Simple ingredients, incredible savory flavor! Make this easy salsa beef stew in the Instant Pot or slow cooker and serve by the bowl or over mashed potatoes. YUM!
This delicious beef stew is different from your every day beef stew recipe – both in flavor and ingredients. I’ve been making it for years, and it has become one of my family’s most-requested meals!
Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Options
This salsa beef stew can be made in the Instant Pot or slow cooker, so you can choose whichever works best for your day. Both methods deliver tender beef and the same incredible savory flavor with very little hands-on work.
For either method, these are the simple steps:
- Add all the stew ingredients to the Instant Pot or slow cooker.
- Cover and cook.
- Whisk together beef broth and flour and stir into the stew.
- Cook until thickened.
Use the Instant Pot for a shorter cooking time, or let the slow cooker do its thing throughout the day. Instructions for both methods are included in the recipe below. ⬇️ ⬇️
Important Ingredients Notes
The ingredients for this savory salsa beef stew are a bit unique from a traditional beef stew recipe. The combination of the zesty salsa with the soy sauce and brown sugar creates the tastiest, most flavorful gravy ever!
Here are a few notes to help as you choose what type of ingredients to use:
- Beef: Use good-quality beef stew meat, or cut a boneless chuck roast into 1-inch pieces to use in the stew.
- Salsa: The salsa adds incredible flavor to the gravy, so choose a salsa that you like the taste of when eating plain. I prefer using mild salsa (almost always use this homemade salsa, but I’ve also used Trader Joe’s salsa verde). You can definitely use medium or spicy salsa for more heat to the stew.
- Beef broth: Beef broth or beef stock can be used. Low-sodium is important so that the stew isn’t too salty. It’s easier to add salt at the end if needed!
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Full-sodium soy sauce may make the stew too salty, so I highly recommend using low-sodium and adding additional salt at the end, if needed.
- Brown sugar: Don’t leave this out! The brown sugar helps balance the savory, salty flavors.
- Chopped carrots: Cut the carrots into 1/2-inch pieces (or slightly larger). Don’t chop them too small – you want them in nice bite-size pieces.
- Green beans: Frozen or canned green beans can be used. The green beans are very soft after cooking (both in the Instant Pot or slow cooker). I like the soft, slightly broken down texture, but if you want the beans more firm, add them toward the end of cooking.
Two Ways to Serve This Savory Beef Stew
- In bowls (like any other really great stew). Serve with crusty bread or homemade rolls. 10/10!
- Over mashed potatoes. CRAZY GOOD. Still recommend serving with bread of some sort for dipping and sopping up all the extra gravy.
I’ve served this stew for family reunions, when I’ve entertained company, for a big youth event…and mostly just for dinner around here. It’s a hit every time!
May you love and adore and devour this beef stew as much as we do!
Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Savory Salsa Beef Stew
Servings 6 to 7 servings
Calories 405kcal
Equipment
- 6-quart Instant Pot
- 8-Quart Slow Cooker
- Wire Whisk
Ingredients
Stew:
- 2 to 3 pounds beef stew meat or boneless chuck roast, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 16 ounces mild salsa (see note)
- 1 cup beef broth or stock
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce (the stew will likely be too salty with full-sodium soy sauce)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 ½ cups chopped carrots (1/2- to 3/4-inch pieces)
- 12-ounce bag frozen cut green beans (about 2 1/2 cups), or 1 to 2 cans green beans, drained (see note)
To Thicken:
- ¾ to 1 cup beef broth or stock (see note)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Instant Pot Directions: Add all of the stew ingredients to the insert of a 6-quart instant pot (don't add the 3/4 to 1 cup broth or the flour, that will be used to thicken the stew at the end).
- Stir to combine. Cover and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Quick release the pressure. If liquid spurts through the valve, close the valve, wait a few minutes and try again.
- Whisk or blend the beef broth and flour together until smooth. Slowly pour this mixture into the stew, stirring constantly. Mix thoroughly. Simmer on the Sauté setting, stirring constantly, until thickened.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve warm in bowls or over mashed potatoes.
- Slow Cooker Directions: Add all of the stew ingredients to a 6-quart or 8-quart slow cooker (don't add the 3/4 to 1 cup broth or the flour, that will be used to thicken the stew at the end).
- Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours until the beef is tender.
- Whisk or blend the beef broth and flour together until smooth. Slowly pour this mixture into the stew, stirring constantly. Mix thoroughly. Cover and cook on high for 20 to 30 minutes until thickened.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve warm in bowls or over mashed potatoes.
Notes
Salsa: Use medium or spicy salsa for more heat. As written, mild salsa does not make this stew spicy.
Green beans: The green beans are very soft after cooking (both in the Instant Pot or slow cooker). I like the soft, slightly broken down texture, but if you want the beans more firm, add them during the last two hours of cooking in the slow cooker. For the instant pot, release the pressure after the stew cooks and stir in the green beans. Simmer on the Sauté setting, stirring constantly, until the beans have cooked to your desired tenderness.
Optional: Stir in canned or frozen corn at the end and heat through.
Beef broth: For the beef broth to thicken the stew, use 3/4 cup for a thicker gravy (recommended if serving over mashed potatoes) or 1 cup for less-thick gravy (recommended if serving in bowls).
Nutrition
Calories: 405kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 1447mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g
Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe (adapted from a recipe given to me by my friend, Nicole, ten years ago – been making it ever since!)
The post Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Savory Salsa Beef Stew appeared first on Mel's Kitchen Cafe.
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