When the chill in the air starts to bite, nothing comforts quite like a slow-simmered stew that fills your home with savory warmth. This Crockpot Sweet Potato Beef Stew is hearty, nourishing, and packed with flavor from tender beef chunks, soft sweet potatoes, and aromatic herbs that meld together beautifully over hours of slow cooking.
Whether you’re looking to meal prep for the week, feed a family on a budget, or cozy up with a bowl by the fire, this stew delivers. It’s gluten-free, easy to make, and just the kind of comforting one-pot wonder you’ll want to return to all season long.
What Kind of Beef Works Best in Stew?
For a melt-in-your-mouth experience, opt for chuck roast or stew beef. These tougher cuts benefit from long, slow cooking, breaking down into fork-tender pieces that soak up all the broth’s delicious flavors. Trim excess fat but leave some marbling—it adds richness!
Ingredients for the Crockpot Sweet Potato Beef Stew
- 1.5 lbs beef stew meat, cut into chunks
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
How To Make the Crockpot Sweet Potato Beef Stew
Step 1: Sear the Beef for Flavor
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef chunks in batches until browned on all sides. This adds depth to the stew’s flavor.
Step 2: Load Up the Crockpot
Transfer the seared beef to your Crockpot. Add sweet potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic.
Step 3: Add Broth and Seasonings
Pour in the beef broth and stir in tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, smoked paprika, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until beef and veggies are tender.
Step 5: Optional Thickening
For a thicker stew, mix cornstarch with water and stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
How to Serve and Store This Cozy Stew
Serve this hearty stew with crusty bread, over a scoop of mashed potatoes, or alongside a crisp green salad. For storage, let the stew cool and transfer it to an airtight container. It keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use white potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
Absolutely! Russets or Yukon golds work great if you prefer a more traditional stew.
Do I need to sear the beef first?
While it’s optional, searing locks in flavor and improves texture. It’s worth the extra step.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Sure! Swap beef for canned chickpeas and use vegetable broth. Skip the searing step entirely.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Warm it in a saucepan over medium heat or microwave in short bursts, stirring between.
How can I make it spicy?
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce for heat.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, just ensure your broth and tomato paste are certified gluten-free.
Want More Comfort Food Stew Ideas?
If you love this slow cooker stew, check out these other heartwarming dishes:
- Marry Me Chicken Pasta: A Creamy Flavor-Packed Delight
- Creamy Garlic Chicken Breasts for a rich stovetop meal.
- Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta full of bold, herby flavor.
- Shipwreck Dinner: A Hearty One-Pan Classic
- Creamy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti for another slow-cooker win.
Save This Pin + Share Your Results
📌 Save this Crockpot Sweet Potato Beef Stew to your Pinterest dinner board so you can make it again anytime.
And let me know how it went in the comments. Did you try it with extra veggies? Add some red wine to the broth? I’m all ears for your variations!
Looking for more cozy comfort recipes? Come hang out with me on Pinterest @NinaDishes where I share what’s cooking every day.
Crockpot Sweet Potato Beef Stew
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
This Crockpot Sweet Potato Beef Stew is the ultimate cozy one-pot meal—packed with tender beef, sweet potatoes, and vegetables simmered slowly in a rich, herby broth. It’s gluten-free, meal-prep friendly, and freezes beautifully.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs beef stew meat, cut into chunks
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
3 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups beef broth
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
0.5 tsp smoked paprika
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef chunks in batches until browned on all sides.
2. Transfer the seared beef to your Crockpot. Add sweet potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic.
3. Pour in the beef broth and stir in tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, smoked paprika, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until beef and vegetables are tender.
5. For a thicker stew, mix cornstarch with water and stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Notes
This stew thickens as it cools—add more broth when reheating if needed.
Don’t skip the sear—it really deepens the flavor.
Add a splash of red wine to the broth for a richer taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: beef stew, crockpot stew, sweet potato stew
