Homemade Healthy Beef Stew

Watch Me Make It

This low carb keto recipe has been recently updated. Originally published in June 2018 under the name Buttery Beef Casserole. Originally a keto beef stew and dumplings, I have tried to make the recipe simpler and tastier with this update.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

My easy Homemade (and healthy) low carb stew recipe is a family favourite one-pot meal. With just 15 minutes of preparation time let your slow cooker, pressure cooker, or thermal cooker do all the heavy lifting for you!

Low in carbs – this slow cooker beef stew recipe uses no flour, grains or potato, so it is naturally low in carbs and perfect for the ketogenic diet.

Multiple Cooking Methods – I have included how to cook a stovetop beef stew, thermal cookers (beef stew in your Thermomix®), multicookers (Ninja Foodi Beef stew or Instant Pot Beef Stew), and slow cookers e.g. Crockpot Beef Stew.

Related Multicooker Recipes – Italian Keto Meatloaf Recipe / Easy Keto Butter Chicken Recipe

Beef Stew vs Beef Casserole

What is the difference between a beef stew and a beef casserole?

Pretty much nothing. Some would say a casserole is cooked in an oven and a stew on the stovetop. But, with the rise of kitchen appliances like Crockpot, Instant Pot, Ninja Foodie, Thermomix®, Magimix®, plus more, a casserole or stew can be made with many appliances and various heating methods.

Related Keto Beef Recipes – Birria Tacos with Consommé / Sous Vide Wagyu Steak

The Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom of this post for the quantity of each ingredient used in our ketogenic beef stew.

Chuck Steak – I use chuck steak (beef chuck roast) for stewing. You can use blade steak, gravy beef, lamb neck chops or any of your preferred “stewing” meats. The quality and age of the cow before slaughter can affect the properties of the meat. More time may be required than the recipe states. If your beef is not tender after the suggested cooking then extend the time until it is. 

Bacon and Chorizo – I add these both for extra flavour. You can leave out if you prefer or even increase the amounts.

Beef Stock – I use Urban Forager beef stock paste with my recipes. You can use any beef bone broth or homemade beef stock that you prefer. You can add red wine as well if you prefer. If adding wine, I would replace half the beef broth with a red wine that you love.

Butter – Butter helps to add a silkiness to the sauce. I just use salted butter.

Vegetables – use any vegetables you prefer, add less, more, or none for a carnivore beef stew. It is up to you. My measures and vegetables used were just what I had on hand in my crisper. Other great choices for keto stew vegetables would include turnips, celery root, kohlrabi, and leek.

Seasoning –

How To Make Beef Stew in an Instant Pot

We have included a few methods to make this healthy low carb beef stew recipe. Scroll to the recipe card below to see if your preferred method is included.

The below images are to show you how the stew should look at each stage using an Instant Pot, crock pot, or multicooker.

Step 1. Season the beef with paprika, salt, and pepper. Set to Sauté and add the oil and butter. When the butter has melted add the beef, onion, garlic, bacon, and chorizo and brown, stirring occasionally.

Step 2. Scrape the bottom of the bowl for any burned-on spices and add the remaining ingredients, except the thickener. Lock the lid and steam valve in place. Set to Pressure Cook/High/35 minutes. Leave to natural release for 10 minutes then quick release.

Step 3. Turn the heat up in the slow cooker or pour the sauce into a saucepan. whisk through the thickener and simmer over high heat until thickened to your liking. It should be noted that the sauce will thicken with resting without any added thickeners.

How To Make Beef Stew on the Stovetop, Crockpot or Slow Cooker

Step 1. Season the beef with paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the beef, onion, garlic, bacon, and chorizo (in batches if the pan is not big enough) until browned on all sides. Pour into the slow cooker. (See notes). If cooking on the stovetop, brown the beef in a large Dutch oven and add the remaining ingredients to the pot after browning the beef.

Step 2. Add the remainder of the ingredients, except the thickener. Slow cook for 6-7 hours until beef is super tender. Extend time if the beef is not soft and tender. For stovetop, cover the pot with a lid, turn the heat down to low and stir every hour until beef is soft.

Step 3. Turn the heat up in the slow cooker or pour the sauce into a saucepan. Whisk through the thickener and simmer over high heat until thickened to your liking.

MEG’S TIP – It should be noted that the sauce will thicken with resting without any added thickeners.

How to Make Beef Casserole in the Thermomix®

Step 1. Season the beef with paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the beef, onion, garlic, bacon, and chorizo (in batches if the pan is not big enough) until browned on all sides. Pour into the slow cooker. (See notes). If cooking on the stovetop, brown the beef in a large cast iron pot and add the remaining ingredients to the pot after browning the beef.

Step 2. Add the remainder of the ingredients, except the thickener. Slow cook 4 hrs/98°C/reverse/stir. Extend cooking as needed.

Step 3. To thicken the stew, pour the broth into a saucepan and add the thickener. Whisk to combine and simmer over medium heat until it thickens. Add to the stew and stir to combine. (See notes).

FAQs and Hot Tips

More Recipes To Try

I know we are looking for easy keto recipes, like our healthy beef stew, which take little time to prepare. Here are a few of my favourite time-saving low carb healthy recipes.

1. Keto Beef and Broccoli – ready in 20 minutes!
2. Marry Me Chicken
3. Country Style Boneless Pork Ribs
4. Savoury Mince | Easy, Healthy + Delicious
5. Easy Zucchini Slice Without Flour
6. Devilled Sausages

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