Today I have another of my classic recipes that I experimented with to make a lower carb version. I started with Bloody Mary Beef Stew and created Keto Beef Stew. Just as yummy, with significantly fewer carbs!
Ingredients needed
- Beef – I usually buy stew meat but a chuck roast works well also, if cut up
- Beef stock
- Tomato paste
- Parsnips – I use these to substitute for the carrots
- Turnips – substitute for potatoes
- Onion – yellow usually
- Carrot – just one, and this is optional (see below)
- Worcestershire sauce
- Spices: garlic powder, dried thyme, dried marjoram
- Bay leaf
What makes this a keto beef stew?
The main difference between this stew and my traditional beef stew is the use of parsnips and turnips in place of potatoes and carrots. The potatoes are the biggest source of carbs in the traditional version, so using these lower carb root vegetables decreases the carb count significantly.
In addition, I made the tomato-based sauce differently. In my traditional stew, I use Bloody Mary mix or V8. V8 has over 16 grams of carbohydrates in the 1 ½ cups called for. By comparison, this keto version uses a 6 ounce can of tomato paste, for only 6 grams total carbohydrate. Win!
Are carrots keto friendly?
If you are following a very strict keto diet, carrots are probably not recommended. But they are not completely off limits. It’s a vegetable that can be consumed if you watch portions carefully. That’s why I only included one in this recipe, mainly for that little pop of color the carrot provides. One carrot contains about 6 grams of carbs, so one gram per serving of this recipe. Feel free to omit the carrot if you prefer to keep your carbs super low.
How to make this keto beef stew
I use an Instant Pot for the ease and speed in preparation. If you’d like to use a slow cooker, please refer to my Bloody Mary Beef Stew for crock pot directions.
Start by browning the beef using the sauté function. Mix the tomato paste with a little of the beef stock and add in the spices. Once the beef is brown, add in the vegetables and all sauce ingredients plus a bay leaf. Seal the instant pot and use the Meat/Stew setting with an 18 to 20- minute cook time. (20 minutes if you like extra soft veggies)
Once the cooking cycle is done, allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for at least 20 minutes (it’s usually 30-45 for me) before manually venting and opening.
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To thicken, we use xanthan gum in place of carb-heavy flour. Put a little water in a small bowl, then sprinkle a half teaspoon of xanthan gum over the surface. Whisk in immediately, then add to the stew and stir in.
What is xanthan gum
Xanthan gum is a popular food additive. It's commonly added to foods as a thickener or stabilizer. Xanthan gum is created by fermenting sugar with a type of bacteria called Xanthomonas campestris. The resulting substance is dried and turned into a powder.
When we add xanthan gum powder to a liquid, it will quickly disperse and create a viscous and stable solution. This makes it a great thickening, suspending and stabilizing agent for many products.
Even though it’s made in a lab, it’s a soluble fiber. Soluble fibers are carbs that your body cannot breakdown. Since your body is not able to digest xanthan gum, it does not provide any calories or nutrients. (healthline.com)
Variations and servings
This recipe makes about 8 cups of stew. I have it marked as 6 servings, so that means each serving is about a cup and a half. I find this is adequate as a stand-alone meal. You might find one cup enough. It's especially cozy on a chilly winter day.
As I mentioned above, feel free to omit the carrot if you want to save yourself that one gram of carbohydrate per serving. (sometimes every little bit makes a difference!) You can also add additional xanthan gum for a thicker stew, but just keep in mind that a little goes a long way!
Classic Beef Stew taste in a lower carb keto version.
📖 Recipe
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Keto Beef Stew – Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ pound stew meat
- 2 ½ cups beef stock
- 6 oz tomato paste
- ¾ pound parsnips peeled and chunked
- ¾ pound turnips peeled and chunked
- 1 medium carrot peeled and sliced
- 1 medium onion peeled and chunked
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon thyme dried
- ¼ teaspoon marjoram dried
- 1 bay leaf
- To thicken:
- ½ cup water
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to “sauté” setting. Add oil, then beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned (5 to 7 minutes).
- To a small bowl, add the tomato paste and ½ cup beef stock. Stir together until smooth. Add Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, thyme and marjoram and stir to incorporate.
- Add vegetables to instant pot followed by the tomato paste mixture and the remaining 2 cups beef stock. Add bay leaf.
- Seal Instant Pot and set to “meat/stew” setting, for 18-20 minutes.
- Once cooking cycle is done, allow to vent naturally for at least 20 minutes. Then, open and remove bay leaf.
- To thicken: place ½ cup water in a small bowl. Sprinkle xanthan gum over the surface and quickly whisk to incorporate. Add to stew in the Instant Pot and stir to evenly distribute. You can repeat with a little more xanthan gum if a thicker stew is desired.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
LJ
This stew came out perfect in my Instant Pot. Thank you for such an easy and very tasty recipe!
Sula
You are very welcome, and thank you for the kind review!
Toni
An all-time favorite meal at my house!
Sula
Same here - it's a go-to meal again and again!
Michelle | Taste As You Go
We loved the combination of vegetables in this stew! Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Sula
You're so welcome!
Audrey
Great for those of us on keto!
Sula
Isn't it great to be able to enjoy comfort food and still maintain ketosis?
Emily Flint
This stew is the ultimate comfort food! Everyone loved it and they are already asking for it again!
Sula
That's what happens at my house too!
Makhaya
This looks like such a hardy and delicious stew! I need to try this!
Sula
I hope you try it soon!
Soniya
Love good hearty stew and this looks so delicious! Adding ingredients to my grocery list... can't wait to try it
Sula
I hope you enjoy this Keto Beef stew very soon!
Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter
Such a great winter warmer! My family will absolutely love this! thank you for the recipe x
Sula
You're welcome. Beef stew is always a hit in this house, so I was thrilled to be able to make a keto version. Win-win!!
veenaazmanov
Comfort meal at its best. Looks so delicious, spicy and love the combinations of veggies too. Yum
Sula
Thank you, I hope you enjoy it soon!
Katherine
Such a nourishing bowl with so many great veggies and flavors in it!
Sula
Don't you just love a good bowl meal?
Beth Sachs
Thee really is nothing more comforting than a bowl of warm beef stew. This looks delicious and perfect for the colder nights to come.
Sula
Yes, I find it the perfect cold weather meal!
Scarlet
I have been trying to decide what to fix for dinner and this keto beef stew looks perfect. Thanks for the recipe!
Sula
You're welcome, enjoy!