed potatoes.
Roasted Green Beans: A simple and healthy side dish.
Green Salad: A fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can balance the richness of the stew.

Storing and Reheating

Leftovers keep beautifully, and the flavors actually deepen overnight. Let the stew cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove top over medium heat or in the microwave.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of this Instant Pot Keto Beef Stew is approximately 5 net carbs. Nutritional data is provided as a courtesy and is accurate to the best of my knowledge. You can verify it using the nutrition calculator of your choice.

Addressing Common Concerns

Are Carrots Keto-Friendly?

Carrots are not completely off-limits on a keto diet, but they should be consumed in moderation. They contain more sugar than cruciferous vegetables. A medium carrot contains about 5 net carbs. This recipe uses only one carrot, so the carb impact per serving is minimal.

What is Xanthan Gum?

Xanthan gum is a popular food additive used as a thickener or stabilizer. It is created by fermenting sugar with a type of bacteria called Xanthomonas campestris. The resulting substance is dried and turned into a powder. When added to a liquid, it quickly disperses and creates a viscous and stable solution. It's a soluble fiber, meaning your body cannot break it down, so it provides no calories or nutrients.

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