Slow-Cooked Cajun Beef Stew with Root Vegetables

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich and smoky Cajun-style beef stew simmered slowly with potatoes, carrots, and a blend of classic Louisiana spices. This latin american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 125 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, olive oil, large chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 105 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes in batches, browning all sides for 5-6 minutes per batch. Remove beef and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large chopped onion, 2 chopped celery stalks, 2 chopped medium carrots, and 4 cloves minced garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Return the browned beef to the pot and stir in 14 oz diced tomatoes, 4 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
  5. Step 5: Add 2 peeled and cubed medium potatoes, cover again, and continue simmering for an additional 45 minutes until beef is tender and potatoes are cooked through.
  6. Step 6: Remove bay leaves, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Cajun Beef Stew with Root Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 125 minutes (20 min prep + 105 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 Cajun Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Cajun Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?

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 Cajun Beef Stew with Root Vegetables 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.

What goes well with Slow-Cooked Cajun Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?

Latin American slow cooker 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.

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