Stew is the kind of dish that’s synonymous with cozy comfort food, but traditionally, it can take hours to develop the rich flavors that make it so satisfying. Enter this 45-minute beef stew, a quicker, weeknight-friendly version that doesn’t skimp on flavor or warmth. It’s the perfect balance of tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a savory broth, all simmered together to create a comforting, soul-warming dish that’s ready in a fraction of the usual time.
The secret to this speedy stew lies in how you prep and cook the ingredients. Using a pressure cooker or an Instant Pot, you can cut the usual cooking time by more than half, allowing the beef to become meltingly tender while maintaining that depth of flavor that makes stew so special. A good sear on the beef before adding the broth enhances the richness of the final dish, while the vegetables, carrots, potatoes, and onions, add the perfect amount of texture and sweetness.
The broth itself is a simple mix of beef stock, garlic, herbs, and a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar for depth. You don’t need hours to let the flavors develop; the pressure cooker works its magic in just 20 minutes, ensuring that every bite is as flavorful as it would be after a long, slow simmer.
This 45-minute beef stew isn’t just quick, it’s flexible, too. You can easily swap out vegetables, adjust the seasoning, or even add in a handful of peas or corn at the end to add another layer of texture. It’s a no-fuss, one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights but impressive enough to serve when you want to treat yourself (or your family) to something hearty and satisfying.
Serve it with a slice of crusty bread or over a bed of rice to soak up all that rich, flavorful broth, and you’ve got a comforting, filling meal that feels like it took hours, without the wait.

Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 carrots peeled and sliced
- 2 potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 tsp thyme dried
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss the beef stew meat with flour until evenly coated.
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the coated beef stew meat and cook until browned on all sides.
- Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion is tender.
- Pour in the beef broth and red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.
- Add the browned beef back into the pot, along with the sliced carrots, diced potatoes, dried thyme, and bay leaf.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover the pot.
- Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Serve the beef stew hot and enjoy!
Didn’t have red wine, so I used white, and it was still good! But I think the red would be better.
I guess it was okay, but mine turned out a bit bland. Maybe I needed more seasoning?
Very good recipe but I forgot to buy the red wine 🥴. Still turned out okay with just beef broth.
Beef stew?! This ain’t no stew, it’s like soup! More meat please
I made this yesterday, and I swear, it was better than my mom’s. No joke!
My kids didn’t eat it. They just picked out the potatoes. Not their favorite.
This beef stew is amazing! My family loved it. Definitely making again!
Too oily for my taste. I think less oil next time.
This stew is absolutely delicious! My family loved it!
So glad to hear that! I made it last week and felt the same. It’s such a comforting dish!
I dunno, the wine part feels weird for stew. Can’t you just use more broth? Seems like a waste.
I don’t know about the red wine part, seems unnecessary to me. Can I just use more broth?