This quick and easy Instant Pot Pork Stew recipe uses pantry and freezer ingredients to make a quick and hearty weeknight supper. Your pressure cooker will make quick work of this easy pork stew!

Why You'll Love This Perfect Pork Stew

I could gladly eat soups and stews every day of the week. When I'm low-carbing, soups are just an easy way to eat a warm dinner without a lot of prep. Soups also allow me to fill up without going over on carbs and they help me not feel deprived of all things delicious, and this delightful Pork Stew is no exception.

This stew recipe is filled to the brim with deliciously tender pork stew meat that's been infused with yummy cajun seasoning. Along with the onions, Rotel and spinach, this is one quick and easy dinner recipe you're definitely going to want seconds of.

Not only is this pork stew meat recipe super tasty, but it's quick, easy and low carb as well! Thanks to the Instant Pot you can make this dish with minimal effort while infusing the pork with so much flavor. And since it's keto-friendly, you can enjoy this delightful stew recipe with no remorse. Now let's get to cooking...

Is Pork A Good Protein Choice For Stew?

Pork is an excellent protein choice for stew. It holds flavor well and doesn't turn to mush when cooked at high pressure (or for a long time in the slow cooker). If you want an excellent stew for the slow cooker, you need to try my Green Chile Pork Crockpot Stew.

If you like things to be quick in your pressure cooker, you should try my Pressure Cooker Pork Posole. Like this spicy Pork Stew, these recipes also have some kick! If you don't like them spicy, you can always go easy on the chiles added to make the flavor a little milder.

What Cut Of Pork Is Best For Stew?

So when I made this stew, I wasn't sure what I thought about it, because it's quite different from some of the other things I've made. I posted it in my Facebook group and asked for testers. We all concluded that pork stews do best with a fattier rather than leaner cut of meat.

I tried this with stew meat--it was fine but the texture of the meat was okay, not great. Then I tried it with a fattier cut of pork shoulder--much better. So even if you don't eat pork and use beef or chicken, I'd suggest a well-marbled piece of meat or one with some collagen in it to make this Pork Stew recipe.

How Do You Make Pork Stew Meat Tender?

The easiest way to make any meat tender is by cooking it properly. The easiest way I've found to make the meat in this pork stew recipe tender is by using my Instant Pot. Pressure cooking makes the meat fall-apart tender and infuses it with incredible flavor.Pork Stew Tips And Tricks

Prefer beef over pork? Follow this recipe but substitute beef stew meat for the pork.
To make this with chicken, reduce cooking time to 10 minutes for thighs and 12-14 minutes for chicken breasts depending on thickness. Cut up the chicken after cooking.
For best results, use a well-marbled piece of meat and not a lean cut.
To reduce the spiciness, lessen the amount of chilis you use.

Ingredients You'll Need

1 large Onion- The onion provides the aromatic base for the stew. As it cooks down under pressure, it melts into the broth, adding natural sweetness, body, and depth of flavor to the dish.
4 cloves Garlic- Garlic adds bold, savory aroma and enhances the overall flavor. It complements the Cajun spices and gives the stew a satisfying umami backbone.
10 ounces Rotel- Rotel brings acidity, moisture, and a mild spicy kick to the stew. The tomatoes help tenderize the pork while the green chilies add depth and a subtle Southwestern heat.
1 teaspoon Dried Thyme- Thyme adds earthy, herbal notes that balance the richness of the pork and the cream added later.
2 teaspoons Cajun Seasoning This seasoning blend adds bold, zesty flavor. It brings heat, smokiness, and complexity to the stew, helping season the pork thoroughly.
1 pound Pork Butt- The pork butt is the hearty protein base of the stew. Its marbling makes it perfect for pressure cooking, as the fat melts and keeps the meat tender and juicy.
1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream- The cream adds richness and transforms the broth into a velvety, slightly creamy sauce.
4–6 cups Baby Spinach- Spinach adds freshness, color, and nutrients.

How To Make Pork Stew

Blend. Blend together onion, garlic, and Ro-tel. If you don't have Ro-tel, use a 14 oz can of tomatoes and a 5 oz can of green chilis (poblano-style)
Add mixture to pot. Pour into the Instant Pot, add the Tony Chachere or other Cajun Seasoning mix.
Add meat. Add in the pork/beef cubes and stir well.
Cook. Close the pot and seal. Cook on MEAT setting for 20 minutes. Allow it to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes and then release all remaining pressure.
Sauté. Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté. When the stew begins to boil, add the cream and stir well.
Serve. Then add the spinach leaves, cook until wilted and serve.

Tips And Tricks

Instant Pot Pork Stew is rich, hearty, and full of bold flavor, and with just a few simple techniques, you can make it even more tender, creamy, and delicious every time.

Use well-marbled pork. Pork butt is ideal because it stays juicy and tender under pressure. Lean cuts may dry out.
Don’t skip the Rotel. The tomatoes help tenderize the pork, and the chilies add subtle heat and brightness to the broth.
Add cream after pressure cooking. Stir in the heavy whipping cream at the end so it doesn’t curdle under high pressure.

Variations

Instant Pot Pork Stew is wonderfully versatile, and with just a few easy swaps, you can change up the flavor profile, make it creamier, spicier, or turn it into a completely different style of stew.

Tuscan-Style Pork Stew- Replace Rotel with crushed tomatoes, add Italian seasoning, and finish with kale instead of spinach for a rustic Italian twist.
Mexican-Inspired Pork Stew- Swap the Cajun seasoning for taco seasoning, use fire-roasted tomatoes instead of Rotel, and add a can of black beans or corn.
Pork and Sausage Stew- Add sliced smoked sausage or andouille for a deeper, smokier flavor and a more filling Cajun-style dish.
Beef Variation- Swap pork butt for beef stew meat and keep the rest of the recipe the same for a beefy, bold alternative.

What To Eat With Pork Stew

When you’re serving a warm and comforting pork stew, pairing it with the right sides can elevate the entire meal and create a perfectly balanced plate. Here are some delicious options to enjoy alongside it:

Crusty Bread or Dinner Rolls- Perfect for soaking up the rich, flavorful broth.
Mashed Potatoes- A creamy, hearty base that complements the tender pork.
Rice or Cauliflower Rice- Adds bulk and absorbs all those savory juices.
Roasted Vegetables- Adds texture and caramelized flavor to the meal.

How Long Does It Last?

Instant Pot pork stew stays fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. The flavors often deepen as it chills, making the leftovers even more delicious the next day.

Can You Freeze It?

If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months, but in the fridge, plan to enjoy it within a few days for the best taste and texture.

More Quick Recipes

Indian Pulled Pork Tacos - this is a refreshing spin on traditional pulled pork and you're gonna love it!
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole - This is such an easy way to make this dish!
Instant Pot Pork Chops and Vegetables - These are SO good and everything cooks at the same time in the Instant Pot!
Creamy Chicken Soup - Super easy, delicious and highly customizable.
Indian Frankie Recipe - A savory, spicy "Indian Burrito".
How To Make Juicy Pork Chops - The ultimate guide to deliciously juicy pork chops.
Thai Cashew Chicken - Nutty, full of veggies, and so easy.
Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin - Fast, tender, and savory.

So whether you're low-carbing or you're just looking for a delicious yet simply stew recipe, you're going to absolutely love this Instant Pot Pork Stew recipe. Make sure to share this recipe with your friends on Pinterest and Facebook so they can enjoy it too!