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Pakistani Beef Curry (Stew) in a bowl on top of a plate with naan

Easy Instant Pot Pakistani Beef Curry

Print Recipe
This Instant Pot Pakistani Beef Curry, or stew, is an easy recipe in which boneless beef stew meat is cooked alongside yogurt and whole spices. Also called Istu, or Ishto, this is a deeply flavorful yet healthy, dump-and-go Instant Pot beef recipe.
Cuisine Pakistani
Diet Gluten Free, Halal
Keyword Instant Pot Pakistani Beef, Instant Pot Pakistani Beef Curry, Pakistani Beef Curry, Pakistani Beef Stew
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Sauté Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 442

Equipment

Ingredients

Marinade:

  • 1 lb beef stew meat cut into 1 to 2 inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp white vinegar

To Pressure Cook:

  • 1 large yellow onion chopped or sliced (1 large = 2 small onions)
  • ¼ cup neutral oil
  • 6 garlic cloves (leave whole)
  • 8 dried button red chili peppers if using regular dried chilies, use less
  • 2 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/4 tsp whole cloves
  • 1/4 tsp whole black peppercorns
  • 1- inch cinnamon stick
  • 2 whole green cardamom pods
  • 1-2 whole black cardamom pods
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 - 1 cup plain whole milk yogurt*

After Pressure Cooking:

  • 1- inch ginger crushed
  • 2 tbsp whole raw almonds
  • 1 tbsp cilantro finely chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  • To marinate: In a medium bowl, combine the beef and vinegar and add enough water to cover the meat. Set aside and allow the beef to tenderize.
  • Meanwhile, add all ingredients listed under ‘To Pressure Cook’ to the Instant Pot. Drain the beef, then rinse and add to the Instant Pot. Stir to mix. (No need to add water to the Instant Pot.)
  • Close and seal the lid, then select the Meat/Stew Pressure Cook setting, with a timer set for 45 minutes on High Pressure. When the timer is up, allow pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the almonds: Place the almonds in a small microwave-safe bowl and add enough water to submerge. Microwave the almonds for 1 minute, then drain the water and rinse in cold water. Peel the skin off the almond and discard.
  • Remove lid and Select High Sauté setting. Sauté until most of the moisture has dried up and the curry starts to thicken (~15 minutes). Gradually increase stirring as time goes on to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
  • Add the crushed ginger and peeled almonds and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the oil starts to separate from the curry. Taste and adjust salt. Cancel Sauté setting. Garnish with cilantro and serve with naan, roti, or other bread. Discard whole spices as you eat.

Video

Notes

*Note: The less yogurt you use, the less you'll have to sauté out the moisture in the end. However, it'll also result in less 'masala' and be more of a 'bhunna gosht' or sautéed meat. 
How to Double this recipe - Key Tip
You can easily double this recipe by doubling the ingredients and keeping the same pressure cook time. However, you'll have to take the meat out and reduce the curry before adding it in. If you don't, the beef will shred too much. (I like a little shredding, but too much will lead to an overly delicious pulled beef recipe.)

Nutrition

Calories: 442kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 852mg | Potassium: 968mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 963IU | Vitamin C: 134mg | Calcium: 207mg | Iron: 4mg