A great homemade beef stew recipe is a handy one to have. Hearty, healthy and loaded with flavour this is one beef casserole the whole family will love!
Homemade Healthy Beef Stew in a black bowl on top of a grey napkin with parsley on top of the beef.

Watch Me Make It

This low carb keto recipe has been recently updated. Originally published in June 2018 under the name Buttery Beef Casserole. Originally a keto beef stew and dumplings, I have tried to make the recipe simpler and tastier with this update.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

My easy Homemade (and healthy) low carb stew recipe is a family favourite one-pot meal. With just 15 minutes of preparation time let your slow cooker, pressure cooker, or thermal cooker do all the heavy lifting for you!

Low in carbs – this slow cooker beef stew recipe uses no flour, grains or potato, so it is naturally low in carbs and perfect for the ketogenic diet.

Multiple Cooking Methods – I have included how to cook a stovetop beef stew, thermal cookers (beef stew in your Thermomix®), multicookers (Ninja Foodi Beef stew or Instant Pot Beef Stew), and slow cookers e.g. Crockpot Beef Stew.

Related Multicooker RecipesItalian Keto Meatloaf Recipe / Easy Keto Butter Chicken Recipe

Beef Stew vs Beef Casserole

What is the difference between a beef stew and a beef casserole?

Pretty much nothing. Some would say a casserole is cooked in an oven and a stew on the stovetop. But, with the rise of kitchen appliances like Crockpot, Instant Pot, Ninja Foodie, Thermomix®, Magimix®, plus more, a casserole or stew can be made with many appliances and various heating methods.

Related Keto Beef RecipesBirria Tacos with Consommé / Sous Vide Wagyu Steak

The Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom of this post for the quantity of each ingredient used in our ketogenic beef stew.

All the ingredients laid out for a Keto Beef Stew on a blue back drop.

Chuck Steak – I use chuck steak (beef chuck roast) for stewing. You can use blade steak, gravy beef, lamb neck chops or any of your preferred “stewing” meats. The quality and age of the cow before slaughter can affect the properties of the meat. More time may be required than the recipe states. If your beef is not tender after the suggested cooking then extend the time until it is. 

Bacon and Chorizo – I add these both for extra flavour. You can leave out if you prefer or even increase the amounts.

Beef Stock – I use Urban Forager beef stock paste with my recipes. You can use any beef bone broth or homemade beef stock that you prefer. You can add red wine as well if you prefer. If adding wine, I would replace half the beef broth with a red wine that you love.

Butter – Butter helps to add a silkiness to the sauce. I just use salted butter.

Vegetables – use any vegetables you prefer, add less, more, or none for a carnivore beef stew. It is up to you. My measures and vegetables used were just what I had on hand in my crisper. Other great choices for keto stew vegetables would include turnips, celery root, kohlrabi, and leek.

Seasoning –

How To Make Beef Stew in an Instant Pot

We have included a few methods to make this healthy low carb beef stew recipe. Scroll to the recipe card below to see if your preferred method is included.

The below images are to show you how the stew should look at each stage using an Instant Pot, crock pot, or multicooker.

Step 1. Season the beef with paprika, salt, and pepper. Set to Sauté and add the oil and butter. When the butter has melted add the beef, onion, garlic, bacon, and chorizo and brown, stirring occasionally.

Step 2. Scrape the bottom of the bowl for any burned-on spices and add the remaining ingredients, except the thickener. Lock the lid and steam valve in place. Set to Pressure Cook/High/35 minutes. Leave to natural release for 10 minutes then quick release.

A keto beef casserol being stirred with a spatula in a stainless steel bowl.

Step 3. Turn the heat up in the slow cooker or pour the sauce into a saucepan. whisk through the thickener and simmer over high heat until thickened to your liking. It should be noted that the sauce will thicken with resting without any added thickeners.

How To Make Beef Stew on the Stovetop, Crockpot or Slow Cooker

Step 1. Season the beef with paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the beef, onion, garlic, bacon, and chorizo (in batches if the pan is not big enough) until browned on all sides. Pour into the slow cooker. (See notes). If cooking on the stovetop, brown the beef in a large Dutch oven and add the remaining ingredients to the pot after browning the beef.

Step 2. Add the remainder of the ingredients, except the thickener. Slow cook for 6-7 hours until beef is super tender. Extend time if the beef is not soft and tender. For stovetop, cover the pot with a lid, turn the heat down to low and stir every hour until beef is soft.

Step 3. Turn the heat up in the slow cooker or pour the sauce into a saucepan. Whisk through the thickener and simmer over high heat until thickened to your liking.

MEG’S TIPIt should be noted that the sauce will thicken with resting without any added thickeners.

Keto Cookbooks & Ebooks

How to Make Beef Casserole in the Thermomix®

Step 1. Season the beef with paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the beef, onion, garlic, bacon, and chorizo (in batches if the pan is not big enough) until browned on all sides. Pour into the slow cooker. (See notes). If cooking on the stovetop, brown the beef in a large cast iron pot and add the remaining ingredients to the pot after browning the beef.

Step 2. Add the remainder of the ingredients, except the thickener. Slow cook 4 hrs/98°C/reverse/stir. Extend cooking as needed.

Step 3. To thicken the stew, pour the broth into a saucepan and add the thickener. Whisk to combine and simmer over medium heat until it thickens. Add to the stew and stir to combine. (See notes).

FAQs and Hot Tips

What do you serve with Beef Stew?

I like to serve my stew with cauliflower rice or cauliflower mash, gremolata, or chimichurri and a side of chilli flakes for spicing it up a bit. For mopping up the sauce you can’t go passed our Low Carb Bread or Best Keto Buns.

What cut of beef is best for stewing and casseroles?

I like to use chuck steak. Blade, gravy beef, oxtail, and beef cheeks are also great choices.

How to thicken Keto Beef Stew?

I used 1 tablespoon of hemp flour to thicken the stew. This can be replaced with 1 tablespoon hemp seeds, 0.25-0.5 teaspoons to be used, or glucomannan powder.

A black bowl with keto beef stew in it photographed from the side.

More Recipes To Try

I know we are looking for easy keto recipes, like our healthy beef stew, which take little time to prepare. Here are a few of my favourite time-saving low carb healthy recipes.

  1. Keto Beef and Broccoli – ready in 20 minutes!
  2. Marry Me Chicken
  3. Country Style Boneless Pork Ribs
  4. Savoury Mince | Easy, Healthy + Delicious
  5. Easy Zucchini Slice Without Flour
  6. Devilled Sausages
Keto Meal Plans & Support

RAVING NEW FAN? Subscribe to our newsletter. Join our keto community on Facebook and Instagram or see all the new stuff on Pinterest.

Beef stew in a black bowl topped with chopped parsley.

Homemade Beef Stew

A great homemade beef stew recipe is a handy one to have. Hearty, healthy and loaded with flavour this is one beef casserole the whole family will love!
5 from 113 votes!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours
Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
Course: Lunch and Dinner
Cuisine: Australian Keto
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free
Recipe Category: Low Carb
Calories: 297kcal
Author: Megan Ellam
Servings: 6 serves
Tap or hover over number to scale ingredients
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Ingredients 

  • 2 teaspoons (2 teaspoons) smoked paprika
  • 500 g (17.5 oz) chuck steak cubed, see notes
  • 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) butter
  • 0.5 (1/2) onion roughly chopped
  • 2 (2) garlic cloves finely minced
  • 2 (2) bacon rashers sliced into strips
  • 0.5 (0.5) chorizo sausage diced
  • 2 (2) celery stalks diced
  • 1 medium (1 medium) carrot sliced
  • 4 (4) radishes roughly chopped
  • 100 g (3.5 oz) brown mushrooms roughly chopped
  • 2 cups (2 cups) beef stock
  • 3 tablespoons (3 tablespoons) tomato paste
  • thickener of choice see notes

Instructions

SLOW COOKER OR STOVETOP METHOD

  • Season the beef with paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the beef, onion, garlic, bacon, and chorizo (in batches if the pan is not big enough) until browned on all sides. Pour into the slow cooker. (See notes). If cooking on the stovetop, brown the beef in a large cast iron pot and add the remaining ingredients to the pot after browning the beef.
  • Add the remainder of the ingredients, except the thickener. Slow cook for 6-7 hours until beef is super tender. Extend time if the beef is not soft and tender. For stovetop, cover the pot with a lid, turn the heat down to low and stir every hour until beef is soft.
  • Turn the heat up in the slow cooker or pour the sauce into a saucepan. whisk through the thickener and simmer over high heat until thickened to your liking. It should be noted that the sauce will thicken with resting without any added thickeners.

INSTANT POT (multicooker) METHOD

  • Season the beef with paprika, salt, and pepper. Set to Sauté and add the oil and butter. When the butter has melted add the beef, onion, garlic, bacon, and chorizo and brown, stirring occasionally.
  • Scrape the bottom of the bowl for any burned-on spices and add the remaining ingredients, except the thickener. Lock the lid and steam valve in place. Set to Pressure Cook/High/35 minutes. Leave to natural release for 10 minutes then quick release.
  • Remove one cup of the broth and add the thickener of choice. Stir to remove any lumps. Pour back into the stew and set to sauté. Cook until thickened. (See notes).

THERMAL METHOD

  • Season the beef with paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the beef, onion, garlic, bacon, and chorizo (in batches if the pan is not big enough) until browned on all sides. Pour into the slow cooker. (See notes). If cooking on the stovetop, brown the beef in a large cast iron pot and add the remaining ingredients to the pot after browning the beef.
  • Add the remainder of the ingredients, except the thickener. Slow cook 4 hrs/98°C/reverse/stir. Extend cooking as needed.
  • To thicken the stew, pour the broth into a saucepan and add the thickener. Whisk to combine and simmer over medium heat until it thickens. Add to the stew and stir to combine. (See notes).

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Slow Cooker Tips
Some slow cookers or crockpots have the ability to sauté built into them making this a one pot beef stew recipe. If yours does not just follow the instructions to brown in a skillet. Same with the option to turn up the heat for thickening. 
Pressure Cooker Tips
Make sure to follow any manufacturer’s recommendations for pressure cooking. This recipe has been tested in an Instant Pot. If you have a tough piece of beef that is not tender after cooking, then you can add more time under pressure as needed or sauté until the beef softens.
Thermal Cooker Tips
The size and cut of the beef can affect the cooking times needed. Extend the time until the beef has softened. This recipe is suitable for all Thermomix® models and can be used with the Slow Cook function. A blade cover is not needed for this recipe when the reverse speed is in use.
If making beef stew in a Magimix Cook Expert use the slow cook function or set to the times and temperatures specified in this recipe. The beef can be browned in the Cook Expert using the stir fry setting before slow cooking.
Thickeners 
If you are not low carb 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder, plain flour or cornstarch will thicken this recipe. For our low carb and keto followers, I used 1 tablespoon of hemp flour to thicken the stew. This can be replaced with 1 tablespoon hemp seeds, 0.25-0.5 teaspoons to be used, or glucomannan powder.
The ratio for xanthan gum to liquid is 1/8 teaspoon per cup of liquid. I ALWAYS exercise caution and err on the side of less is more with thickeners. The sauce will also thicken with resting. If you have over thickened, add more stock to thin the sauce out.
Extra vegetables can be added to the stew to thicken it. 
Protein Choices
I use chuck steak for stewing. You can use blade, gravy beef, lamb neck chops or any of your preferred “stewing” meats. The quality and age of the cow before slaughter can affect the properties of the meat. More time may be required than the recipe states. If your beef is not tender after the suggested cooking then extend the time until it is. 
This recipe yields approximately 4-6 servings. The actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes. 
 
To calculate the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe by 4-6. The result will be the weight of one serving. 
 
Nutritional values shown are guidelines only. They are for 1 serving using the ingredients listed. 
 
All recipes have been tested using all of the cooking methods included by various recipe testers.
 
The recipe card instructions contain the most basic of steps and a list of ingredients. If you have any queries, questions, or are unsure of substitutions, please scroll up to the blog post for more information.

Your Own Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 1serve (complete with 1 dumpling) | Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 368mg | Potassium: 679mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2287IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 3mg | Magnesium: 32mg | Net Carbs: 5g
Tried this recipe?Mention @meganellam or tag #madcreations!

Share This Recipe

70 responses to “Homemade Healthy Beef Stew”

  1. Gael Clark

    5 stars
    I actually made this with lamb as that is what I had in the freezer. Just beautiful. Will definately make this again and again during the winter months. I added turnip as that is my go to for potato. Made it in the slow cooker. My kitchen smells divine.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      I am so happy you enjoyed it Gael and made it your own too.

  2. Hayley Dhanecha

    5 stars
    This looks so tasty, I had to make it! I used the Instant Pot, and thanks to your easy to follow recipe, it came out fab!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      I am so happy you enjoyed it Hayley

  3. Tristin

    5 stars
    This beef stew came out so thick and chunky just the way we like it. Will be making this for my family again!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Yay! So good to hear

  4. Erica

    5 stars
    I love a good hearty beef stew and one that is made in the slow cooker or instant pot is even better allowing all the flavors to come together. Saving this one for when the weather turns colder this sounds delicious.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Enjoy!

  5. Chenée

    5 stars
    So delicious! This was our dinner tonight in the instant pot and everybody loved it!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Awesome! So happy you enjoyed it

  6. Erin

    5 stars
    This stew looks fantastic! Especially how easy it is. Perfect for me!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Enjoy

  7. Jenny

    5 stars
    This is a rich hearty beef stew recipe. The flavors are forward and satisfying. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      You are very welcome

  8. Sharon

    5 stars
    This beef stew delivers all the classic comfort food vibes in a healthier way. It proves you don’t have to sacrifice flavor when eating healthy.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Absolutely!

  9. Nancy

    5 stars
    What a hearty beef casserole, it’s going to be perfect for the coming cooler weather.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Enjoy!

  10. Jessica

    Thermal method all the way! This stew looks so nourishing. My family will love this on cold nights.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      I hope you make it often.

  11. Amanda Mason

    5 stars
    Fantastic dish! Love the added chorizo and and the beef flavor is amazing. This is my new favorite!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Yay! And how good is the chorizo in it!

  12. Katie Crenshaw

    5 stars
    This is one of my favorite soups. Everything in this stew brings comfort. It is so hearty, tasty, and filling. Love it.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      So happy you enjoyed it Katie

  13. Jamie

    5 stars
    Talk about comfort in a bowl! This was so flavorful and satisfying. I thickened it using plain flour and it was the perfect consistency. Thank you!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Welcome x

  14. Ramona

    5 stars
    I love making casseroles so much and I can’t wait to try out this recipe! I love how flavorful and delicious this recipe looks, Thank you for sharing and I cant wait to make it!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      You are very welcome

  15. Kate

    5 stars
    This beef stew is incredible, I’ve never made beef stew with chorizo in it before but it really adds a special flavor, along with the smoked paprika.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      So happy you enjoyed it Kate

  16. Erin

    This casserole looks amazing! I can’t wait to find some chorizo and give it a try.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      I hope you love it Erin

  17. Ann

    5 stars
    I love how your recipe calls for sausage. I have never tried it before, but I bet it add lots of flavor! Excited to give it a try!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Enjoy!

  18. Marta

    5 stars
    I love beef stew, but this version, with the chorizo, has to be my new favorite way to eat it. So complex, comforting, yet easy to prepare.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Thanks for taking the time to leave a review Marta

  19. Lauren Michael Harris

    5 stars
    I love a good homemade beef stew! I don’t think I’ve ever made one with bacon before – it was such a great addition. You can’t go wrong with bacon!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Thanks Lauren

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