Slow-Cooked Spanish Beef Stew with Tomatoes and Paprika

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-08 · Updated 2026-06-08

A comforting slow-cooked beef stew infused with smoked paprika, tender tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, perfect for hearty meals. This Spanish beef recipe, ready in about 200 minutes, pairs beef chuck, olive oil, and yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 420 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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 1.5-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes in batches, browning on all sides for 3-4 minutes per batch; transfer browned beef to a plate.
2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, add 1 large diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Return beef to the pot, add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 2 cups beef broth, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme. Stir well.
4. Step 4: Bring stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover pot. Simmer gently for 2.5 to 3 hours until beef is fork-tender and sauce thickens.
5. Step 5: Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning if needed, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving with crusty bread or rice.