Keto Beef Stew (low carb, gluten free)

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Warm up with a comforting and satisfying bowl of Keto Beef Stew. Made with juicy, tender beef, crispy bacon, mushrooms, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, onion, and garlic, simmered in a rich, flavorful broth. This easy slow cooker beef stew recipe is sure to be a new family favorite because it is the ultimate in comfort food. It is dairy free, gluten-free, low carb, keto-friendly, and whole30 compliant.

A white serving bowl full of homemade slow cooker beef stew, with a spoon in the bowl and chopped parsley on the side.

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Ingredients in Keto Beef Stew

Ingredients all laid out in individual bowls to make crock pot

Ingredients Notes

Stew beef: Beef stew meat is generally a tough cut of meat – typically beef chuck roast or round. This makes it excellent for slow cooking as the long cook time makes the meat tender and juicy. There is also the added bonus that it is an inexpensive cut of beef. (More Keto Beef Recipes)
Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy and then chop. My favorite way to cook bacon is on a sheet pan in the oven at 375°F until it is nice and crispy. (Try this Keto Bacon Jam)
Tomatoes: For this keto beef stew recipe I used canned diced tomatoes. You can also use one medium fresh tomato. For a little kick, you can substitute a can of diced tomatoes and green chilis. (Try these Balsamic Marinated Tomatoes)
Bell peppers: I like to use a mix of yellow, red, and orange bell peppers, but you can use all of one color or a mix of any of your favorites. (Keto Stuffed Pepper Recipes)
Mushrooms: For this recipe I like to use regular button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms, but you can use any kind of mushroom you prefer.

How to Make the Best Low Carb Beef Stew

Step by step photo instructions for how to make Instant Pot Keto Beef Stew

Step by Step Instructions

1: Heat the slow cooker on the low setting.

2: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef to the pan and sear until it is browned on both sides. Transfer the beef to slow cooker.

3: To the slow cooker, add the beef broth, tomatoes, bacon, peppers, mushrooms, celery, carrot, onion, garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano.

4: Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Recipe Tips and Variations

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. (These are my favorite storage and meal prep containers)
Freezing: This low carb beef stew freezes really well and it is excellent for meal prep. I like to double the batch and enjoy half right away and freeze the other half for later. Before freezing, I seal it using this vacuum sealer and then lay it flat in the freezer so that I can stack other soups and sauces on top of it.
Reheating: This can be reheated in the microwave, slow cooker, or on the stove top.
Add extra veggies: This keto beef stew recipe is a great way to use up extra vegetables, or veggies that have reached their "use it or lose it" stage. Some of my favorite vegetables to add are green beans, cauliflower, and broccoli. If you aren't concerned with carbohydrates, it is also excellent with potatoes, sweet potatoes, or corn added. (I get my organic produce delivery here)
Change the protein: This is also delicious as a pork keto stew recipe. Simply swap out the beef for pork chops, pork loin, or pork roast. You can also make this crock pot beef stew with lamb. ( I get all of my grass-feed, organic and pastured meat here)
Add red wine wine: To add more depth of flavor, deglaze the pan with ¼ cup of red wine after searing the beef. You can also achieve this with balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar. Scrape up and mix in any bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pan and then add all those juices to the slow cooker with the beef bone broth. (I get all my keto friendly wine here)
Potato substitutions: If a stew just doesn't feel like stew to you without potatoes, try adding rutabaga, radishes, celery root, or even turnips. They will all give you the texture of a potato, with a similar taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this keto-friendly beef stew be made in the Instant Pot?

Yes! Start by heating the olive oil in the Instant Pot on the sauté function. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and cook until it is browned on all sides. Deglaze the bottom with a splash of the beef stock. Add the remaining ingredients and close the lid and the steam valve. Cook on high pressure for 30 to 40 minutes and then let the pressure release naturally.

How to thicken beef stew?

If you like a thicker stew and are looking for a keto-friendly way to thicken up the broth, you can add a teaspoon or two of xanthan gum. Whisk the xanthan gum into a small amount of water to make a slurry and then add the slurry to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients.

Are carrots keto?

While carrots aren't considered a low carb vegetable by some, I've never been one to demonize vegetables. I can honestly tell you that carrots never contributed to my weight problems over the years. 2 small carrots spread across 6 servings still keeps this dish low in carbs.

What to Serve with this Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

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