Savory Paleo Beef & Sweet Potato Delight
This hearty Paleo Beef & Sweet Potato Delight is a nutritious twist on classic beef stew, perfect for those seeking gluten-free, dairy-free comfort food. By using sweet potatoes and cashew butter to thicken the stew, we've created a dish that is not only rich in flavor but also packed with vitamins and minerals. Along with tender chunks of stewing beef and a medley of fresh vegetables, this stew will warm you up from the inside out. Ideal for family dinners or meal prep, this dish is sure to impress with its robust taste and healthy ingredients.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
12 ounces (Halved lengthwise and baked)
Fresh Sage Leaves
4 (Whole, to be tied with other herbs)
Thyme Sprigs
2 (Whole, to be tied with other herbs)
Rosemary Sprig
1 (Whole, to be tied with other herbs)
Stewing Beef
1 1/2 lbs (Cut into 2-inch chunks)
Uncured Bacon
4 pieces (Cut across into 1/4-inch strips)
Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper
To taste (For seasoning)
Unsalted Chicken Stock
4 cups (Liquid stock)
Diced Onions
2 cups (1-inch dice)
Sliced Carrot
1 cup (1-inch slices)
Sliced Celery
1 cup (1-inch slices)
Tomato Paste
1 tablespoon (Concentrated tomato flavor)
Garlic Cloves
5 (Minced)
Smooth Cashew Butter
2 tablespoons (For thickening the stew)
Fresh Flat Leaf Parsley
To garnish (Chopped)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Prepare the sweet potatoes by poking holes in them with a fork. Place the halves on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast in the oven until fork-tender, approximately 1 hour. Alternatively, you can microwave them until soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Once cooked, let them cool slightly before scooping out the flesh into a bowl.
3
While the sweet potatoes are baking, gather the herbs—sage, thyme, and rosemary—and tie them together using kitchen twine or a clean rubber band for easy removal later.
4
In a Dutch oven, heat over medium heat and add the uncured bacon, stirring occasionally until it's crispy, which should take about 10 minutes. Once crispy, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and leave about 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat in the pot.
5
Pat the chunks of stewing beef dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high and sear the beef in batches, browning each piece on all sides for about 5 to 7 minutes. Once browned, return all the beef to the pot.
6
Pour in the chicken stock and add the diced onions, sliced carrots, sliced celery, tomato paste, minced garlic, and the tied herb bundle. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 1 hour.
7
After 1 hour, uncover the pot and simmer the stew for an additional 45 minutes, or until the meat is fork-tender and the vegetables are fully cooked.
8
While the stew is simmering, blend the sweet potato flesh with 1 cup of the stewing liquid and the cashew butter until smooth.
9
Stir the sweet potato puree into the stew, allowing it to thicken over a low heat for about 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the herb bundle and serve the stew hot, garnished with crispy bacon bits and fresh parsley.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Paleo Beef & Sweet Potato Delight?
It is a hearty, nutritious twist on classic beef stew that is gluten-free and dairy-free, using sweet potatoes and cashew butter for thickness.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, the recipe avoids grains and flour, making it completely gluten-free.
Is this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, the stew uses no dairy products, relying on cashew butter for creaminess.
How do I prepare the sweet potatoes?
Poke holes in the sweet potatoes and roast them at 400 degrees F for about an hour or microwave for 6 to 8 minutes until soft.
What is used to thicken this Paleo stew?
The stew is thickened by stirring in a smooth puree of cooked sweet potato flesh and cashew butter.
How long should I roast the sweet potatoes?
Roast the halved sweet potatoes for approximately 1 hour at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Can I use a microwave for the sweet potatoes?
Yes, you can microwave the potatoes until soft, which typically takes about 6 to 8 minutes.
What herbs are used in the herb bundle?
The bundle consists of 4 fresh sage leaves, 2 thyme sprigs, and 1 rosemary sprig tied together.
How do I cook the bacon for this recipe?
Cook 4 pieces of uncured bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat for about 10 minutes until crispy.
What type of beef is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of stewing beef cut into 2-inch chunks.
How long does the beef need to sear?
Sear the beef in batches on medium-high heat for about 5 to 7 minutes until browned on all sides.
What kind of stock is used in the stew?
The recipe uses 4 cups of unsalted chicken stock.
How long does the stew simmer initially?
After reaching a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1 hour.
How long is the second simmering period?
After the first hour, uncover the pot and simmer for another 45 minutes until the meat is fork-tender.
Why is the sweet potato blended with cashew butter?
Blending them with a cup of stewing liquid creates a thickener that adds richness without using grains.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe uses 5 minced garlic cloves.
What is the purpose of the cashew butter?
Smooth cashew butter is used to help thicken the stew while maintaining a dairy-free profile.
What is used for garnish?
The dish is garnished with crispy bacon bits and chopped fresh flat leaf parsley.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, this dish is ideal for meal prep as the flavors often deepen after being stored.
What size should the beef chunks be?
The beef should be cut into chunks approximately 2 inches in size.
How can I easily remove the herbs later?
Tie the herbs together using kitchen twine or a clean rubber band before adding them to the pot.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
How much fat should remain in the pot after cooking bacon?
Leave about 1 tablespoon of the rendered bacon fat in the Dutch oven to sear the beef.
What is the weight of the sweet potatoes used?
The recipe requires 12 ounces of sweet potatoes.
Is tomato paste included in this recipe?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of tomato paste is added for concentrated flavor.
What vegetables are included in the stew?
The recipe includes diced onions, sliced carrots, and sliced celery.
Should I dry the beef before cooking?
Yes, patting the beef chunks dry with paper towels helps achieve a better sear.
What is the dice size for the onions?
The onions should be cut into a 1-inch dice.
When should the seasoning be adjusted?
Adjust the salt and pepper to taste after the sweet potato puree has been stirred into the stew.
How much cashew butter is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of smooth cashew butter.