From Dutch Pots to Instant Pots: A Generational Journey to Perfect Brown Stew Beef

Cooking is more than just putting food on the table. It’s about connection, tradition, and finding your own rhythm in the kitchen. For me, brown stew beef is the ultimate comfort dish—a rich, flavorful Jamaican classic that ties me to my roots while evolving to fit my modern life.

Growing up, Sundays were for stews and the chatter of the pressure cooker. But my most vivid memories come from my mother’s Dutch pot. She had a unique way of cooking brown stew beef, flipping the lid upside down and filling it with water while the stew simmered below. I never fully understood the science of it, but the results were undeniable: tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef in a sauce so flavorful it practically demanded a second helping.

And then there was my grandmother, whose saying about that Dutch pot has stayed with our family: “Hell on top, hell on the bottom, and hallelujah in the middle.” It’s her way of describing the magic of slow-cooked flavors, and my mother carried that wisdom forward into her own cooking.

The Instant Pot: A Modern Tool for a Traditional Dish

Today, my Instant Pot has taken the place of my mother’s Dutch pot and the pressure cooker that followed. It’s faster and more convenient, perfect for a busy mom with a toddler underfoot. But as I stand in my kitchen and hear its gentle hum, I can’t help but wonder: what would my mother and grandmother think of this device?

My grandmother was skeptical of anything that seemed too easy. She would’ve said, “Anything that seems too good to be true probably is.” My mother might have given it a wary side-eye, waiting to see if it could deliver the deep, rich flavors they achieved through patience and time.

But I like to think they would have both tasted this Instant Pot brown stew beef, paused for a moment, and then smiled. The tools might be different, but the care and intention behind the dish remain the same.

From Tradition to Table

This dish has always been about more than just food. It’s a connection to the women who came before me and their lessons—not just about cooking, but about life. My grandmother’s wisdom passed through my mother, who taught me how to cook with flavor, love, and intention.

And now, I’m passing it on to my daughter—although, at the moment, she’s more focused on stealing the plantains. By the end of dinner, she had run off with them like a tiny bandit, leaving me laughing at the sheer audacity.

Cooking is about these moments. The chaos, the joy, the small victories, and the traditions we carry forward. This brown stew beef is my way of honoring those traditions while adapting them to fit my life. Whether you’re a busy mom or just someone looking for a hearty, flavorful meal, I hope this recipe becomes a staple in your kitchen, too.

Instant Pot Jamaican Brown Stew Beef

Recipe by Camille

Course: Dinner, MainCuisine: Jamaican, Caribbean

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Total time

55

minutes

This Instant Pot Brown Stew Beef is a modern take on a traditional Jamaican favorite. Packed with bold flavors and tender beef, it pays homage to the slow-cooked stews passed down from my grandmother and mother. With rich seasonings, a hint of sweetness from ketchup, and vibrant bell peppers, this one-pot dish brings comforting, nostalgic flavors to your table in half the time. Perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you crave a taste of home!

Ingredients

• •t1 lb stew beef (cleaned with vinegar and water, then dried)

• •t1 Tbsp oil (vegetable or coconut)

• •t1 medium onion, sliced

• •t2 garlic cloves, minced

• •t1 tsp scotch bonnet pepper powder (optional)

• •t1 medium tomato, diced

• •t1 bell pepper, diced

• •t1-2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)

• •t2 cups beef broth (or water + beef bouillon)

• •t2 tsp smoked paprika

• •t½ tsp ground allspice

• •t1 tsp garlic powder

• •t1 tsp onion powder

• •t½ tsp ground cumin

• •t½ tsp ground turmeric

• •t½ tsp chili powder (optional)

• •tSalt and black pepper, to taste

• •t2 Tbsp soy sauce

• •t2 Tbsp ketchup

• •t1 Tbsp browning sauce (optional, but recommended)

Directions

• Prepare the Beef: After cleaning the beef with vinegar and water, pat it dry thoroughly. Season it with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Sear the Beef (Sauté Mode): Turn the Instant Pot to “Saute” mode and add the oil. Sear the beef in batches until browned, then set it aside.
• In the same pot, sauté the onions, garlic, and scotch bonnet powder until fragrant. Add the diced tomato, bell pepper, soy sauce, ketchup, and browning sauce. Stir in the smoked paprika, allspice, cumin, turmeric, and chili powder. Let the mixture cook for 2-3 minutes to deepen the flavors.
• Return the beef to the pot and add the thyme and beef broth. Cancel “Saute” mode, seal the lid, and set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (Manual) on High for 30 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure.
• Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If the sauce is too thin, turn the Instant Pot back to “Saute” mode and simmer until it reduces. You can also add a cornstarch slurry (1 Tbsp cornstarch + 2 Tbsp cold water) for a thicker sauce.
• Serve the stew over white rice, and pair it with fried plantains and your favorite veggie. Spoon the rich sauce generously over everything for maximum flavor.