Instant Pot Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 - 2 pounds beef stew meat, trimmed and cut into 1 - 2 inch chunks
• 1-2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/3 cup flour (use gluten free flour or arrowroot starch if needed)
• cooking oil
• 1 medium onion, cut into large chunks
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or red wine
• 4 medium Russet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1 inch chunks
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped into 1 inch chunks (leave out if desired)
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into slices (alternatively, a bag of carrots chips) -1-2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 4-5 cups beef broth, homemade or low sodium
• water as needed to cover the vegetables
• 1 star anise (optional but adds SO much depth and flavor)
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a large zip-top bag, combine flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Add meat and shake until well coated.

Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE, add cooking oil and brown the meat on all sides. Meat will not be cooked through. (Be sure not to crowd the pot - you may have to work in batches). Transfer browned meat onto a large plate.

Place the pot back in the pressure cooker and add onions and garlic and sauté for a minute or two then add the balsamic vinegar and tomato paste until just hot enough to deglaze the pot, about 1 minute.

Add the beef back into the pot along with potatoes, sweet potato, carrots, seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, broth, (star anise if using) and stir to combine. If there is not enough liquid to cover the vegetables, add water - only as much as needed.

Add the lid on the Instant Pot and set to 20 minutes with High Pressure on Manual mode. Allow the pressure cooker to release naturally for at least 15 minutes. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper if necessary (discard star anise if used).

**Optional: To thicken stew: Make a slurry by whisking 2 tablespoons of cool water with tablespoons cornstarch or flour (all purpose, gluten free or arrowroot powder). Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE and allow the stew to come to a boil and thicken up.