Slow-Cooked Spicy Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Peppers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-27 · Updated 2026-07-27

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 recipe, ready in about 445 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, sweet potatoes, peeled and diced, 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

Slow cookers worth buying for this → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Step 6: Garnish with 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro before serving with rice or crusty bread.