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.
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.
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?
This stew is so delicious! I added some celery, and it turned out great. My family loved it!
For stew, I prefer my mom’s recipe. This one ain’t it. Sorry.
Who has time for all this? 45 mins?? Rn I’m busy. Gonna skip this one.
Yum! This is exactly what I needed on a cold night. Tastes like home.
Really simple and quick! I was skeptikal at first about the wine, but wow! It added a nice depth of flavor.
I tried this recipe but it was too salty for my taste. Maybe cut back on the salt? idk.
I didn’t have thyme so I used oregano instead. Still pretty good!
Oregano works too! I think it adds a nice twist. Glad it turned out good for you!
Stew is stew, ya know? It was fine but nothing special. 🤷♂️
This stew was delicious! The red wine adds such a rich flavor. My family loved it!
This stew was a hit at my family dinner! The beef turned out so tender and flavorful. Highly recommend!
I wish I knew what red wine is for. Do I even need it?
This stew was absolutely delicious! My family loved it and it made the house smell amazing! Will definitely make again!
I don’t really like wine in my stew. Is it really necessary? What’s it taste like? 🤔
I totally get you! Wine can be a bit much for some. It adds a depth of flavor, but you can skip it if it’s not your thing. Just maybe add a bit more broth?
Nah, don’t need wine! I make my stew with just water and my family loves it. Doesn’t really change much, I think.
The beef stew was ok, but I think it needed more seasoning. Not as flavorful as I hoped.
I agree! Maybe adding some herbs like rosemary or a bit of paprika could help? Seasoning really makes a difference.
I used chicken instead of beef and it turned out fine. Just a tip for ya.
Good idea! Chicken is a healthier option. I’ll try it next time!
But it’s called beef stew for a reason! Won’t it taste weird with chicken?
Yum! 😋
I don’t like cooking that much, but this was easy and delicious. Must try again!
Does anyone else think stew is just glorified soup? 🤔
I tried this recipe but it turned out too salty. I think I used too much beef broth? Going to try again with less broth next time.
Just throw in a bit of sugar or some vinegar next time. It helps balance out saltiness too! But yeah, def try less broth.
I think that’s a good idea! The broth can be really salty sometimes, especially if you use a brand that has added salt. Less broth should make it better!
I don’t like using wine in cooking. Can I just skip that part?
Excellent! So easy to make, can’t believe it took only 45 mins! Will make again.
I don’t know, 45 mins seems too quick for stew. Is it really that good?
Right? I was shocked too! This recipe is a total lifesaver for busy nights. 😊
Meh. Not the best recipe I’ve tried, and I’ve made a lot of stews. More spices needed!
Who knew making stew was so simple! Very impressed! Awesome!
Yum! Can’t believe I made it in just 45 mins. Going to make it again for sure!
My stew was kinda bland. Next time I’ll add more seasoning.
I didn’t have thyme, so I put oregano instead. It still tasted nice. 🤷♀️
Oregano isn’t the same as thyme, but if it tasted good to you, that’s what matters! 👍
Took me longer than 45 minutes, but worth the wait. Next time, I’ll try to chop faster. Where’s the bay leaf in the ingredients??
I totally get the longer prep time! Chopping can be a real pain, but that stew sounds amazing. The bay leaf is there; just make sure you take it out before serving. Yum! 🍲
Yum! So warm and comforting! Perfect for a cold day. Will definitely make again!
I mean, it was okay but kinda bland. I think it needs more spices.
I think it needs more vegetables! Maybe some peas would be good? Just a thought.
Savory goodness! I cooked it longer than 30 mins, and it was super tender. Love it
Quick and easy! But can I add mushrooms? I love shrooms!
I dunno about mushrooms in beef stew… it ain’t right. Stick to the recipe, it’s perfect as is!
Absolutely! Mushrooms would add a nice texture and flavor to the stew. Just chop them up and toss them in with the other veggies!