This hearty and healthy beef stew is slow cooked and loaded with fresh vegetables, tender stew meat, and kale that adds a whole bunch of nourishing vitamins and minerals to this low fat remake of a classic dish.
Beef Stew is one of dishes that brings back so many nostalgic memories, am I right?
I always remember have beef stew as a kid when the seasons began to change and it started getting chillier out.
It was always so comforting and cozy.
This healthy beef stew still has all the delicious and comforting characteristics that you know and love, but it’s lightened up a bit with a little less fat, and a whole lot more vegetables.
One way that this recipe saves a little on calories is substituting some (not ALL) of the potatoes with turnips.
Now trust me, you know I have NOTING against potatoes and healthy carbs, but beef stew can definitely be a bit high in carbs thanks to an overload of potato.
So turnips add some heartiness, but still keep it lightened up carbohydrate and calorie-wise.
Another way this because a healthy beef stew is that the excess oil is drained before transferring to you slow cooker.
Looking for more cozy + healthy soup recipes?
To make this healthy beef stew, you’ll start by putting most of your ingredients into your slow-cooker.
Then you’ll sear your meat in a skillet with a little bit of olive oil to brown your meat. Next you’ll drain the excess oil — this is how this recipe of lower in fat and lower in calories. We are removing the excess fat BEFORE cooking, but still getting the amazing seared flavor. SO GOOD!
Once you sear your meat, add it to the slow cooker. Let everything cook LOW and SLOW for 6 to 8 hours. This way all that tasty goodness will meld together, and your meat will get juicy and tender.
But the little extra BONUS comes right at the end. Just before serving you’ll add in some shredded kale and let it wilt for about 10 minutes or so. This will add so many nourishing vitamins and minerals — like vitamin A, K, B6, and C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and copper.
SIGN ME UP for that nourishing bowl of coziness!
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Healthy Beef Stew
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Total Time: 14 minute
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This hearty and healthy slow cooker beef stew is loaded with fresh vegetables, tender stew meat, and kale that adds a whole bunch of healthy vitamins and minerals to this low fat remake of a classic dish.
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 medium red potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 turnips, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups low-sodium beef OR vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 dried bay leaves
- 2 pounds beef stew meat (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Place the onions, carrots, celery, red potatoes, turnips, tomato paste, beef broth, thyme, parsley, oregano, and bay leaves into a large slow cooker.
Season the stew meat with salt + pepper and gently toss the meat until it is fully coated.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat..
Add the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
Add the meat and let the beef cook without stirring for a few minutes to allow the meat to brown on one side.
Stir and repeat until all sides of the beef pieces are browned.
Drain the excess fat from the beef, and add the cooked beef to the slow cooker. Stir to combine the beef with the vegetables.
Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 5 hours. Garnish with fresh parsley, and enjoy.
I hope you enjoy this nostalgic healthy beef stew just as much as I do! Let me know in the comments below!
xoxo,
Deanna
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