Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Amazonian Spices

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-15 · Updated 2026-06-15

A hearty Brazilian-inspired beef stew simmered with fragrant Amazonian spices and root vegetables for a rich, comforting flavor. This Brazilian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 140 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, olive oil, yellow onion, diced 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 lb beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup carrots, sliced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp dried annatto seeds (urucum)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes until well seared; remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried annatto seeds, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp smoked paprika, cooking for 2 minutes to toast the spices and develop aroma.
4. Step 4: Return the browned beef to the pot along with 3 cups beef broth, 2 cups cubed sweet potatoes, and 1 cup sliced carrots. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 2 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are soft.
5. Step 5: Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving to add a fresh note.