Maple Bread Pudding
Lazy Day Beef Stew (Fresh or Frozen Beef)
By :The Rootitoot Cookbook by Ruth McCusker |

Lazy Day Beef Stew (Fresh or Frozen Beef)
I am now officially a convert. I had never cooked stew with frozen beef... In. My. Life. But a while ago, I had the flu for three days. Then I got hungry but had no energy. I decided to take a chance and make a “dump” stew using a solid block of frozen stew beef and go back to bed. The result was unbelievable. Tender, brown beef and great flavour. I still do it the old-fashioned way as I describe in my real Beef Stew recipe, but this is a quick and very good alternative for sick days, or just “those days”.
Cuisine | Modern |
Difficulty | Easy |
Browse Category | Soups, Stews & Broths |
Duration | 30-60 min |
Cooking Technique | Pressure Cook, Sauté |
Main Ingredient | Beef stew meat, Broth, Carrot, Onion, Potatoes, Worcestershire sauce |
Cook Time | 45 minutes |
Servings |
4 people
|
Ingredients
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp vinegar any kind
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 - 1.5 lbs stew beef frozen or fresh
- 3 - 4 red-skinned potatoes cut into
1 inch pieces - 2 to 3 carrots cut into
1 inch pieces - 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp Water
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley optional
Ingredients
|
Instructions
- Toss the first ten ingredients, up to and including the frozen stew beef, into the Instant Pot. Close the lid and make sure the valve is set to Sealing. Push Pressure Cook (or Manual) and use the +/– button to get to 25 minutes.
- While it's cooking, cut the potatoes and carrots into 1” pieces, with or without the skins. Make a slurry by stirring the cornstarch into the water until smooth.
- When the pot beeps that it's done, leave it for a 10-minute natural release. Then flip the valve to Venting for a quick release of any remaining pressure and when the pin drops, open the pot.
- Toss in the potatoes and carrots (not the peas) and gently push them into the liquid. Close the lid again and hit Pressure Cook (or Manual) . Set the cook time to 4 minutes. When it's done, do a quick release - pin drop - open the pot.
- Hit Cancel, then Saute. Give the cornstarch slurry a stir and when the stew is boiling stir in about half the slurry. Boil to thicken it and if you want it thicker, add more of the slurry.
- Hit Cancel and stir in the frozen peas. The heat of the stew will be enough to cook them without turning them to mush. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. Add the parsley, if using, and You. Are. Done.
- Go back to bed. And I hope you feel better soon.
Recipe Notes
Pressure Cook and Manual buttons are interchangeable.

The Rootitoot Cookbook by Ruth McCusker
Cook like a grandma with your Instant Pot!
* Enjoy a grandmother's tried and true comfort food recipes.
* Feel more confident and adventurous with your Instant Pot.
* Watch your family smile at your dependable, consistent results.
Here's what Rootitoot's followers are saying:
“The Instant Pot and Rootitoot turned me into a good cook.”
- Tammy Rosser
“The more of your recipes I make, the more confident I feel!.”
- Ruth MacDonald
“My husband told me to throw all my other cheesecake recipes away!”
- Pat Kelly Bain
“Seriously, your recipes are so solid EVERY TIME I try a new one."
- Margaret Garbarino
“You make cooking in the Instant Pot a pure joy.”
- Margie McDaniel Miller
Ruth “Rootitoot” McCusker has converted her treasured family recipes into Instant Pot masterpieces. This book is like having a loving grandmother at your side in the kitchen. Her step-by-step instructions, gentle humour and mouth-watering recipes will have you cooking with confidence in no time.
All recipes by : The Rootitoot Cookbook by Ruth McCusker
Newsletter
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!