Slow Cooker Cumin-Spiced Beef and Sweet Potato Stew

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-10 · Updated 2026-04-10

A hearty, one-pot meal with tender beef and sweet potatoes simmered in a fragrant cumin-spiced broth, perfect for cozy evenings. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 375 minutes pairs beef chuck, olive oil, onion 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 beef chuck
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 medium sweet potato
• 2 carrot
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup frozen peas

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until browned, then transfer to slow cooker.
2. Step 2: Add 1 large diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until softened, then stir in 2 tsp ground cumin and 1 tsp smoked paprika for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Pour onion mixture over beef in slow cooker, add 4 cups beef broth, 2 medium peeled and cubed sweet potatoes, 2 sliced carrots, 2 tbsp tomato paste, and 1 bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Step 4: Cook on low for 6-7 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1 cup frozen peas and cook for 15 minutes until peas are heated through.