Keto Beef Stew

For a hearty and comforting low-carb meal, I like keto beef stew. With tender chunks of beef, celery and carrots, and fragrant herbs like thyme and rosemary, this stew offers rich, savory flavors and a satisfying texture. Unlike many traditional stews, it skips the potatoes to stay within your dietary goals.

Ideal for a weeknight meal or a Sunday dinner, this beef stew delivers robust flavors while aligning with keto diet rules.

Ingredients for Keto Beef Stew

• Beef: The best cut of beef for stew is chuck, also known as front shoulder meat. The round, or rear muscle, also works well. These tougher cuts take a while to become tender, but release collagen as they cook, resulting in a smooth, gelatin-rich broth.
• Onions, carrots and celery: These vegetables form the backbone of any good soup or stew. Chop them into chunks for the best texture.
• Tomato paste: When cooked with herbs, garlic and wine, tomato paste adds crucial flavor and body to stew meat. If you don’t have any on hand, tomato sauce, tomato puree or even ketchup can work as substitutes for tomato paste. Just keep in mind the sugar content.
• Beef broth: Beef broth is the flavorful base of this stew. We use a reduced-sodium broth, but you can also use regular broth and adjust the salt added at the beginning of the recipe. Use store-bought or make homemade beef broth to ensure it’s keto-compliant.
• Seasonings: Season this stew with garlic, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper.

Directions

Step 1: Brown the beef

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In a Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Brown the beef, then drain off some of the fat. You want to make the finished dish less greasy but still flavorful.

Editor’s Tip: To avoid overcrowding a small pot, brown the meat in batches as needed. Transfer the browned beef to a plate and continue to brown the rest of the pieces in batches.

Step 2: Stir in the vegetables and herbs

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Add the onion and garlic and cook them for two to three minutes, stirring to prevent them from burning.

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Stir in the tomato paste. Gradually stir in the broth.

Editor’s Tip: I like to add a cup of broth at a time, gently scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen the fond.

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Add the celery, carrots, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper.

Step 3: Simmer until the beef is tender

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Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, then cover the pot and simmer the stew until the beef is tender, about 1-1/2 hours. Uncover the pot and simmer the stew until the liquid reduces slightly, 15 to 20 minutes. You shouldn’t eat bay leaves, so discard them before serving the stew.

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Keto Beef Stew Variations

• Add vegetables: In addition to the carrots and celery, toss in zero-carb vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers or cauliflower to change the texture and taste while keeping it keto-friendly.
• Boost the flavor with bacon: Throw some strips of bacon in the pan before the beef to add a smoky and salty flavor to the dish. The bacon grease will help sear the meat and add to the fat macros.
• Kick up the heat: Add a diced jalapeno or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the stew to make it a spicy keto beef stew.
• Top the stew: Serve with shredded cheddar cheese or a dollop of sour cream for a flavorful fat bomb.

How to Store Keto Beef Stew

To store keto beef stew, allow it to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate the stew for up to four days.

For longer storage, put the stew in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, label it with the date and freeze it for up to three months. To eat frozen keto beef stew, thaw the frozen stew in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat until it’s warmed through, or microwave individual portions, stirring occasionally for even heating.

Keto Beef Stew Tips

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Can you make keto beef stew in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?

Yes, you can make keto beef stew in both a slow cooker and an Instant Pot.

To make Instant Pot stew, brown the beef using the saute mode, then saute the onion, garlic and tomato paste before adding the broth, vegetables and seasonings. Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes, release the pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then quick-release and simmer, if needed, to reduce the liquid.

For a slow-cooker keto beef stew, brown the beef in a skillet, then transfer to the slow cooker with sauteed onion, garlic, tomato paste, broth, vegetables and seasonings. Cook the stew on low for seven to eight hours, or on high for four to five hours, uncovering and cooking on high for an additional 15 to 20 minutes to thicken at the end.

What can you serve with keto beef stew?

Serve keto beef stew with a low-carb side that will complement its rich and savory flavor. Cauliflower mash makes a perfect substitute for mashed potatoes, while zucchini noodles and riced cauliflower make great low-starch alternatives to pasta and grains. For an added touch, include some keto-friendly bread to soak up the delicious broth.

How do you thicken keto beef stew?

You can use several methods to thicken beef stew while keeping it keto. Sprinkle a small amount of xanthan gum or guar gum (about 1/4 teaspoon) into the stew and stir well, as both are powerful thickeners. Alternatively, you can puree a portion of the cooked vegetables and return them to the pot, or stir in a few tablespoons of softened cream cheese for a creamy texture. Adding a splash of heavy cream and simmering until the stew has thickened is another option, as is whisking an egg yolk with some hot stew liquid and stirring it back into the pot for added richness. These methods ensure a hearty, thick consistency without compromising your keto goals.