Slow Cooker Grass-Fed Beef Jerky Stew
A hearty stew made with grass-fed beef jerky pieces simmered with root vegetables and aromatic herbs, perfect for a protein-rich Whole30 meal. This american-inspired whole30 (whole30, high protein) ready in about 375 minutes pairs medium, peeled and diced carrots, diced celery stalks, medium, chopped yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 6 oz, chopped into bite-size pieces grass-fed beef jerky
- 2 medium, peeled and diced carrots
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1 medium, chopped yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 3 cups, Whole30 compliant beef broth
- 1 cup, no added sugar diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium chopped yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks; sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a slow cooker and add 6 oz chopped grass-fed beef jerky, 3 cups Whole30-compliant beef broth, 1 cup no-sugar-added diced tomatoes, and 2 tbsp tomato paste.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
- Step 4: Before serving, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for brightness. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Grass-Fed Beef Jerky Stew take to make?
Total time is about 375 minutes (15 min prep + 360 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 Grass-Fed Beef Jerky Stew?
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 diced celery stalks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Grass-Fed Beef Jerky Stew?
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 Grass-Fed Beef Jerky Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Grass-Fed Beef Jerky Stew whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
