Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Mushrooms and Cauliflower Mash

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty slow-cooked beef stew rich with mushrooms served alongside creamy cauliflower mash, perfect for a low-carb keto meal. This american-inspired keto (low carb) ready in about 500 minutes pairs beef chuck, cubed, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb cubed beef chuck and brown on all sides for 5-6 minutes, then transfer to a slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté 1 diced medium yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant, then add 8 oz sliced button mushrooms and cook another 5 minutes until softened and browned. Transfer mixture to slow cooker.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper into the slow cooker with beef and veggies. Stir to combine, cover, and cook on low for 7-8 hours until beef is tender.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, steam 4 cups cauliflower florets until very tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a blender or food processor and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 1/4 cup heavy cream. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  5. Step 5: Serve the slow-cooked beef stew hot with a generous scoop of cauliflower mash on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Mushrooms and Cauliflower Mash take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Mushrooms and Cauliflower Mash?

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 beef chuck, cubed from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Mushrooms and Cauliflower Mash?

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 Mushrooms and Cauliflower Mash 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Mushrooms and Cauliflower Mash keto?

Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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