Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe (5 Spice Beef Stew)

By Becky Hardin

Updated Jul 16, 2026

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This Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe (5-Spice Beef Stew) is at the top of my list of favorite winter dishes this year. There’s just something about this beef stew that I find comforting. Plus, it’s easy to make and has a unique taste. I’ve loaded it up with stew meat, carrots, parsnips, spices, and more, and it comes together in 25 minutes. I get so much flavor with so little effort.

Fast and Flavorful Stew

I’m so excited about this Instant Pot Beef Stew with Five Spice. Though I do enjoy Guinness beef stew, the addition of the Chinese 5-spice just takes the flavor over the top for an even tastier dish. I find it adds just enough difference to really make it stand out.

And making this stew in the Instant Pot means I can get a few other things done while the pot works its magic. It takes me just a few minutes to season the beef, sear it, and load it into the Instant Pot with all the other ingredients. I set it to high pressure, and then 25 minutes later, I can sit down to a tender, juicy stew loaded with fresh veggies. This recipe makes enough for my family of 4 and is ideal for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

Tips for Beginners

• Don’t crowd the pot. When searing the beef, do it in batches because if the pot is overcrowded, it will steam the meat instead of searing it.
• Adjust the thickness after cooking. If you’d like a heartier stew, use a slurry of cornstarch and cold water after cooking. Stir it in while the pot is on sauté until the stew reaches your preferred consistency. I usually use 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water.
• Change up the veggies. Use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes, throw in peas or whatever you have on hand.

Recipe Card

Instant Pot 5 Spice Beef Stew

Difficulty: Easy

4.51 from 59 votes

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 30 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Author: Becky Hardin

Print Rate

This cozy, flavorful Instant Pot beef stew is made with tender beef, carrots, parsnips, and warm five-spice seasoning. This easy pressure cooker recipe comes together with minimal effort for a comforting, family-friendly meal perfect for those chilly winter days.

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 lbs. beef stew meat
• ▢ 1½ tsp kosher salt
• ▢ 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ▢ 1 tbsp Chinese five spice seasoning
• ▢ 2 tbsp olive oil
• ▢ 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil or 1 tbsp butter
• ▢ 1 medium sweet yellow onion diced
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ ¼ cup tomato paste
• ▢ 32 oz. low-sodium beef broth chicken broth also works
• ▢ 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
• ▢ 1 cup chopped celery
• ▢ 1 cup carrots scrubbed and chopped
• ▢ 1 sweet potato peeled and chopped
• ▢ 2 parsnips peeled and chopped
• ▢ 2 turnips peeled and chopped
• ▢ 2 tbsp fresh cilantro minced

Instructions 

• Sprinkle the stew meat with salt, pepper and five-spice seasoning.
  2 lbs. beef stew meat, 1½ tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 1 tbsp Chinese five spice seasoning
• Set the Instant Pot to sauté. After 1 minute, add the olive oil and sesame oil. Place half of the stew meat in the pot and cook it until the meat has seared on both sides. Transfer the meat to a plate and repeat with the remaining stew meat. Set aside.
  2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil or 1 tbsp butter
• If needed, add 1 tbsp olive oil to the Instant Pot. Add the onion and sauté until the onion is translucent. Add the minced garlic and stir.
  1 medium sweet yellow onion, 3 cloves garlic
• Add the tomato paste, stir and cook for 1 minute.
  ¼ cup tomato paste
• Pour in the beef broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen the brown bits.
  32 oz. low-sodium beef broth
• Add hoisin sauce and the seared beef. Mix well.
  3 tbsp hoisin sauce
• Add celery, carrots, sweet potato, parsnip and turnips.
  1 cup chopped celery, 1 cup carrots, 1 sweet potato, 2 parsnips, 2 turnips
• Close the lid on the Instant Pot and be sure the steam valve is closed.
• Set the manual button to 25 minutes of high pressure and allow the pressure to release naturally.
• When the pressure has released, remove the lid and taste the stew. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and stir in the cilantro
  2 tbsp fresh cilantro
• Served on a bed of white rice and with a side of roasted broccoli. Enjoy!

Equipment

• Instant Pot

Becky’s Tips

• Sear the beef in batches, so it doesn’t steam instead of searing. 
• Add 2 tbsp of cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp of cold water to thicken the stew
• Change up the vegetables and use whatever you prefer. 
• Store leftovers for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. 

Calories: 702kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 69gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 177mgSodium: 1803mgPotassium: 1871mgFiber: 8gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 10320IUVitamin C: 35.7mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 7.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheat

Reheat over the stove or in the microwave.

Freeze

Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

I like to serve this stew with a side of plain basmati rice or this garlic rice. A side of broccoli or asparagus adds some green to my plate. I also like to have a few slices of no knead Dutch oven bread to soak up any sauce left on my plate. I find this stew is perfect to feed my family of four and a comforting meal on a cold fall or winter’s day.

More Instant Pot Recipes To Try

• For this Instant Pot Chili, I take beef, beans, chilies, tomatoes, and a host of seasonings, and simmer them in the pressure cooker.
• This Instant Pot Pot Roast has all the cozy flavor of a slow-cooked roast with fall-apart tender beef, savory gravy, and hearty vegetables.
• Instant Pot Sloppy Joes features simple ingredients that come together to make my favorite messy sandwiches in about half an hour.

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Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe

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