Slow Cooker Dominican Beef Stew with Root Vegetables

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chunks of beef simmered slowly with traditional Dominican spices and hearty root vegetables, creating a rich and comforting stew. This latin american-inspired beef (gluten free) ready in about 440 minutes pairs cut into 1.5-inch cubes beef chuck, olive oil, large, chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 420 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for about 5-7 minutes, then transfer beef to the slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large chopped onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 diced bell pepper. Sauté over medium heat for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour this mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 cups beef broth, 2 peeled and cubed potatoes, 3 peeled and sliced carrots, 1 peeled and cubed sweet potato, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Step 5: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4 hours until beef and vegetables are tender.
  6. Step 6: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning if needed, and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro on top before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker Dominican Beef Stew with Root Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 440 minutes (20 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 Cooker Dominican Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?

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 Cooker Dominican Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?

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 Cooker Dominican Beef Stew with Root Vegetables 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.

Is Slow Cooker Dominican Beef Stew with Root Vegetables gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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