Description
This Instant Pot Beef and Rice Plov is a cozy, one-pot comfort dish inspired by classic Uzbek flavors. Tender chunks of beef, fluffy rice, sweet carrots, and savory garlic come together in a beautifully seasoned blend—all cooked to perfection in your pressure cooker. A weeknight win with rich, slow-simmered taste in half the time!
Ingredients
1½ lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, fat trimmed
2 tablespoons oil
1½ cups short-grain rice, rinsed until water runs clear and drained
1 large onion, diced
2 medium carrots, cut into ½-inch sticks
½ cup tomato sauce, optional
1½ cups beef broth or water
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon beef seasoning, optional
2 teaspoons salt
1 bay leaf
1 whole head of garlic, halved horizontally
¼ cup chopped parsley
Instructions
Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add oil and diced onion, cooking until lightly golden, about 5 minutes.
Add the beef and carrots to the pot. Stir well to combine.
Season with black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, beef seasoning (if using), and salt.
Pour in tomato sauce and beef broth. Stir everything together and add the bay leaf.
Lock the lid in place and set the valve to Sealing. Cook on Manual and High pressure for 45 minutes.
Once finished, carefully turn the valve to Venting for a quick pressure release.
Remove and discard the bay leaf.
Sprinkle rinsed rice evenly over the top of the stew—do not stir. Press the halved garlic (cut-side down) into the rice.
Lock the lid again, seal the valve, and cook on Manual > High pressure for 15 minutes.
Let the pressure release naturally for 15–20 minutes.
Remove garlic halves. Optionally squeeze softened garlic cloves back into the rice.
Add chopped parsley and fluff gently with a fork before serving.
Notes
Short-grain rice works best for this dish, but medium-grain rice may be used as a substitute.
Tomato sauce adds richness, but you can omit it and replace with additional broth or water for a lighter version.
The whole garlic head imparts deep flavor—don’t skip it!
Leftovers reheat beautifully, making this dish great for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Eastern European / Central Asian