There’s no other comfort food quite like beef stew. With tender beef, a rich, savory broth, and plenty of hearty vegetables, this is one of those classic dishes that just leaves you feeling… well, comforted. Make this Paleo and Whole30 Dutch Oven Beef Stew on a cold winter’s night or anytime at all! Good food knows no season.
Why We Love It
This Dutch Oven Beef Stew recipe is 100% Whole30 and Paleo, hurray!
To make it Paleo and Whole30 compliant, I had to make a few minor adjustments to the traditional recipe: Use compliant oil, omit flour as a thickening agent, and use a compliant stock.
👉 *Whole30 Rules Update 3/2020: Peas are now Whole30 compatible! Feel free to add peas to your beef stew if you’d like! Wait until the last 10 minutes of cooking to stir in frozen peas, that way you avoid overcooking.
What we end up with is a hearty and unbelievably flavorful beef stew that mirrors all the important aspects of the traditional dish…. that just happens to also be Whole30.
I don’t know about you, but there are just some days that I need a hearty stew for dinner. When it’s chilly and I’m in need of some comfort food, stew is what I go for!
I love to using my trusty dutch oven, and it all comes together, cooked tender perfection, in about 90 minutes total.
You may also like: Dutch Oven Roasted Chicken, Garlic Butter Steak Bites, Irish Lamb Stew.
Recipe Ingredients
The ingredients in this beef stew recipe aren’t super complicated. You probably already have most of them in your pantry!
Ingredients Notes:
- Beef: I use Stew Meat or you can take a Chuck Roast and cut it into 1 inch cubes.
- Beef Stock: Use homemade, or check out my complete list of Whole30 and Paleo Stocks & Bone Broths.
- Potatoes: I use Russet potatoes, because I literally always have Russels potatoes in my house. Feel free to substitute Red potatoes or Yukon Gold.
- Red Wine Vinegar: The little bit of acid in the vinegar really helps to balance the richness of the beef.
- Coconut Aminos: This is a Whole30 compatible substitution for Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce. Basically it adds a bit of condensed savory and salty flavor.
- Oil: Choose a compatible oil like olive or avocado, for browning the beef!
- Diced Canned Tomatoes
- More Produce: Carrots, Garlic, Onion, Celery, Green Peas
- Seasonings: Salt, Pepper, and Thyme
Step by Step Instructions
One thing I really like about this recipe is that it’s very straight forward, and everything is done in the dutch oven (it reminds me of my Dutch Oven German Pork Chop recipe).
Step 1: First, prep all the vegetables. Chop the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic.
Step 2: Pat the beef dry and season it lightly with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in the dutch oven, and add it in (in batches, if your dutch oven isn’t large enough to fit all of it with room between each piece) to brown it. Brown the beef on all sides, then set it aside on a plate.
Step 3: In the same dutch oven, add the remaining oil, and sauté the the vegetables until softened slightly, about 4 minutes.
Step 4: Add in the beef, broth, tomatoes, potatoes, and seasonings. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Simmer together for about 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally.
This is a great time to grab a seltzer or make yourself a mocktail… or if you’re like me, scroll Instagram!
Uncover and simmer for a little longer, until the beef is super tender, the broth has reduced and thickened a bit, and the potatoes are cooked through.
Then just season to taste, serve, and enjoy!
Recipe FAQ
Brown the beef separately in a deep stock pot, then deglaze the bottom of the pot by adding the stock and stirring, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon.
Transfer the beef and broth to the slow cooker, and add in the seasonings and tomatoes.
Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4, adding the vegetables in the last hour (waiting to add the veggies ensures they don’t turn into overcooked mush).
Season & enjoy!
I always choose chuck roast for beef stew. When cooked slowly over low heat, the beef becomes super tender and melt-in-your-mouth fantastic! Stew Meat also works great, but I always double check with the butcher or read the packaging to find out exactly what cut they’re giving me.
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, per USDA.
If the beef is not fork tender at the end of cooking, cover the stew and simmer. Test it every 10-15 minutes until the beef is tender.
More Healthy Comfort Food Recipes
- Orange Sesame Chicken & Broccoli
- Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
- BBQ Chicken & Ranch Sliders
- Swedish Meatballs
- Classic Pot Roast
I’d love to hear about your experience making this recipe!
Please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @cookathomemom.
Dutch Oven Beef Stew
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chuck roast, cut into 1 inch cubes or stew meat
- 3-4 medium russet potatoes
- 3-4 medium carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 4 cups beef stock
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 Tablespoon oil
- 2 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1.5 Tablespoon coconut aminos
- 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley optional
Instructions
Prep the Vegetables
- Mince the garlic and dice the onions. Chop the celery and carrots into bite size pieces. Peel and dice the potatoes (I set the potatoes in a large bowl of cold water to keep them from browning, but that step is totally optional).
Brown the Beef
- Pat the beef cubes dry, then sprinkle with arrowroot powderseason and season lightly with salt and pepper. Toss the beef to coat.
- Heat the oil in the dutch oven, and add it in (in batches, if your dutch oven isn't large enough to fit all of it with room between each piece). Brown the beef on all sides, then set it aside on a plate.
- In the same dutch oven, add the remaining oil, and sautée the the carrots, garlic, onion, and celery until softened slightly, about 4 minutes.
Simmer Together
- Add in the beef, broth, tomatoes, potatoes and seasonings. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer and cover. Allow to cook together on low, stirring occasionally, for about 40-50 minutes.
- Uncover and allow the stew to continue simmering for another 10 minutes or so, until the stew is thickened, the potatoes are cooked through, and the beef is tender.If the beef isn't quite fork tender, cover and continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes at a time. Serve in bowls with a sprinkle of parsley, and enjoy!
Notes
Season & enjoy! Store leftovers: Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container or bag and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, per USDA. Reheat leftovers in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring, just until simmering, OR in individual bowls in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Chelsea says
It’s not clear to me what the 1.5 tbsp of coconut aminos are for. I’ve never used it so I don’t know what it’s purpose is.
Cook at Home Mom says
Hi Chelsea! The coconut aminos are Whole30 compliant way to add a bit of saltiness to the broth. If you aren’t following a Paleo or Whole30 diet, you can use a bit of Worcestershire sauce. Let me know if you have any follow up questions! -Laura