Keto beef stew is the ultimate mash-up of childhood nostalgia and grown-up keto savviness. It’s warm, filling, and packed with flavor, minus the carb overload. Made with tender beef, hearty veggies, and a savory broth, it’s the perfect meal for any chilly day. Plus, it’s easy to make and stores well for quick and easy leftovers!

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There’s nothing better than a hearty bowl of beef stew on a chilly evening, right? But if you’re following a keto or low-carb diet, those traditional recipes loaded with starchy veggies and flour thickeners are a no-go.
That’s where keto beef stew saves the day!
By swapping out the high-carb stuff for keto-friendly ingredients, you get all the rich, comforting flavors you love—without messing up your low-carb game.
Note: Want to know how to thicken beef stew without flour? Or maybe you’re craving beef stew with dumplings but need to keep it keto? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
This recipe is packed with bold flavors and easy tips to keep things low-carb and totally delicious!

Why You’ll Love This Keto Beef Stew
This keto beef stew isn’t just another low-carb recipe—it’s pure comfort in a bowl. It’s hearty, flavorful, and super easy to make. Here’s why it’s a total winner:
- Big on Flavor: Garlic, thyme, rosemary, and parsley come together to give every bite a seriously delicious kick.
- Full of Good Stuff: With protein-packed beef and fiber from radishes and celery, it’s as nourishing as it is filling.
- Keto-Friendly Thickener: Forget the carbs—xanthan gum or glucomannan powder gives it that creamy, thick texture you love.
- Easy on the Wallet: Made with simple, budget-friendly ingredients.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a batch, and you’re set for the week.
If making keto stews at home feels intimidating, don’t worry. Follow this easy guide, and you’ll whip up a bowl of guilt-free comfort food in no time.

Ingredients for the Perfect Keto Beef Stew
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this easy beef stew:
- Beef Stew Meat: Choose well-marbled cuts like chuck roast or brisket for tender, juicy bites.
- Beef Stock: Adds depth of flavor without additional carbs.
- Tomato Paste: Adds a touch of tanginess and helps thicken the stew.
- Seasonings: Thyme, rosemary, or oregano bring a savory, aromatic flavor. You'll need 1 teaspoon for each!
- Parsley: Brightens the flavor and adds color.
- Minced Garlic: Adds a flavorful kick. Use fresh garlic if you can.
- Radishes: Swap out high-carb potatoes for low-carb radishes to mimic their firm texture.
- Carrot: Adds a touch of sweetness without exceeding keto limits.
- Celery: The perfect crisp, aromatic addition.
- Xanthan Gum: A keto-friendly thickener that gives the stew its hearty consistency.
Optional Ingredients
Want to add more variety? Try turnips in place of radishes or sprinkle in a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.


Can You Make Beef Stew and Dumplings on Keto?
Yes! If you’re craving beef stew with dumplings, you can whip up a keto-friendly version using almond flour or coconut flour instead of regular flour.
I love this recipe for almond flour biscuits!
Add your dumpling batter toward the end of the simmering process and cover until cooked through.
Voilà! Your keto beef stew goes from hearty to indulgent.


Storage and Reheating Tips
Keto beef stew stores well, making it perfect for meal prep. Here’s how to keep it fresh:
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating for best results.
- Reheating: Warm the stew on the stovetop or microwave, stirring occasionally to redistribute the thickener.


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Recipe

Keto Beef Stew with Radishes
Video
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat cubed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups beef stock unsalted or low sodium
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons salt adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups radish tops and bottoms cut off
- 1 small carrot roughly chopped
- 1 small onion roughly diced
- 4 celery stalks cut into large bite sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef stew meat in batches, searing on all sides until browned. Remove the beef and set aside.
- Lower the heat to medium. Add tomato paste to the pot and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the paste darkens slightly and becomes fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Return the seared beef to the pot. Mix in the thyme, rosemary, oregano, parsley, salt, and pepper. Pour in the beef stock and water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour to tenderize the beef and develop flavor.
- Once the beef is tender, stir in the radish, carrot, and celery. Sprinkle the xanthan gum evenly over the stew, stirring well to avoid clumps.
- Cover and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the stew has thickened.
Notes
- Add 1 tablespoon of Tamari sauce and/or a bay leaf for even more depth of flavor.
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
Post updated February 7, 2025, with new images and additional recipe information. First published on November 13, 2014.
Joey
Any idea how this would come out in an instapot
Lisa MarcAurele
It's a great recipe for the Instant Pot. I usually use the stew setting so it doesn't boil in the pot.
Nicole Brockington
This looks great! Where are daikon radishes sold? I've looked in a few grocery stores and didn't see them.
Lisa MarcAurele
I buy them at Shop Rite which is a local grocery store. But I've also seen them at Whole Foods.
Donna
Question, I thought all root vegetables were a no-no in low carb cooking. If not which ones can we use?
Lisa
You can use radishes, turnips, onions (sparingly), and rutabagas. I haven't found any issues with these. However, you don't want to use too much.
Emily Kemp
Yum, I love beef stew so I can't wait to try this!
Mary
Hi Lisa,
I'm not clear on the amount of celery. Do we use 4 stalks, or one piece that is 4 inches long?
Lisa
Fixed! The wording got messed up when the recipe was converted from one software program to another.
Shane
Could this all be tossed in a crockpot together? 🙂
Lisa
Absolutely!
Lisa Marie Adler
I use brown gravy mix instead of flour, cornstarch, or xanthum gum.
Lisa
There may be hidden carbs in the mix so you might want to check the ingredients.
Audrey
Is this 1 cup serving?
Lisa
These are larger bowl size servings. More like 2 cups. I didn't measure, but it was enjoyed for 8 meals.
Linda
Finally made this stew, my local food coop had organic daikon radishes available, as well as grass fed stew beef.
Turned out very well.
The entire recipe did indeed give me 8 servings, about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cup each,
and it is amazing how much the daikon resembles potatoes.
Great addition to my cold weather soup recipes!
Lisa
Thank you Linda for verifying the serving size!