I adapted my favorite beef stew recipe to make it Whole30 compliant and made it cook much faster by using my Instant Pot. It cooks in 20 minutes + 15 minutes natural pressure release compared to 2 3/4 hours cooking time on the stove.
I adapted my favorite beef stew recipe to make it Whole30 compliant and made it cook much faster by using my Instant Pot. It cooks in 20 minutes + 15 minutes natural pressure release compared to 2 3/4 hours cooking time on the stove.
Turn Instant Pot to saute function. When it is hot, add oil. Cook the meat in batches so it is not too crowded. Season with salt and pepper as it cooks. (If you prefer, you can brown the meat in a large skillet on the stove instead.)
Add all ingredients, except the starch, to your 8 quart Instant Pot.
Place lid on pot and set to sealing. Put on manual/pressure cook setting for 20 minutes.
When time is up, let pressure release naturally for 15 minutes.
Quick release any remaining pressure and remove lid. Set IP to saute function. Combine the starch with a little water in a small bowl or measuring cup and whisk to combine. Add slowly to stew while stirring, to thicken.
I have been trying to find a decent ketchup and BBQ sauce recipe for Whole30 and have not been happy with what I have found so far. I tried this recipe, which was originally supposed to be a Paleo BBQ sauce recipe, but it tasted like ketchup to me. So I have changed the recipe some to make it tastier and compatible with Whole30 and I like it better by far than the other recipes I have tried. Even better is it is super quick and easy!
This originally came from 40aprons.com. The only change I made to the ingredients was to add a little extra salt.
The only ground pork I could find in the grocery stores near me was so lean that it didn’t make good sausage, so we decided to grind our own from pork shoulder. It was a much better consistency!
Blend with an immersion blender in a wide mouth mason jar all ingredients, except herbs for approximately one minute. Start with the immersion blender at the bottom of your jar working your way up to the top. Don't start moving your blender upwards until you see it thickening up.
Incorporate the herbs during the last 15 seconds or it will turn your ranch green. Store in the fridge for up to one week.
Recipe Notes
A large handful of fresh herbs of your choice can be used in place of dried parsley. Our favorites are cilantro, parsley and dill.
If your ranch is too thin:
Make sure you are using full fat canned coconut milk. If you want a dip like consistency use only the solid cream, but for a dressing, use the cream and the liquid. It may also thicken up just being in the fridge for a few hours.
Make sure you're using an immersion blender for guaranteed success.
Use a small container, like a mason jar or salad dressing container.
HERE IS THE TRICK TO SAVING YOUR DUMP RANCH... If your ranch never thickens it probably didn't emulsify properly. Just add another egg! Yep, that's all it takes to quickly save all those ingredients.
Put chicken pieces directly into the water inside the Instant Pot. Add cilantro and lime juice.
Combine seasoning ingredients and add to chicken.
Close and seal lid. Cook on high pressure for 15-20 minutes.
Let pressure naturally release for 10 minutes after cooking is done.
Open lid and remove chicken breasts. Shred and add to tortillas, salads, rice, nachos or whatever you want, with your favorite toppings. For Whole30, this makes a great salad!
Recipe Notes
I used chicken breasts. 3 of them weighed 2 lbs. 20 minutes seemed about right for that size of breasts, but it was a little on the dry side.
I tried many ways of making eggs the way I like them in the Instant Pot before I discovered this method. I like them with a runny yolk, but a completely cooked white. This works!
Use just a little butter to grease 2 silicone cups. (You can make more than this if you would like. The time will remain the same.)
Put 1 cup of water in the bottom of your Instant Pot, then put a rack in the pot. Place the silicone cups on top of the rack.
Crack 1 egg in each of the silicone cups. Salt & pepper if desired.
Put on lid, seal and set valve to "sealing". Set time for 2 minutes high pressure by pressing the Manual button, the Pressure Cook button or the Egg button and adjusting the time using the + and - buttons.
When the 2 minutes is up, leave the lid on and let it naturally release pressure for 2 minutes. This works perfect in my 3 quart IP every time! But my 8 quart IP requires 2 1/2 minutes NPR time.
Manually release remaining pressure and remove lid. Use tongs to remove silicone cups from pot and place carefully onto plate.
The eggs should slide right out of the silicone cup onto your plate. Some brands of silicone cups require you to loosen the egg a bit with a spoon.
Put inner pot into Instant Pot. Pour water into insert. Add steamer rack.
Add eggs directly to steamer rack or put into a steamer basket. Put lid on and set to Sealing mode. Press Egg button or set manually for 4 minutes. This will made medium boiled eggs. If you would like them more or less well done, add or subtract 1 minute and continue.
When timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 4 minutes. Then release any remaining pressure manually. After that, put eggs in an ice water bath for 4 minutes.
I love making this recipe, but used to make a 4-5 lb. pork shoulder roast or pork butt in the crock pot. It would take at least 6 hours of cooking time, so I seldom made it, except for parties. Now I use country style ribs or cut smaller chunks of pork shoulder roast or pork butt and I make it in my new Instant Pot, so I can make it much more often!
Instant Pot Carnitas
Print Recipe
Delicious Mexican shredded pork recipe. This is not spicy, but just has a wonderful flavor!
Add all ingredients to pot. Set to Pressure Cook for 30 minutes. Release pressure naturally for 15 minutes.
Release any remaining pressure manually. Remove meat from pot and shred with 2 forks.
Serve on a tortilla with toppings of your choice, such as cheese, lettuce, cilantro, sour cream, avocado, etc., or serve on top of a salad.
I was not successful at deboning my butt roast, so I had a chunk of meat with the bone that weighed about 2 1/2 lbs. and was still partially frozen. It took about 1 hour to cook this way, but it was absolutely fantastic!
Did you know that you can buy large bags of peeled, ready to use garlic from Sam’s and store the garlic in the freezer? Then just remove whatever your recipe calls for and use it like you would fresh garlic, except without the hassle of peeling it! This recipe is a wonderful way to use those bags of garlic. I roast a pound or so at a time, then mash them and store them in a jar in the refrigerator. Then, when I get ready to make something with garlic, I just take a spoonful out and add it to whatever I am making. It is so easy and very convenient!!!
This beef stew is thick with a deliciously flavored broth and lots of meat and veggies. If you plan ahead, it can be cooked in the crockpot after the meat and veggies are browned in pan. If you need to avoid gluten, wheat or soy, substitute a flour that is safe for you and make sure to use Better Than Bouillon organic beef base.
Put flour, salt & pepper in large Ziploc bag. Heat oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven. Place meat in bag with the flour mixture and shake until well coated.
Shake off meat pieces and add them to the oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly browned.
Add onion to the remaining flour in the bag. Add onion, carrot and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, to slightly cook the vegetables, about 5 minutes. Add parsley, thyme, water and Better than Bouillon organic beef base.
Cover and cook over low heat for 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes or so.
Add diced potatoes, carrots and onions. Cook for another 45 minutes or until potatoes and carrots are tender.
