Keto Sausage and Bell Pepper Slow Cooker Stew
A hearty slow cooker stew blending savory sausage with colorful bell peppers and onions, seasoned with smoked paprika for a deep smoky flavor. This mediterranean-inspired keto (paleo, whole30) ready in about 260 minutes pairs medium, sliced yellow onion, minced garlic, teaspoons smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1 pound, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds keto-friendly pork sausage
- 1 large, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
- 1 large, sliced into thin strips yellow bell pepper
- 1 large, sliced into thin strips green bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced yellow onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound sliced keto-friendly pork sausage and brown for 4-5 minutes until edges are crisp. Transfer sausage to the slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté 1 medium sliced yellow onion, 3 cloves minced garlic, and 3 large sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, green) over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker with the sausage. Add 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 cup chicken broth.
- Step 4: Stir everything gently to combine, cover, and cook on low for 4 hours.
- Step 5: Before serving, stir the stew and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with a side of steamed low-carb vegetables.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Keto Sausage and Bell Pepper Slow Cooker Stew take to make?
Total time is about 260 minutes (20 min prep + 240 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Keto Sausage and Bell Pepper Slow Cooker Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, sliced yellow onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Keto Sausage and Bell Pepper Slow Cooker Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Keto Sausage and Bell Pepper Slow Cooker Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Keto Sausage and Bell Pepper Slow Cooker Stew paleo?
Yes — this recipe is tagged paleo, whole30, low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
