Instant Pot Beef Stew (Paleo, AIP)

Hearty Instant Pot Beef Stew with carrots, parsnips, and butternut squash. This potato-free stew recipe is filling, nutritious, paleo, whole30 and AIP-friendly. Recipe also includes a Low-FODMAP option!

Not too long ago, one of my friends and I were discussing the types of ingredients our parents  put in beef stew when we were kids. She remembered her dad once tossing in a bag of baby carrots, which just tickled me pink.

Unbeknownst to me, some people add tomatoes to their stew, which I found to be enlightening since my family never added them. It’s always nice to compare and contrast those old family classics that bring about such fond memories.

This particular friend stays away from nightshades (tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, peppers, chilis)  because they cause flairs in her autoimmune disease. She was saddened to tell me she no longer makes stew because she was accustomed to stews with tomatoes and potatoes.

I let her know that by complete happenstance, I make a nightshade-free stew using beef, carrots, celery, parsnips, onion, and butternut squash. I find the combination turns out with such amazing flavor – no nightshades necessary for those who follow the AIP diet or are cognizant of their lectin intake.

I have fond memories from childhood of my mom preparing beef stew in our ancient slow cooker…you know, one of the ones that really cook slooowly.

She would set it up in the morning and we’d have the most beautifully flavored stew come evening.

The tradition of making stew in the slow cooker holds that special warm fuzzy feeling of nostalgia for me. As a result, I began making my own Crock Pot Beef Stew not long after purchasing a slow cooker in my early twenties.

And then the Instant Pot came into my world and rotated a couple degrees clockwise.

I feel like a broken record when I say this, but I’m still amazed by the ability of the Instant Pot to produce such amazing meals in so little time.

The same incredible meal is made in (conservatively) an hour and a half from start-to-finish.

Sometimes I even think my Instant Pot recipes turn out with more developed flavor than my slow cooker meals, which again, baffles me silly!

Case in point: Beef stew? Always a good idea.

Instant Pot Beef Stew? Even better!

How to Make Instant Pot Beef Stew:

Begin by sautéing the onion for a few minutes in the Instant Pot.

Add in the beef and allow the meet to brown for a couple of minutes.

Add the rest of the ingredients, set the Instant Pot to the Stew/Meat function and set the cook time for 15 minutes. After the 15 minutes is up, allow the IP to naturally release for 20 to 30 minutes.

Release the lid, stir, and serve!

For thicker stew, press either Sauté or Boil on your pressure cooker and bring the stew to a full boil. Stir occasionally and allow the stew to boil until it has reached your desired thickness. 

You can also add 1 to 2 tablespoons of gluten-free all-purpose flour or tapioca flour to help thicken the stew.

Recipe Adaptations:

• For Low-FODMAP, omit the onion and garlic and add 1 Tablespoon of cider vinegar or lemon juice.
• Add 3 chopped vine-ripened tomatoes if you like tomatoes in your stew.
• Sub any hearty vegetable for the butternut squash, carrots, or parsnips. Sweet potato, turnip, acorn squash, pumpkin, rutabaga, or russet or gold potatoes work great.
• Substitute chicken broth for the beef broth.
• Add ⅓ to ⅓ cup dry red wine, such as cabernet sauvignon or Malbec.

Serve it up as is or with your favorite crusty gluten-free bread, cornbread, and/or even a dollop of coconut milk yogurt on top.

All fall and winter long!

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4.46 from 24 votes

Instant Pot Beef Stew

Easy beef stew made in the pressure cooker! Nightshade-free, AIP-friendly, whole30 and paleo.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time35 minutes mins

Total Time55 minutes mins

Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: American

Servings: 3 to 4 people

Calories: 486kcal

Author: Julia

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp avocado oil
• 1 small red onion diced*
• 2 lbs beef stew meat
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 Tbsp dried parsley
• 1 Tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp sea salt to taste
• 3 large carrots peeled and chopped
• 3 parsnips peeled peeled and chopped
• 2 cups butternut squash peeled and chopped
• 5 cups beef bone broth **
• 1 bay leaf

Instructions

• Turn on your Instant Pot, add the avocado oil, and press the Saute function. Add the chopped onion and saute, stirring occasionally, until onion is transluscent, about 5 minutes. 
• Add the beef stew meat and brown 1 to 2 minutes (do not cook through).
• Add the remaining ingredients for the stew and stir well. Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and press the Stew/Meat button. Adjust the time setting to 15 minutes. Set to Sealing.
• Once the stew has finished cooking, allow it to naturally vent until it completes its cycle (about 20 - 30 minutes). 
• For thicker stew, press either Sauté or Boil on your pressure cooker and bring the stew to a full boil. Stir occasionally and allow the stew to boil until it has reached your desired thickness. You can also add 1 to 2 tablespoons of gluten-free all-purpose flour or tapioca flour to help thicken the stew.

Slow Cooker Option:

• Add oil to a skillet and heat over medium. Add the onion and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the stew meat and brown for 2 to 3 minutes. 
• Transfer onion and beef to your slow cooker along with the rest of the ingredients for the stew. Stir well and secure the lid on your slow cooker. Cook on low 6 to 8 hours, until beef is nice and tender.

Notes

*Omit the onion and garlic for low-FODMAP

**Add more broth for thinner consistency

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 6 | Calories: 486kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 27g | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 8g