How to Make Delicious Beef Stew in a Rice Cooker

A rice cooker may seem like an unlikely cooking vessel for beef stew. But with the right ingredients and a few simple steps, you can easily whip up this comforting classic in the convenience of a rice cooker. Slow-cooked to tender perfection, it’s an easy set-it-and-forget-it one pot meal with minimal cleanup.

Benefits of Cooking Beef Stew in a Rice Cooker

Using a rice cooker to make beef stew offers several advantages

• Simple “dump and go” method – just add ingredients and turn on

• Hands-off cooking frees you up to multitask

• Automatically switches to warm when done, preventing overcooking

• Makes a complete meal including meat, veggies, and gravy

• Minimal watching or stirring required

• Fewer dishes since everything is made in one pot

• Tender, fall-apart meat and vegetables

• Adds smoky flavor from browning function

• Perfect weeknight meal with little effort

Ingredients Needed

To make beef stew in the rice cooker, you’ll need:

• Beef chuck or stew meat, cubed
• Onions, chopped
• Carrots, peeled and chopped
• Potatoes, peeled and cubed
• Celery stalks, chopped (optional)
• Beef broth or stock
• Tomatoes, diced (canned or fresh)
• Soy sauce
• Cornstarch (for thickening stew)
• Oil for browning meat
• Spices like garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps for irresistible beef stew from your rice cooker:

Prep

1. Chop onions, carrots, potatoes and celery (if using) into 1-inch pieces. Set aside.

2. Pat beef cubes dry and season all over with salt and pepper.

3. In a small bowl, make cornstarch slurry by mixing equal parts cornstarch and cold water.

Cook

1. Turn rice cooker to “Brown” or “Sauté” mode and add oil.

2. Working in batches, brown the beef cubes on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.

3. Add onions to pot and sauté 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute more.

4. Return beef to pot along with carrots, potatoes, celery, broth, tomatoes, herbs and soy sauce. Give a good stir.

5. Lock lid and switch to “Stew” or “Slow Cook” mode for 1-2 hours, until beef is very tender.

6. When finished, stir in cornstarch slurry and let thicken for 5 minutes.

7. Adjust seasonings to taste before serving. Enjoy!

Helpful Tips

• Cut all vegetables close to the same size for even cooking.

• Sprinkle beef with flour along with salt and pepper to help thicken stew.

• Add Worcestershire sauce for extra depth of flavor.

• Stir in frozen peas in the last 10 minutes.

• Garnish bowls with parsley or green onion for brightness.

• Let stew rest 10 minutes before serving so flavors meld.

• Add egg noodles or biscuit dumplings on top to make it a meal.

Variations

Customize your rice cooker beef stew:

• Use lamb, pork, chicken or plant-based meat

• Swap in parsnips, turnips, rutabaga for the potatoes

• Add mushrooms, pearl onions, leeks, pumpkin or squash

• Use red or white wine instead of broth for richness

• Stir in a spoonful of tomato paste for deeper flavor

• Top with shredded cheese like cheddar or gruyere

FAQs

What cut of beef works best?

Look for chuck, brisket or round cuts. Tougher cuts become tender during long cooking.

How much liquid is needed?

2 to 3 cups of broth is a good starting point. Add more as needed if stew gets too thick.

What settings should I use on the rice cooker?

Brown meat first using “Sauté” mode, then cook on “Stew” or “Slow Cook” for 1-2 hours.

Can I skip browning the meat first?

It’s recommended for the best flavor but you can skip it if you want to save time.

Should I thicken the stew?

Stir in cornstarch slurry at the end for rich, velvety thickness.

How long does it take?

Total cooking time is usually 1 1/2 to 2 hours, depending on cut of meat.

Can I convert any beef stew recipe?

Yes! Just add all the ingredients to the rice cooker inner pot and cook on stew or slow cook mode.

More One-Pot Meals

A rice cooker isn’t just for rice! Here are more easy, delicious meals you can make:

• Chicken and sausage jambalaya

• Lentil or split pea soup

• Chili with beans

• Oatmeal or breakfast porridge

• Maple cinnamon applesauce

• Meatballs and marinara sauce

• Poached salmon with vegetables

• Cheesy baked mac and cheese

• Overnight steel cut oats

• Apple cinnamon bread pudding

With just a few ingredients and a simple press of a button, you can come home to a hot, hearty home-cooked meal from your versatile rice cooker. Make this easy beef stew soon for a comforting meal the whole family will love.