Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Onions
Tender beef chunks simmered with sweet potatoes and caramelized onions in a savory broth, perfect for a nourishing Whole30 meal. This american-inspired whole30 (whole30) ready in about 435 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, large yellow onion, sliced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 medium (about 2 cups) sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups beef broth (Whole30 compliant)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 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 for about 5-7 minutes total, working in batches if needed, until deeply browned.
- Step 2: Transfer browned beef to a slow cooker. In the same skillet, add 1 large sliced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and caramelized.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste to the onions, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Transfer onion mixture to slow cooker along with 3 cups beef broth, 2 diced sweet potatoes, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4 hours until beef is tender and sweet potatoes are soft. Stir before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Onions take to make?
Total time is about 435 minutes (15 min prep + 420 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 Sweet Potatoes and Onions?
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 yellow onion, sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Onions?
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 Sweet Potatoes and Onions for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Sweet Potatoes and Onions whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
