Slow Cooker Moroccan-Spiced Beef Stew with Root Vegetables

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

Tender beef stewed low and slow with aromatic Moroccan spices and hearty root vegetables for a comforting, flavorful meal. This african-inspired beef (whole30, gluten free) ready in about 440 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, carrots, peeled and chopped, parsnips, peeled and chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 medium parsnips, peeled and chopped
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 2 pounds 1-inch cubed beef chuck in batches, browning all sides for 4-5 minutes per batch. Transfer browned beef to slow cooker.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
3. Step 3: Transfer onion mixture to slow cooker with beef. Add 3 chopped carrots, 2 chopped parsnips, 3 cups beef broth, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
4. Step 4: Stir to combine ingredients in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
5. Step 5: Before serving, stir and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the stew for a fresh herbal note.