Slow-Cooked Spicy Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Peppers
A hearty slow-cooked beef stew with tender meat, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers simmered in a spicy tomato sauce. This african-inspired slow cooker ready in about 445 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, sweet potatoes, peeled and diced, large red bell pepper, chopped 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1/4 cup for garnish fresh cilantro, chopped
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes. Transfer beef to slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Add 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1 tsp ground cumin, stirring for 1 minute until spices bloom.
- Step 3: Add 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, and 2 cups beef broth to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Pour the tomato mixture over the beef in the slow cooker. Add 2 cups diced sweet potatoes, 1 large chopped red bell pepper, and 1 large chopped yellow bell pepper. Season with salt and 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.
- Step 6: Garnish with 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro before serving with rice or crusty bread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Spicy Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Peppers take to make?
Total time is about 445 minutes (25 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 Spicy Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Peppers?
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 onion, diced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Spicy Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Peppers?
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 Spicy Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Peppers 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 Spicy Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Peppers?
African 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.
