Slow-Cooked Caribbean Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes
Tender chunks of beef simmered low and slow with Caribbean spices and sweet potatoes for a rich, hearty stew. This caribbean-inspired beef ready in about 260 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, diced onion, minced garlic cloves 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
- 1.5 lbs cut into 1.5-inch cubes beef chuck roast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 4 cloves minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1 small, seeded and finely chopped scotch bonnet pepper
- 2 medium peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes sweet potatoes
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes in batches and sear each side for 2-3 minutes until browned all over. Transfer browned beef to slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 diced medium onion and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 tsp ground allspice, and 1 small finely chopped scotch bonnet pepper, cooking for 1 minute until spices are aromatic.
- Step 4: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, then pour in 3 cups beef broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits.
- Step 5: Transfer the onion-spice-broth mixture to the slow cooker with the beef. Add 2 medium peeled and cubed sweet potatoes, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 6: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4 hours until beef is tender and sweet potatoes are soft.
- Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving warm with rice or bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Caribbean Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes take to make?
Total time is about 260 minutes (20 min prep + 240 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 Caribbean Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes?
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 Caribbean Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes?
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 Caribbean Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes 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 Caribbean Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes?
Caribbean 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.
