Keto Beef Stew

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5 from 70 votes
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This keto beef stew is the ultimate hearty and comfort food that is full of flavor but with zero carbs! This version substitutes potatoes with jicama but you’d never tell!

low carb beef stew

When it comes to cozy and comforting keto dinners, my favorite recipes to make are chicken soup, taco casserole, and this keto beef stew.

Whenever the weather cools down and the sun sets earlier, my body craves all the comfort foods (like my favorite meatloaf) and thinks it is going into hibernation.

A beef stew is the epitome of healthy comfort food.

Now, a traditional beef stew would typically use plenty of potatoes but as they aren’t keto friendly, we use a fabulous substitute- Jicama! I’ve used this vegetable to make jicama fries and loved how much they reminded me of potatoes.

Why this keto beef stew recipe will have you mesmerized-

  • Simple ingredients. No hard to find cuts of beef or obscure herbs and spices- just easy and affordable ingredients!
  • One pot dish. Whether you cook this in a Dutch oven (like my Dutch oven beef stew), slow cooker, or instant pot, there is just one dish that makes a mess.
  • Healthy and nutritious. It’s full of fresh vegetables and has no added fats or sugar.
  • Customizable. Don’t have carrots or jicama on hand? Rutabagas and sweets are other low carb root vegetables that also can be used!

What I love about this keto stew is how delicious it continues to taste even a week after you cook it. Leftovers taste incredible and you can freeze batches for an easy weeknight dinner or when you can’t be bothered making something from scratch.

How do you make keto beef stew?

The Ingredients

  • Beef chuck roast– Often referred to as stewing beef, this is the best cut of beef to use for stews or soups. Slice your beef into thicker chunks instead of bite-sized pieces, so that it will keep better flavor.
  • Salt and pepper– To coat the beef in before adding it to the stew.
  • Coconut flour or almond flour– Either almond or coconut flour is used to lightly dust the beef to brown the beef better and also enhance the flavor of the sauce.
  • Olive oil– While any oil works, the olive variety is the most flavorful and the best to use in stews.
  • Stewing vegetables– Onion, garlic, carrots, and jicama.
  • Beef broth– Choose one with no added sugar or salt.
  • Tomato paste– Just a small amount to give a flavor hit.
  • Worcestershire sauce– A must for any recipe using beef.
  • Bay leaf– Adds an extra layer of flavor and fabulous aroma.

The Instructions

Start by preparing the beef. Season the beef with salt and pepper, then dust it in almond or coconut flour. Next, heat the oil in a large dutch oven or pot and place it over medium heat. Once hot, brown the beef on all sides, then remove it from the pot and set it aside. Add the onions, garlic, and carrots and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the onion starts to soften. Add the jicama, beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring everything to a simmer before adding the beef back in, along with the bay leaf.

Now, take the dutch oven/pot off the heat, add the bay leaf, and cover it. Transfer it to a preheated oven and let everything cook for two hours. Remove the bay leaf and serve immediately.

How to make keto beef stew

Slow cooker and instant pot instructions

Easily make this dish in the slow cooker or instant pot, if you own either of them.

  • Slow cooker beef stew– Season the beef and cook it in a non-stick pan until it has browned. Place it into a slow cooker, followed by the remaining ingredients. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
  • Instant pot beef stew– Season the beef, then add the oil into the instant pot. Using the saute function, cook the meat until it has browned on all sides. Add the remaining ingredients, close the lid, and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Let the stew sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips to make the best recipe

  • Remove visible chunks of fat from the beef, as it can make the stew gritty and the beef chewy.
  • Be sure to use a good quality beef broth to ensure it enhances the beef flavor, not detract from it. If in doubt, you can always use vegetable stock.
  • If you don’t own a Dutch oven, you can use a deep oven-proof skillet instead.

Storing, freezing, and reheating instructions

  • To store: Leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to one week.
  • To freeze: Place the cooled stew in a freezer friendly container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
  • Reheating: Microwave them for 30-40 second spurts or reheat in a small saucepan.
Keto beef stew

What to serve with keto stew

Like any wonderful stew, the best things to serve with it are toasted bread or rolls to dip. Here are some fabulous keto bread options to try.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for potatoes in stews?

The best low carb substitutes for potatoes are jicama, rutabaga, or swedes. These have the same starchy texture but much less net carbs.

Can I eat carrots on keto?

Carrots are suitable on a keto diet provided they are eaten in moderation. This recipe uses just one large carrot which has 7 grams net carbs.

What can I add to beef stew for flavor?

Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves are two vital ingredients when enhancing the flavor. Soy sauce or tamari are also good options.

Keto Beef Stew

5 from 70 votes
This keto beef stew is the ultimate hearty and comfort food that is full of flavor but with zero carbs! This version substitutes potatoes with jicama but you'd never tell!
Servings: 6 servings
Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 47 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

  • 2 lbs beef chuck roast cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons coconut flour or almond flour
  • 1/2 large onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 large carrot chopped into large chunks
  • 2 medium jicama diced into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 bay leaf

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 170C/325F.
  • In a small bowl, add the beef chunks, salt, and pepper, and mix well. Add the coconut flour and gently toss it together.
  • Add the oil to a large Dutch oven or a deep skillet and place it over medium heat. Add the seasoned beef and cook for 3-4 minutes, until no longer brown. Remove the beef and set it aside.
  • Add the garlic, onion, carrots, and jicama and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the onion and garlic are fragrant. Add the remaining ingredients, except the beef, and bring to a boil. Once it begins to boil, add the beef and let it simmer for several minutes.
  • Remover the Dutch oven off the heat and cover it. Place it in the oven for 1 1/2-2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
  • Remove the bay leaf and serve immediately.

Notes

TO STORE: Leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to one week.
TO FREEZE: Place the cooled stew in a freezer friendly container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
TO REHEAT: Microwave them for 30-40 second spurts or reheat in a small saucepan.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 293kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 30gFat: 18gSodium: 845mgPotassium: 635mgFiber: 3gVitamin A: 2029IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 4mgNET CARBS: 3g
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

  1. ANY chance there is to celebrate any day and I’m all over it 🙂 this stew looks absolutely amazing – great pictures!! What a delicious hearty looking stew and thanks to your mom for the inspiration!!

  2. Haha stew at a club. That’s super random and I love it. I haven’t been to a club in years. Sadly, I think I’m past the stage in my life of thinking that sounds fun. This stew, however, looks like a lot of fun.

  3. I don’t see green beans listed on the ingredient list. Did I miss something? I love stew! How much Green Beans did you add? Thanks….and sorry if I missed it.

      1. thanks! And you still add some mushrooms? It’s not in the directions. Sorry, I just want it to turn out perfectly!

      2. Sorry Beth! I’m so silly with forgetting recipes! yes! either mushrooms or beans or both! 🙂

  4. How delightful that you used coconut flour as a thickener here. You genius, you!! Thanks for thinking of your herby friends and giving us your permish to add all the legumies 😉

  5. My grandmother had those very same bowls!! Man, they bring back memories.

    I love a good stew. My mom used to make a beef stew all the time growing up, and I always ate my way around the meat. Ha, even back then.

  6. Remind me again why I don’t have a slow cooker? Because you can’t make desserts in them. Or wait, you can. Fails. I’ve been meaning to do it for yeas and years now, and one day I WILL get one. Maybe this fall. Or next fall. We’ll see.

    1. OMG I only found that out recently when I saw a slow cooker BROWNIE recipe. WTF.

      Let’s go slow cooker shopping together

  7. This is almost identical to how I make beef stew. It is so easy and the leftovers are the best!

  8. A bar in my university town served stew on St. Patrick’s Day too. I opted out and had post-bar falafels and hummus with pita instead. The stew was left on a table somewhere and I didn’t trust that no one had puked in it lol.

    I do love beef stew though – this one looks similar to mine except I add potatoes to mine too!

    1. Oh man, you’ve got me craving falafels now…Although I loved the ones where you got shawarma meat WITH chips in it.

      I totally omitted the potatoes to call it paleo. :p

  9. Hahah I like your parties 🙂 “They remixed ‘K Pop’ into David Guetta and served prawn cracker cocktails.” — LOL i would go to there, tequila and all 🙂 This stew looks amazing, and now that I’ve been staring at the photos for the last 5 mins, it’s exactly what I’m wanting for dinner

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