Instant Pot Beef and Barley Stew Recipe - 100+ Five Star Reviews!

beef chuck

🥗Healthier: lean beef

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Chicken thighs are less expensive and still provide rich flavor.

barley

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: rice

Quinoa is a healthier grain option, while rice is often cheaper.

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with seasonings

Vegetable broth is lower in calories, while water with seasonings can be cost-effective.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is often less expensive and has a neutral flavor.

Chop 2 celery stalks down the middle and then into a nice chop, avoiding large chunks.

Peel and chop about 1.5 cups of carrots into size coins, using 2 carrots for measurement.

Dice 1 large yellow onion into small pieces, avoiding large chunks.

Rough chop 4 garlic cloves and add to the chopped veggies.

Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat up the inner pot.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of oil to the pot and then add all the chopped veggies and garlic.

Sauté the veggies for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.

Rough chop some rosemary (optional) and add it to the pot with the veggies.

Add 1.5 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to the pot.

Add 2 teaspoons of beef base and stir to coat the veggies evenly with the flavors.

Pour in 4 cups of beef broth and 1.5 cups of water, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom.

Add 1.5 pounds of stew meat to the pot, ensuring it's in bite-sized pieces.

Pour in 1 cup of dry pearled barley, ensuring it's submerged in the liquid without stirring it in.

Seal the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the pressure seal is set to seal, not vent.

Set the Instant Pot to cook on meat and stew or pressure mode for 25 minutes.

After 25 minutes, turn the pressure seal to vent to release steam and wait for the pin to drop.

Open the pot carefully, stir the stew, and let it cool for 10-15 minutes to thicken.

Serve the stew in bowls and enjoy.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: