Spicy Tomato & Beef Stew
A robust, slow-simmered stew with ground beef, smoky tomatoes, and aromatic spices, delivering deep flavor without hidden sugars. This american-inspired whole30 ready in about 70 minutes pairs avocado oil, (85% lean) ground beef, large, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 lb (85% lean) ground beef
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1, diced red bell pepper
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 (14 oz) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 3 cups beef bone broth
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup, diced zucchini
- 1 cup, sliced mushrooms
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking it into crumbles, for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat and set beef aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add the remaining 1 tbsp avocado oil. Add 1 diced yellow onion, 2 diced celery stalks, and 1 diced red bell pepper. Sauté for 4 minutes until vegetables are softened.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until it darkens slightly.
- Step 4: Add 2 (14 oz) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with juices), 3 cups beef bone broth, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne, and 2 rosemary sprigs. Bring to a gentle simmer and stir in the cooked ground beef.
- Step 5: Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, then add 1 cup diced zucchini and 1 cup sliced mushrooms. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 6: Remove rosemary sprigs and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Tomato & Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 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 Spicy Tomato & Beef 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 avocado oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Tomato & Beef 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 Spicy Tomato & Beef 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.
What goes well with Spicy Tomato & Beef Stew?
American whole30 like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
