Instant Pot Apple Cider Beef Stew–a cozy stew with beef, carrots, celery and onions. The broth has a subtle sweetness that is a fun change from your usual savory stew.
(The slow cooker instructions are listed in the recipe card below)
Instant Pot Apple Cider Beef Stew
I know we aren’t *quite* to fall yet but I had to share this recipe for apple cider beef stew. It really was a winner! My family couldn’t get enough…especially Skyler. It was a different color than your normal tomato based beef stews and a different flavor too because it uses apple cider or apple juice as part of the liquid. But it was seriously so good! I think you’ll be surprised at how much you like it too.
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Canola oil–or another type of oil
- Beef stew meat–or a chuck or rump roast cut into bite size cubes
- Dried thyme leaves
- Black pepper
- Kosher salt
- Apple cider–or apple juice
- Water
- Better than Bouillon Beef Base
- Apple cider vinegar
- Onion
- Potatoes–I used Russet potatoes but you can also use red or yellow potatoes. You could also try sweet potatoes or butternut squash.
- Celery
- Carrots–you can also use baby carrots for a no peeling or chopping experience
- Flour–I used all purpose flour
- Salt and pepper–to taste. I added a couple big pinches of kosher salt and some freshly cracked pepper.
Instant Pot Steps
- Brown the beef: This step takes some time but it adds a lot of flavor to the meat and stew. Turn Instant Pot to sauté setting. When display says HOT add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the beef stew meat in one layer and brown on each side for a couple of minutes. You may need to do this step in batches. Sprinkle in the thyme leaves, pepper and kosher salt and stir to coat.
- Add in half of the ingredients: Pour in the apple cider, water, Better than Bouillon and vinegar. Scrape the bottom of the pot so that nothing is sticking. Add in the diced onion.
- Pressure cook the beef: Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 15 minutes. When time is up let the pot sit for 5 minutes and then move it to venting.
- Add in vegetables and pressure cook: Remove the lid and add in the potatoes, celery and carrots. Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 10 minutes. When time is up let the pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Thicken: In a small bowl whisk together the flour and water until smooth. Turn Instant Pot to sauté setting. Stir the flour mixture into the pot and let the stew thicken for about 2 minutes.
- Season and serve: Add a couple pinches of kosher salt and pepper (or add to taste). Ladle into bowls and enjoy! Don’t skip this step. I thought the stew was pretty mediocre but once I added in just a little extra salt it went from okay to amazing.
Notes/Tips
- Serve with biscuits, rolls, French bread or cornbread.
- This recipe can be gluten-free if you use cornstarch to thicken instead of flour to thicken.
- This recipe is dairy-free.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 8 quart pot. Halve the recipe in the 3 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with beef stew meat are Instant Pot Honey Garlic Beef or Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli.
Beef Stew Instant Pot Recipes…
Here are 6 other ways to make beef stew in the Instant Pot!
Instant Pot Wyoming Stew
Tender chunks of beef (or elk or deer) in a creamy gravy sauce with veggies and then topped with biscuits. A beef pot pie type of recipe that is ultra comfort food.
Instant Pot No Peek Stew
An easy beef stew recipe with only 6 ingredients! Tender chunks of beef, carrots, celery and potatoes in a savory sauce. Perfect comfort food.
Instant Pot Beef Stew
A super easy recipe for beef stew that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. This stew is comfort in a bowl!
Instant Pot Cheater Beef Stew
If you’re looking for the easiest beef stew recipe you may have found it! This recipe is made quickly in your Instant Pot and requires little to no prep and only 5 ingredients. No sauteing, chopping or browning. And best of all it tastes great!
Instant Pot Nana’s Beef Stew
A beef stew with lots of flavor and only a few ingredients. It tastes wonderful with fresh baked bread.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Apple Cider Beef Stew
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
A cozy stew with beef, carrots, celery and onions. The broth has a subtle sweetness that is a fun change from your usual savory stew.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp canola oil
- 1 3/4 pounds beef stew meat
- 3/4 tsp dried thyme leaves
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 cups apple cider or apple juice
- 2 cups water
- 2 Tbsp Better than Bouillon Beef Base
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 ribs of celery, sliced or diced
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup flour + 1/4 cup water
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Turn Instant Pot to sauté setting. When display says HOT add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the beef stew meat in one layer and brown on each side for a couple of minutes. You may need to do this step in batches. Sprinkle in the thyme leaves, pepper and kosher salt and stir to coat.
- Pour in the apple cider, water, Better than Bouillon and vinegar. Scrape the bottom of the pot so that nothing is sticking. Add in the diced onion.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 15 minutes. When time is up let the pot sit for 5 minutes and then move it to venting.
- Remove the lid and add in the potatoes, celery and carrots. Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 10 minutes. When time is up let the pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- In a small bowl whisk together the flour and water until smooth. Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. Stir the flour mixture into the pot and let the stew thicken for about 2 minutes.
- Add a couple pinches of kosher salt and pepper (or add to taste). Ladle into bowls and enjoy!
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Heat a pan on the stove over medium high heat. Add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the beef stew meat in one layer and brown on each side for a couple of minutes. Sprinkle in the thyme leaves, pepper and kosher salt and stir to coat and season the meat. Add the meat into your slow cooker.
- Add in the apple cider, water, Better than Bouillon and vinegar, diced onion, potatoes, celery and carrots. In a small bowl whisk together the flour and water until smooth. . Stir the flour mixture into the slow cooker.
- Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until beef and vegetables are tender.
- Add a couple pinches of kosher salt and pepper (or add to taste). Ladle into bowls and enjoy!
- Category: Beef
- Method: Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
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Sharon says
Good flavor. Will use less cider and water next time so not so liquidy. One tsp. of salt was enough for us.
Jaime says
Yummy, but took a long time to make
Karen says
Glad you liked it even though it took longer than you thought it would!
Samantha says
This was fabulous! I randomly stumbled upon your website recently searching out how-to information on my instant pot. I discovered you via YouTube.
I’m a first time user and I was very nervous. I’ve tried a couple of recipes and I’m very impressed! Definitely helped me become more comfortable using my instant pot. My husband say this is officially his favorite stew! Thanks a ton! Looking forward to more tasty recipes. 🙂
Karen says
So so happy you are here! Good for your to use your IP. You will love it the more you use it.
Cathy says
I need gluten free recipes. So omit the flour and use corn starch to thicken.
Karen says
Yes that would work just fine!
PattiAnn says
This is a great recipe. But try it with chunks of pork shoulder. Pork and apple cider are just a natural go together. Also add parsnips, if you can find them. BTB also makes a ham base, but it is very strong so I usually save it for bean dishes. So maybe sub chx base for the beef.
Thanks for posting a fall recioe. I’m so looking forward to cooler temos.
Karen says
I love those ideas PattiAnn!!!