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Keto Beef Stew

Keto beef stew made with rich, thick gravy and tender chuck beef, simmered low and slow until flavorful. Radishes stand in for potatoes, while mushrooms and celery add a hearty bite.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Soups, Stews & Chili
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

beef chuck
  • 2.5 lb beef chuck, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes Use chuck for tender results during long simmering.
salt
  • 1.5 tsp salt
black pepper
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
avocado oil
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
onion
  • 0.5 onion, diced
garlic
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
beef broth
  • 4 cup beef broth
Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
bay leaf
  • 1 bay leaf
radishes
  • 1 lb radishes, halved Halved radishes soften and mimic potato texture.
cremini mushrooms
  • 8 oz cremini mushrooms, quartered
celery stalks
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
xanthan gum
  • 0.5 tsp xanthan gum Helps thicken the stew quickly without flour.
fresh parsley
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Brown the beef
  1. Season the beef cubes with salt and black pepper, then brown in batches in hot avocado oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, turning until well browned on multiple sides. Avoid crowding so the meat sears rather than steams; transfer browned beef to a plate.
Build the stew base
  1. Cook the diced onion for 3 minutes until softened, then add the minced garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring until fragrant. Scrape up browned bits from the bottom so they dissolve into the sauce.
  2. Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, bay leaf, and the browned beef, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover and simmer at a gentle bubble for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally so the beef stays submerged.
Simmer with vegetables and thicken
  1. Add the halved radishes, quartered cremini mushrooms, and sliced celery, then return to a simmer and cook covered for 30-40 minutes until the beef and radishes are tender. Keep a steady gentle bubble and adjust heat as needed.
  2. Sprinkle in the xanthan gum while whisking constantly so it disperses smoothly, then simmer for 2 minutes to thicken. Stop whisking once the gravy turns glossy and coats the back of a spoon.
Finish and serve
  1. Remove the bay leaf and stir in the chopped fresh parsley, then taste and serve hot. Look for a thick, dark gravy with tender radishes and beef throughout.

Notes

Pro tip: Sear the beef in batches and keep the simmer gentle—this develops deeper flavor and prevents tough meat. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 4 days in a covered container. Freezing is yes—freeze up to 3 months, then thaw and reheat on the stovetop; add a splash of broth if the gravy thickens too much. For a dairy-free option, this recipe already is; for a gluten-aware swap, use Worcestershire labeled gluten-free if needed.