Caribbean-Style Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Root Vegetables

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-30 · Updated 2026-04-30

Tender beef slow-cooked with aromatic Caribbean spices and hearty root vegetables for a comforting stew. This caribbean-inspired beef ready in about 260 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, olive oil, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes beef chuck roast
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large, chopped onion
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 3 medium, peeled and sliced carrots
• 2 medium, peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
• 1 cup, peeled and cubed butternut squash
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp allspice
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp dried or 1 tbsp fresh thyme
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 small, seeded and chopped (optional for heat) scotch bonnet pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total. Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté 1 large chopped onion and 4 minced garlic cloves for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor.
3. Step 3: Transfer onion mixture to slow cooker. Add 3 sliced carrots, 2 peeled and cubed sweet potatoes, 1 cup cubed butternut squash, 3 cups beef broth, 1 tsp allspice, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp thyme, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 chopped scotch bonnet pepper if using.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through. Stir before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.