Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for keto friendly beef stew, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Beef Chuck Stew Meat – If you can’t find pre-cut beef stew meat, you could use a whole beef chuck roast, which I sometimes see labeled “pot roast” at the store. Just cut it into 1 inch cubes. Olive Oil – Other heat-safe oils, such as avocado oil, also work. Onion – Use white or yellow onions. Sweet onion will also work, but carbs are a bit higher. Carrots – Peel and cut carrots into thick circles. Carrots are not very keto friendly on their own, but the small amount in this recipe works for me. If you don’t want to use them, replace with bell peppers instead. Garlic – I used fresh garlic, but you could use 2 teaspoons jarred minced garlic for convenience if you prefer. Celery Root – The secret ingredient in this keto beef stew recipe? Celery root! Low in carbs, this root veggie has the texture of potatoes once it’s soft and tender. (You can also make celery root soup with it, which is a dupe of loaded potato soup). For the stew, you’ll get about 1 pound peeled, cubed celery root from 1.5 pounds celery root with stems and peel — the perfect amount for this dish. If you can’t find celery root, rutabaga would make a suitable substitute. Beef Bone Broth – You can use store-bought or homemade bone both in this healthy beef stew recipe. It adds a rich flavor and can also help you avoid keto flu! But if needed, regular beef broth also works. Diced Tomatoes – I used a can of diced tomatoes in place of higher-sugar tomato paste. It also helps balance out the richer flavor of bone broth. Bay Leaves – Used for flavor. Be sure to remove the bay leaves from the stew before serving. Seasonings – Sea salt, black pepper, and my homemade Italian seasoning season this delicious keto stew simply.
How To Make Keto Stew
This section shows how to make low carb beef stew, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Peel And Cut Celery Root:
Cook Low Carb Stew:
Variation: Make It Thicker
This beef stew keto recipe doesn’t need any thickeners! It thickened up really nicely all on its own. But, if you want it more of the consistency of gravy, you can add some gelatin, similar to thickening keto gravy. (If you need an alternative thickener to a traditional one like cornstarch, check this list of cornstarch substitutes.) It’s the perfect comfort food, and there are so many ways to customize it to your taste preferences. Here are some tips for making the best keto beef stew ever!
Brown each piece of meat. It’s important to brown the beef over high heat, in a single layer, and without moving it around too much. This ensures a nice sear. Do it in batches if necessary so that each piece touches the pan. Add red wine. If you like, you can add 1/2 cup red wine at the same step as the broth – some people consider red wine (or red wine vinegar) a must for beef stew. This will increase carb count though, and isn’t absolutely necessary. I skipped it for my stew to make it more kid friendly, too. Let beef stew simmer. Not to worry – you don’t have to stand by the stove, so this is a good time to meal prep other dishes or do something else around the house. Don’t add celery root too soon. We add the celery root at a later step so that it doesn’t get too mushy. It takes about 15-20 minutes to get soft, similar to boiling potatoes.
Here is how thicken keto stews with gelatin after cooking:
Storage Instructions
Store: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Meal prep: Most soups and stews taste even better the day after they have been made and this one is no exception! Make it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge or freezer for a quick and easy dinner. Reheat: Microwave or heat leftover keto beef stew on the stove top until hot. Freeze: Let the stew cool completely, then then place in the freezer in a freezer bag or airtight container. Let it thaw out overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What To Serve With Keto Beef Stew
This beef stew keto recipe is a meal-in-a-bowl, but if you’d like a veggie or bread side to go along with it, I’ve got you covered! Here are a few keto side dishes to try:
Once it’s solid, you can store it vertically for easier access.
Bread – The easiest way to ensure you don’t leave a single drop of low carb beef stew in the bowl is to pair it with a side of keto bread, keto garlic bread, keto biscuits, or keto breadsticks from my Easy Keto Cookbook! Vegetables – Veggie sides like oven roasted brussels sprouts or artichoke salad pair nicely with this keto beef stew. Mash – If you miss beef stew over mashed potatoes, try this mashed cauliflower recipe for a low carb (but just as tasty) alternative. Cauliflower rice would be good, too.
More Keto Stews And Soups
When weather gets chilly, it’s the perfect chance to make hearty keto soups and stews. Here are a few reader favorites: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email.
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