Instant Pot Beef Stew

 Instant Pot Beef Stew

Step 1- avocado oil and 3 lbs stewing beef

Step 2-  sea salt, pepper, 1 chopped onion

         2 T granulated garlic (or 3 cloves grated)

         3/4 bunch cilantro

         1 1/2 c beef broth ( to make your own: 1 1/2 c water and 1 cube beef bullion)

         1 1/2 tsp sea salt

Step 3 - 1 1/2 c frozen peas

Step 4 - 1 1/2 T cornstarch (or tapioca starch for paleo),  1 1/2 T cold water

cilantro for garnish

Step 1 - remove meat from fridge at least 30 minutes before starting to cook so it's not too cold. Peel and chop onion, peel and grate garlic. 

Step 2 - Add cilantro to blender, then beef broth, salt, pepper. Blend well. 

Brown beef - preheat instant pot by pressing sauté button. Add oil and brown meat in 4 batches. Do not add all the beef at once. individual pieces should not touch while browning. Add more oil as needed in between batches. Remove browned beef and set aside in a bowl.

Deglaze - once meet is browned, add some water to the pot and deglaze the bottom by scrubbing off all the burnt bits and pieces with a wooden spatula. Then remove the inner pot and rinse and dry before continuing. 

Add browned beef and cilantro water back into the instant pot. Cook on high for 30 minutes then let it completely natural release (10-20 minutes).

Step 3 - Once the safety pin drops, open the pot and add 1 c frozen peas and let them defrost in the hot sauce for about 2-3 minutes. Then remove all the meat and peas with a slotted spoon, leaving the liquid in the pot.

Add the starch and water to a small bowl, Stir vigorously until all clumps are gone.  Hit sauté again on the instant pot. Add starch slurry and whisk into the liquid. Continue stirring until the sauce comes to a boil and cook for about 1-2 minutes. The gravy will start to thicken fairly quickly. 

Serve the meat and peas over rice and pour plenty of cilantro gravy over it. Garnish with cilantro.

Note: this is really good, melt in your mouth amazing!