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    Home » Recipes

    Instant Pot Frozen Beef Stew

    Published: Oct 20, 2020 · Modified: Feb 4, 2023 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 36 Comments

    You can make a hearty, healthy, and delicious beef stew in your Instant Pot in under an hour...using frozen stew meat and fresh vegetables. This recipe is so easy to make and perfect for a weeknight meal.

    beef stew in a bowl
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    Why I love this Instant Pot Frozen Beef Stew

    I love this Instant Pot Beef Stew because you can use frozen or thawed beef, fresh vegetables, and a mixture of herbs and spices that make this stew irresistible.

    I also love that you can use a pre-made seasoning packet for ease, or use your spice cabinet at home which probably has most of the needed ingredients.

    Another great thing about this stew recipe is that it is kid-friendly so it's the perfect weeknight meal and can be put together in just under an hour.

    Ingredients Needed to Make Beef Stew in under an Hour

    • beef stew meat
    • beef broth
    • Knorr vegetable recipe mix packet (or seasoning mix found in recipe card)
    • carrots, peeled and cubed
    • celery, diced
    • medium onion, diced
    • red potatoes, cubed
    • fresh ground pepper

    How to make Instant Pot Stew from Frozen Beef

    Cook the beef first: Place the frozen stew meat and 1 cup of beef stock in the Instant Pot and pressure cook on HIGH for 28 minutes. Allow the steam to release naturally.

    stew meat cooked in the instant pot

    Add the rest of the ingredients and cook again: Remove the lid and add the Knorr Vegetable Mix, prepared vegetables, and 1 more cup of beef stock. Pressure cook on HIGH for 4 minutes, quick-release the steam, season with pepper, and serve.

    beef stew in the instant pot

    What is Knorr Vegetable Recipe Mix?

    Knorr Vegetable Recipe Mix is a premade mix usually found in the soup or dip aisle in your grocery store. It has a ton of vegetables like carrots, onions, tomatoes, celery root, leeks, cabbage, cauliflower, green peas, and potatoes.

    It pretty much has all of the seasoning and flavor you need to make a delicious and healthy stew. I always have a packet or two in my pantry for emergency dinners or a quick sip to take to a gathering.

    knorr vegetable recipe mix

    Vegetable Mix Substitution

    The vegetable mix mentioned above is very convenient but sometimes it can be hard to find or you may just not have it on hand. If that's the case try this mix of spices from the pantry instead.

    If you don't have everything on the list, that's ok. Use what you have and what you like, your beef stew will still turn out great!

    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
    • 1 teaspoon ground (dried) turmeric or paprika
    • 1 teaspoon dried dill
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon celery seeds
    • 1 tablespoon kosher salt

    Can I Make This Stew if my Beef is not Frozen?

    Yes, you can make this stew with unfrozen meat. All you need to do is cut down the meat pressure cooking time to 20 minutes instead of 28 minutes. Follow the rest of the recipe as written and you will have a delicious stew in no time!

    easy instant pot beef stew in a bowl
    Click on the image above to PIN for later!

    Can this Beef Stew Recipe be Made in the Slow Cooker?

    Yes, you can make this beef stew in the slow cooker. That's how I used to make this stew before I got my Instant Pot! There are a few small changes to the recipe below:

    • Use meat that has been completely thawed before cooking.
    • You do not need to add beef stock to the slow cooker because the water from the beef and the vegetables will cook out and create a nice broth.
      • You can always add stock at the end of cooking if you want more broth but I would wait until the stew has fully cooked.
    • Place all of the ingredients (minus the beef stock) in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

    What Vegetables to Use for this Beef Stew

    I used carrots, celery, onion, and potatoes because that was what I had on hand. Here are some other ideas for vegetables that would also work in this Instant Pot Beef Stew.

    • turnips
    • parsnips
    • mushrooms
    • rutabagas
    • garlic
    • kale
    instant pot beef stew in a bowl

    What Garnishes work well with Beef Stew?

    This Instant Pot Beef Stew is really good right out of the Instant Pot or slow cooker. However, you could add some fresh herbs to the top like parsley, oregano, or chives.

    I also like to serve mine with a dollop of sour cream. It adds a nice creaminess to the stew and also helps cool the stew off a bit since it's nice and hot when served.

    How to store Instant Pot Beef Stew

    This Instant Pot Beef Stew can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. I would not recommend freezing this recipe because of the potatoes.

    beef stew with vegetables in the instant pot
    Click on the image above to PIN for later!
    beef stew in a bowl

    Instant Pot Frozen Beef Stew

    Make hearty, healthy, and delicious beef stew using frozen beef in less than an hour in the Instant Pot!
    5 from 18 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 32 minutes
    Steam Release: 18 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 307kcal
    Author: EmilyFabulous
    Cost: 15

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
    • 2 cups beef broth (can sub vegetable broth)
    • 1 packet Knorr vegetable recipe mix (or make your own spice mix, recipe in the notes)
    • ¾ cup carrots, peeled and cubed
    • ¾ cup celery, diced
    • ½ medium onion, diced
    • ¾ cup red potatoes, cubed
    • freshly ground pepper

    Instructions

    • Place the frozen stew meat and 1 cup of beef stock in the Instant Pot and pressure cook on HIGH for 28 minutes. Allow the steam to release naturally, mine took 18 minutes (don't skip this step or your meat will be tough).
      raw stew beef in the Instant Pot
    • Once the steam pin drops, carefully remove the lid and our in the Knorr Vegetable Mix.
      knorr vegetable recipe mix
    • Add the prepared vegetables and 1 more cup of beef stock. Place the lid back on the pressure cooker and ensure the steam valve is closed. Pressure cook on HIGH again for 4 minutes. This time you can carefully quick-release the steam. Add pepper if you would like, there is no need to add additional salt since it's in the broth and vegetable dip mix.
      beef stew in the instant pot
    • Add any toppings of choice and serve immediately.
      instant pot beef stew in a bowl

    Notes

    This Instant Pot Beef Stew can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. I would not recommend freezing this recipe because of the potatoes.
    The Knorr vegetable mix mentioned above is very convenient but sometimes it can be hard to find or you may just not have it on hand. If that's the case try this mix instead:
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley 
    • 1 teaspoon ground (dried) turmeric or paprika
    • 1 teaspoon dried dill
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon celery seeds
    • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
    Always read the instruction manual that came with your Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker and follow all safety guidelines. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 29.6g | Protein: 27.1g | Fat: 6.1g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 2549mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 4.2g | Sugar: 5.6g | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 3mg

    Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

    Did you make this Instant Pot Frozen Beef Stew?

    I always want to see what my readers are making in their kitchens, especially if they get a chance to make one of my recipes. Snap a photo of your Instant Pot Frozen Beef Stew and tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me your meal!

    Don't forget to sign up for my mailing list and follow me on Pinterest so you never miss a new recipe or cocktail. Thanks for checking out my site!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jacqueline says

      February 04, 2023 at 9:19 am

      A tablespoon of salt? I see sodium count is over 2000 mg, is this correct? Thanks

      Reply
      • Emily says

        February 04, 2023 at 12:12 pm

        Hi, yes the nutrition info was created using an online calculator. The sodium count is high in the vegetable mix or if you season it on your own using the ratios in the recipe. Of course, you can reduce the amount of salt you use.

        Reply
    2. KP says

      February 07, 2022 at 6:21 pm

      5 stars
      Was in a dash to find a recipe using frozen stew meat and found your recipe. It was really good! I made the seasoning pack since I didn't have the Knorr and it was so easy. Thanks for a great recipe!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        February 07, 2022 at 8:15 pm

        Yay! Thanks for letting me know. I'm so glad you found and liked this recipe, it's one of my go-to's on busy nights.😀

        Reply
    3. Leigh says

      October 28, 2021 at 9:16 pm

      Do you have any substitutes for the Knorr seasoning mix?
      Can’t wait to try this recipe!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        October 28, 2021 at 10:50 pm

        Leigh, I think you could make a mix similar to the Knorr version by using a combination of these spices:
        1 teaspoon garlic powder
        1 teaspoon dried minced onion
        1 teaspoon onion powder
        1 teaspoon dried oregano
        1 teaspoon dried parsley
        1 teaspoon ground (dried) turmeric
        1 teaspoon dried dill
        1 teaspoon ground black pepper
        1/4 tsp celery seeds
        1 tablespoon salt
        You may not have all of them (or like all of them) so you can decide what works for you. Start small since you can always add more but you can't take it out. Enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Mihaela|https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says

      April 01, 2021 at 9:53 am

      5 stars
      Such a hearty looking meal, perfect for an easy dinner! I haven't made one in ages, thanks for reminding me:))

      Reply
      • Emily says

        April 01, 2021 at 2:57 pm

        I love easy meals that fill you up! I hope you try this one!

        Reply
    5. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says

      March 31, 2021 at 8:37 pm

      5 stars
      Seeing all the instant pot recipes lately and now your delicious stew, makes me want to go out and buy one! Yum!!!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        April 01, 2021 at 12:53 am

        I resisted for a while but now I don't know how I would live without it!!😁

        Reply
    6. Sue says

      March 31, 2021 at 3:38 pm

      5 stars
      I love that I can make this with frozen stew meat - no more waiting for it to thaw!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        March 31, 2021 at 4:37 pm

        Nope, the Instant Pot is a total game-changer for weekday dinners!! Enjoy.

        Reply
    7. Arica says

      February 25, 2021 at 2:30 am

      5 stars
      Awesome tips for a quick and easy meal! I haven't had beef stew in so long. Yours looks so good!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        February 25, 2021 at 4:51 pm

        Thanks, Arica! Beef stew is always a good staple recipe to have on hand, you never know when you need it.

        Reply
    8. Jeannie says

      February 25, 2021 at 2:23 am

      5 stars
      thanks for sharing meal ideas that are easy to prepare and can be meal prep in advance.

      Reply
      • Emily says

        February 25, 2021 at 4:52 pm

        Everyone is busy these days so I totally get the need to plan ahead and have a meal ready to go. The easier the better!😀

        Reply
    9. Colette says

      February 25, 2021 at 12:09 am

      5 stars
      I think the Instant pot is one of the best inventions ever! 😁 It's amazing how fast you can cook frozen meat in it. I love stews; we make them a lot at our house. I'm so in love with your instant pot recipes. I've never used the Knorr vegetable mix before in stews, but I bet it's delicious! I'm writing it down to my grocery list right now. Thanks for sharing your recipe; I'm going to make it tonight.

      Reply
      • Emily says

        February 25, 2021 at 4:54 pm

        I totally agree, Colette! I don't know what I did before I got my Instant Pot. The vegetable mix is so yummy and has everything you need to season this stew. I can't wait to hear how it turns out!

        Reply
    10. Francy says

      February 24, 2021 at 5:12 pm

      5 stars
      I don't use much instant pot and l was looking for new ideas to make, this fast recipe is perfect, looks very good

      Reply
      • Emily says

        February 25, 2021 at 4:53 pm

        The Instant Pot can come in handy when you need a quick meal. I hope you get a chance to try this stew, you will love it!

        Reply
    11. Giangi says

      February 22, 2021 at 7:08 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect dinner for tonight! I happen to have all the ingredients on hand and did not know what to make for dinner.
      Thank you for sharing your recipe.

      Reply
      • Emily says

        February 22, 2021 at 8:28 pm

        That's the best when that happens, enjoy!

        Reply
    12. Leslie says

      October 25, 2020 at 7:22 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect, hearty, beef stew recipe!

      Reply
    13. Jill Patel says

      October 25, 2020 at 2:36 am

      5 stars
      love that this is such an easy meal in the instant pot!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        October 25, 2020 at 3:03 pm

        It's so easy and so yummy!

        Reply
    14. Chef Dennis says

      October 24, 2020 at 4:29 pm

      5 stars
      Your recipe came out perfectly and everyone loved the beef stew!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        October 24, 2020 at 4:52 pm

        So happy to hear it was a success!

        Reply
    15. Audrey says

      October 24, 2020 at 4:10 pm

      5 stars
      Very tasty instapot recipe!

      Reply
    16. Amy says

      October 24, 2020 at 2:33 am

      5 stars
      This recipe was delicious! Gosh I love my instant pot!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        October 24, 2020 at 3:45 am

        I agree, the Instant Pot is so amazing!

        Reply
    17. Alexandra says

      October 24, 2020 at 12:06 am

      5 stars
      This makes for such an easy and delicious dinner! We all enjoyed it!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        October 24, 2020 at 1:21 am

        I'm so glad to hear it!

        Reply
    18. Capri says

      October 23, 2020 at 11:56 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great recipe for a hearty family meal! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        October 24, 2020 at 1:21 am

        You are welcome, it's a perfect family meal.

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. 29 Family Friendly Meals On A Budget - Sweet Frugal Life says:
      June 18, 2021 at 8:20 pm

      […] up a quick beef stew in the instant pot with this recipe.  It’s the perfect hearty meal for a cool autumn day!  I especially love that you […]

      Reply
    2. 25+ Dirt Cheap Meals to Make Today - Everyday Thrifty says:
      May 20, 2021 at 7:51 pm

      […] Instant Pot Frozen Beef Stew […]

      Reply

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