Instant Pot Karpathian Beef Stew
If you do a Google search for “Beef Stew,” chances are high that you will get page after page of results for every type of beef stew that you can imagine. Search no longer! My Instant Pot Karpathian Beef Stew is not only tender and melt-in-your mouth delicious, but it’s super easy to make, fast — thanks to the Instant Pot — and the perfect “beginner level” Instant Pot recipe.
Karpathos – a beautiful island in Greece
My family is from a beautiful island named Karpathos in the Dodecanese of Greece. Menetes, my mother’s village, is a beautiful town situated on the top of a mountain, with breathtaking views of the sea below. The people who live there (many of whom are relatives) are hardworking, generous, proud, and fiercely protective of the island. They do their best to ensure that our customs and history are passed down through the generations.
The official dish of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos
Every year on August 15 in Menetes, the Church holds services and a panigiri to commemorate the Feast of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos occasion. Many people come from the neighboring villages to attend Church services, eat, visit with friends and relatives, and spend the afternoon and evening dancing, singing and celebrating.
Many volunteers spend countless hours preparing the Karpathian Beef Stew, which is traditionally served over rice, to many, many visitors. And the taste is extraordinary.
Karpathian Beef Stew – A cultural tradition
Not only do we enjoy a delicious beef stew together as a family, but it’s an opportunity for my mother to pass on generations of family stories, customs, memories, and teachings to my children.
Instant Pot Karpathian Beef Stew Ingredients:
Serves: 8-10
4 lbs. boneless beef chuck roast, cut into even-sized chunks
1 large sweet yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, chopped
14 oz. can crushed tomato
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon, or 1 cinammon stick
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tbsp. olive oil
How to make Instant Pot Karpathian Beef Stew:
- Press the saute button on your Instant Pot. Add olive oil. When the screen reads “hot” add onion to the pot and saute until translucent. Add the garlic and stir.
- Add 1/3 of the meat chunks and saute with the onion. Saute for 1 minute, and then remove the meat chunks, leaving the onion. Repeat this step until all of the meat has been sauteed.
- Add all of the meat back into the pot. Add salt and pepper and mix to combine.
- Add the tomato sauce. Stir to combine.
- Place the lid on the pot and seal. Ensure that the steam valve is closed.
- Press the Meat/Stew button and then press “more”. You want to cook the meat for 40 minutes.
- Once the Pot finishes cooking, allow to Natural Pressure Release (NPR) for 15-20 minutes. Then move the release valve to open and let out the last bit of pressure.
- Carefully open the lid. The meat should be super tender and fall apart easily with a fork. Adjust your seasonings at this step — adding more salt and pepper to your liking.
- If the meat is still chewy and not falling apart, put the lid back on and cook on the same setting for an additional 5 minutes, with 10 minutes NPR.
Enjoy Instant Pot Karpathian Beef Stew along with rice, noodles, cauliflower rice, or on it its own!
Karpathian Beef Stew Recipe:
Delicious Greek style beef stew -- made in the Instant Pot! Karpathian-style Beef stew is flavored with onion, garlic and cinnamon for a delicious savory, yet slightly sweet flavor. Paleo, low carb, and gluten free.
- 4 lbs. boneless beef chuck roast cut into even-sized chunks
- 1 large sweet yellow onion thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic chopped
- 14 oz. can crushed tomato
- 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon or 1 cinammon stick
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. pepper
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
-
Press the saute button on your Instant Pot. Add olive oil. When the screen reads "hot" add onion to the pot and saute until translucent. Add the garlic and stir.
-
Add 1/3 of the meat chunks and saute with the onion. Saute for 1 minute, and then remove the meat chunks, leaving the onion. Repeat this step until all of the meat has been sauteed.
-
Add all of the meat back into the pot. Add salt and pepper and mix to combine.
-
Add the tomato sauce. Stir to combine.
-
Place the lid on the pot and seal. Ensure that the steam valve is closed.
-
Press the Meat/Stew button and then press "more". You want to cook the meat for 40 minutes.
-
Once the Pot finishes cooking, allow to Natural Pressure Release (NPR) for 15-20 minutes. Then move the release valve to open and let out the last bit of pressure.
-
Carefully open the lid. The meat should be super tender and fall apart easily with a fork. Adjust your seasonings at this step -- adding more salt and pepper to your liking.
If the meat is still chewy and not falling apart, put the lid back on and cook on the same setting for an additional 5 minutes, with 10 minutes NPR. Enjoy along with rice, noodles, cauliflower rice, or on it its own!
P.S. If you’re new to the Instant Pot, I highly recommend trying it out. It can seem intimidating at first, but after you get the hang of it, it can save you hours of prep and cook time. Follow this link to purchase an Instant Pot like mine on Amazon.com.
By the way, if you want more Instant Pot recipes, try my Instant Pot Greek Meatballs!
