Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Andean Potatoes and Peppers
A hearty Bolivian-inspired beef stew featuring tender beef chunks simmered with native Andean potatoes and sweet bell peppers in a savory broth. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 140 minutes pairs large onion, finely chopped, garlic cloves, minced, beef broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 1.5 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups Andean potatoes (or Yukon gold), peeled and diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 pounds beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes until deeply seared, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large finely chopped onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 teaspoon ground cumin and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika to the onion mixture, stirring for 1 minute to release their aroma.
- Step 4: Return the browned beef to the pot and pour in 4 cups beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Cover and reduce heat to low, simmer gently for 1 hour 15 minutes until beef is tender.
- Step 6: Add 2 cups diced Andean potatoes and 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 sliced yellow bell pepper to the pot, stir well.
- Step 7: Season with 1.5 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper, then cover and cook for another 30 minutes until potatoes are soft and peppers tender.
- Step 8: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro. Let stew rest for 5 minutes before serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Andean Potatoes and Peppers take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Andean Potatoes and Peppers?
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 large onion, finely chopped from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Andean Potatoes and Peppers?
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 Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Andean Potatoes and Peppers 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.
What goes well with Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Andean Potatoes and Peppers?
Latin American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
