Gluten Free Beef Stew with a Kick (Using Organic Beef)
Gluten free beef stew with organic beef, bold spices, and a warming kick—perfect comfort food for cool or chilly winter days!!
When I was thinking about what I should name this stew, island beef stew was a strong contender. You see, in the Caribbean islands we like things a little hot and spicy. There’s typically a myriad of flavors happening all at the same time.
And while most of my recipes tend to lean on more simple flavors, this is definitely not one of those recipes. It’s hearty, filling, flavorful and oh so good.
Of course, it could also be called nutritious beef stew or organic beef stew because it’s chocked to the brim of good-for-you ingredients like carrots, celery, garlic, herbs and delicious spices and that tender organic beef.
Be that as it may, this is a delicious beef stew that also happens to be gluten free. So that’s the name I went with.
The star of the show is the organic beef. It’s grass fed and grass finished beef. Specifically the beef is labeled “beef for stew” or “stew beef ” on the package.
You also use chuck roast, one of my favorites. Just cut it into bite size pieces before you start. This beef may seem tough at first, but it gets really tender once you cook it low and slow, the right way.
You’re entitled to your preferences but for me, there’s nothing worse than taking a bite of beef stew and realizing that it tastes like salt, water, tomatoes and beef. There is no depth or complexity of flavors in that.
About Scotch Bonnet Peppers
Secondly, I decided to add some spice to the mix. For the heat, I called on my good friend, the Scotch Bonnet pepper, which is used frequently in African and Caribbean cooking. If you can’t find Scotch bonnet peppers, habanero will also do.
Here’s a little tip if you’re cooking with peppers and don’t like your food that spicy: Most of the heat of the peppers is in the seeds and the seed membranes. So if you want less heat, stay out of the kitchen.
Just kidding…if you want less heat, remove the seeds and membranes from the Scotch Bonnet pepper first. And please don’t touch your eyes, nose, face after working with peppers. Wash your hands right after.
Some people use gloves while cutting hot peppers, but I don’t think that’s necessary. If you’re particularly sensitive or want to be extra careful, then gloves are an option.
I did inquire with my sous chef (the then 10 year old), to see if I should leave the seeds in or take them out. Believe it or not, she opted for me to leave the seeds in (knowing very well that it was responsible for all the heat) and then proceeded to have two bowls of the tasty beef stew right after.
That child is a trip and a half.
You can buy Scotch Bonnet peppers at any African/Caribbean Market or International store.
Where to Buy Stew Meat for Gluten Free Beef Stew
Here’s the thing, you don’t want to spend all this time in the kitchen prepping and get the wrong type of beef for your stew. So make sure that you buy a good quality cut.
Grass-fed beef is leaner, loaded with more vitamins, antioxidants and has a lower inflammatory profile which is beneficial for immunity.
Source your beef from a local butcher or small farmer that you trust.
Step By Step: How to Make Spicy Beef Stew (Full Instructions in Recipe Card Below)
So here’s what you’ve been waiting for, how to make spicy beef stew.
Once you have all the stew beef and all your tasty vegetables and herbs rounded up, you’re ready to go!
Step 1: Start by seasoning the beef.
Step 2: Sear in a hot Dutch oven until it gets a nice crust and then remove the beef and set aside.
Step 3: After that, sauté the veggies (carrots, celery, garlic, pepper and bay leaves) in different batches. This will take 5-10 minutes depending on what you’re sautéing. You’re not totally cooking the veggies, just getting them soak up some of that flavor.
Step 4: Remove those vegetables and add the beef stock and scrape up any leftover juicy bits.
Step 5: Add beef, broken up tomatoes, rosemary, thyme, oregano and cloves back to the pot.
Step 6: Simmer for 1.5 hours. Low and slow is the name of the game.
Step 7: After that time, add potatoes and return veggies to pot.
Step 8: Cook at the same low heat for 1.5 hours more.
Step 9: The end result is tasty, flavorful and quite tender.
In the Slow Cooker
You’ll be happy that you can prepare this gluten free beef stew in the slow cooker.
From Step 4: After scraping up the flavor from the pot with the beef broth, add the contents of the pot, beef, herbs and potatoes to the slow cooker.
Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 8-9 hours until the beef is tender.
About the Ingredients
Don’t fret if you don’t have any beef stock on hand. Chicken broth also works really well. To really amp on the flavor on this recipe, use this homemade beef broth recipe.
When it comes to what tomatoes to use for this beef stew, use the best that you can get. I highly recommend using organic whole peeled tomatoes for this.
But, don’t drain the juice!!!
Since the tomatoes are whole, use your hands to crush them before placing them in the pot. I promise that this is just as therapeutic as it is messy.
For those asking, “Yes”, you can buy the tomatoes already crushed but, you’d be missing out on free therapy and a more rustic stew. It’s really your choice.
After the “therapeutic tomatoes”, add potatoes, mushrooms, cloves, bay leaves, rosemary and fresh cracked pepper. I use small Yukon Gold potatoes but, you can use Russets or any other potatoes you like.
The house will smell amazing by the way! Pair this stew with a fresh salad or grain or gluten free bread.
If you’re looking for more delicious ways to warm up this season try these recipes: beef slow cooker butternut squash bisque, chili con carne (no beans), turkey wild rice soup
Q&A
Can I Make this Beef Stew in a Slow Cooker?
Yes! See directions a little higher above.
For the slow cooker version, I sauté the veggies and beef first as before but, then add them into the slow cooker right before adding any liquid.
Using a slow cooker with Scotch bonnet turns up the heat on this stew. So just be aware of that part.
When cooking slow cooker recipes, you can opt to cook the stew for a few hours first before adding the potatoes in to avoid them getting mushy. But, I find that putting them in from the beginning still works.
Tips and Tricks: A Few Substitutions for this Organic Beef Stew
This stew is amazing (if I must say so myself). I’d hate for you to miss out because of dietary things. So here are a few substitutions that you can make.
Don’t like spicy food: Just leave the out the Scotch Bonnet pepper.
I looked really hard and can’t find Scotch Bonnet Pepper: Try substituting Serrano Chiles or Habanero instead. You can also just leave it out.
I’m not a fan of beef: That’s fine. This is a great soup base, you can use chicken instead.
I like to switch things and go meatless on Mondays. What can I substitute? You can use any dried beans you like. Pinto, garbanzos or red beans could work well.
Spicy Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef cubes stew meat or beef chuck for stew
- 4 carrots large and sliced
- 5 celery stalks – chopped
- 1 onion (large – chopped )
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups beef broth
- 5 potatoes medium-sized peeled and cubed
- 28 oz peeled whole tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp multi-purpose dry seasoning
- 1 tbsp salt course
- 1/2 Scotch bonnet or habanero hot pepper can sub for habanero pepper – seeds removed
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 1 tbsp oregano fresh or 1 tsp dry
- 1 tsp rosemary fresh rosemary leaves
- 1 tsp thyme fresh or 1/4 tsp dried
- 1 tbsp parsley dry
Instructions
- Season beef with salt, black pepper and all-purpose seasoning.
- Place 2 tbsp of ghee in large Dutch oven on low to medium-low heat.
- In small batches, brown meat on all sides until it forms a nice crust, adding more ghee between batches if needed.
- Remove and put on a large plate.
- Add onions, garlic and bay leaves..
- Cook on low heat for 5 minutes.
- To the same pot add carrots, celery, hot pepper, and mushrooms,
- Simmer on low for an additional 10 minutes, making sure to stir often.
- Remove the contents from the pot and set aside.
- To the same pot add beef broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any remaining bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Use the same spoon to break up the tomatoes into chunks and add to the broth.
- Return beef to pot and add oregano, rosemary, thyme and cloves.
- Simmer low and slow for 1.5 hours.
- Return simmered veggies to pot.
- Add potatoes and cook for an additional 1.5 hours. low and slow.
- Remove bay leaves.
- Top with dried parsley just before serving .
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Original 8/26/20 Updated 1/7/22
Updated For Content: 2/10/2026
This stew is comfort food at its peak. Full of flavor, and chock full of hearty veggies. My whole family LOVED it, and I have some picky eaters to contend with! Thanks Lisa, for the great addition to our fam favorites!
I love it when a nourishing meal doubles as a crowd pleaser and picky eater converter.