CREAMY BEEF & VEGETABLE STEW

Why You'll Love It:
This nourishing beef stew is the definition of comfort in a bowl. Slow-cooked until the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender, it's packed with colourful vegetables, mineral-rich bone broth, and creamy coconut milk for a rich, satisfying finish.

It's the perfect meal for cooler evenings, busy weeks, or anytime you're craving something hearty that supports stable blood sugar and keeps you feeling full for hours.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Servings: 4–6

Ingredients:

-  500g / 1.1 lb beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
-  1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
-  1 yellow onion, diced
-  3 garlic cloves, minced
-  2 carrots, sliced
-  2 celery stalks, chopped
-  1 zucchini, diced
-  1 cup mushrooms, sliced
-  2 tbsp tomato paste
-  2 cups beef bone broth
-  1 can (400ml / 13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
-  1 tsp dried thyme
-  1 tsp dried rosemary
-  1 tsp paprika
-  1/2 tsp sea salt
-  1/4 tsp black pepper
-  2 cups baby spinach or kale
-  Fresh parsley, to serve

Method:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef and brown on all sides for 3–4 minutes. This step adds extra flavour and richness to the finished stew.
2. Transfer the beef to your slow cooker.
3. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, celery, zucchini, and mushrooms to the slow cooker.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, bone broth, coconut milk, thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
5. Pour the liquid mixture over the beef and vegetables, stirring gently to combine.
6. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours (or high for 3–4 hours), until the beef is tender and the vegetables are soft.
7. In the final 15 minutes of cooking, stir through the spinach or kale and allow it to wilt into the stew.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
9. Serve warm with fresh parsley sprinkled over the top.

Notes:

-  For extra vegetables, add diced sweet potato or pumpkin at the beginning of cooking.
-  This stew freezes beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep.
-  The flavours deepen overnight, so leftovers are often even better the next day.
-  For a thicker stew, remove the lid for the final 30 minutes of cooking or mash a few of the cooked vegetables into the broth before serving.