NEVER BUY STEW MEAT. It's usually round steak (gluteus) which gets tough when you cook it unless you use meat tenderizer. Buy center blade chuck steaks and cut it up into large chunks as they shrink. CostCo has them. Safeway probably not. And why would you buy from meat counter that stinks?

Don't just toss everything into the instant pot. It doesn't brown which creates flavor. Brown the meat in the pot, then add the spices for a minute to let the "bloom". Water is fine but a dry red wine is so so much better.

At the very least buy the right meat and brown it. That will make all the difference.

NEVER BUY STEW MEAT

100% agree with this because they always leave the poxy grizzly bits but…

It’s usually round steak (gluteus) which gets tough when you cook it

This I can’t get behind. Chunk of round, cut it yourself to remove the grizzle and leave it on a low and long simmer and it turns out great. Nice and lean and melts in your mouth. Nom nom nom.

Gristle, not grizzle. But it’s not your fault. The English language is an abomination.