Sweet Potato Beef Stew
A hearty stew featuring tender beef and nutrient-dense sweet potatoes, designed for the reintroduction phase to identify food tolerances while supporting wellness. This american-inspired whole30 ready in about 95 minutes pairs cut into 1/2-inch cubes beef chuck, medium, sliced carrots, stalks, sliced celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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
- 12 oz, cut into 1/2-inch cubes beef chuck
- 2 medium, peeled and cubed (1/2 inch) sweet potato
- 4 medium, sliced carrots
- 2 stalks, sliced celery
- 1/2 cup, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season beef cubes with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, then sear for 3 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add diced onion to pot and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Return beef to pot, add cubed sweet potatoes, sliced carrots, sliced celery, 2 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 1 hour until beef is tender.
- Step 4: Uncover and cook for 15 more minutes to thicken. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sweet Potato Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 95 minutes (20 min prep + 75 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 Sweet Potato 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 medium, sliced carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet Potato 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 Sweet Potato 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.
Is Sweet Potato Beef Stew whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 75-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
