Instant Pot Deluxe Hamburger Stew Recipe in 30 Minutes

This savory recipe transforms a classic hamburger deluxe—cheese optional—into a rich, comforting stew. Easy to prepare and full of familiar flavors, this dish is a hit with both kids and adults. Serve it plain or finish with diced dill pickles, chopped red onion, or extra shredded cheese for a true Hamburger Deluxe Stew experience.

Adding olive oil to pot — Start by heating extra-virgin olive oil in the pot.

Sliced carrots and diced red onion — Add diced red onion and sliced carrots. Carrots add a subtle sweetness that works wonderfully in this stew.

Sautéing carrots and onion — Sauté the vegetables for a few minutes until softened.

Adding ground meat to pot — Add ground meat of your choice—beef, pork, veal, a combination, or a plant-based alternative like Beyond or Impossible.

Sautéing meat with veggies — Cook until the meat is browned and crumbled.

Adding Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke to pot — Season with Worcestershire sauce and a touch of liquid smoke for depth. Sauté briefly to let the flavors meld.

Adding broth to pot — Pour in broth to form the base of the stew.

Adding diced tomatoes to pot — Add canned diced tomatoes with their juices for body and acidity.

Adding ketchup to pot — A spoonful of ketchup adds familiar burger flavor that blends into the stew as it cooks.

Adding brown sugar to pot — A little brown sugar balances the acidity and enhances the overall taste.

Stirring pot — Stir everything well, secure the lid, and cook under high pressure if using a pressure cooker.

Adding tomato paste to pot — When cooking is complete, finish the stew by stirring in tomato paste for thickness and concentrated flavor.

Adding shredded cheese to pot — Fold in shredded cheddar if you want a cheesy finish. Omit to keep the dish dairy-free.

Adding diced pickles to pot — Optionally stir in diced dill pickles for an unmistakable burger touch.

Adding pickle juice to pot — A splash of pickle juice brightens the flavor and balances the sweet and savory notes.

Adding seasoned salt or Creole seasoning to pot — Finish with Creole or seasoned salt to add a final flavor boost.

Finished pot — The finished stew is thick, savory, and visually inviting.

Soup in bowl — Ladle into bowls and add extra pickles, red onion, or cheese as desired for the ultimate deluxe presentation.

Man showing stew — A hearty bowl that delivers classic burger flavors in stew form.

Man eating stew — Comforting and satisfying—perfect for family dinners.

Man looking very happy — Enjoy the simple pleasure of a bowl that tastes like your favorite burger.

Instant Pot Hamburger Deluxe Stew

Yield: 6

Instant Pot Hamburger Deluxe Stew

This lip-smacking recipe takes a hamburger deluxe (with or without cheese) and deconstructs it into a stupendous stew. It’s straightforward to make and packed with the flavors you love from a burger—tomato, cheddar, pickles, and savory beef—reimagined as a hearty stew.

Prep Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
10 minutes

Additional Time
6 minutes

Total Time
26 minutes

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 large (or 3 medium) carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch disks
1 red onion, diced (reserve some for topping if desired)
1 1/2 pounds ground beef (or a blend of beef, veal and pork; use plant-based meat for a vegetarian version)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons liquid smoke (optional)
2 1/2 cups beef or vegetable broth
2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juices
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons light or dark brown sugar
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, plus more for topping (optional)
1 cup diced dill pickles and 1/4 cup pickle juice (optional), plus extra for topping
1 tablespoon Cajun/Creole seasoning or seasoned salt

Instructions

Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot and select Sauté on the higher setting. After about 3 minutes, add the carrots and onion and sauté for 3 minutes. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up, until crumbled, about 3 more minutes.
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke, deglazing the pot and scraping up any browned bits. Let simmer for 30 seconds.
Add the broth, diced tomatoes, ketchup, and brown sugar. Stir well and scrape the bottom to ensure it’s clear. Secure the lid, move the valve to sealing, cancel Sauté, then pressure cook on High for 10 minutes. Perform a quick release when finished.
After pressure cooking, stir in the tomato paste, cheddar (if using), diced pickles with their juice (if using), and Creole or seasoned salt. Mix until fully combined. Serve in bowls and top with additional cheese, red onion, and pickles if desired.

Jeffrey’s Tips

Omit the cheese to keep the stew dairy-free. Use refrigerated Claussen-style pickles for easy dicing. To add potatoes, toss 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of baby potatoes (quartered) into the pot in Step 3 before pressure cooking. Serve with toasted brioche or your favorite hamburger bun for dipping.