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Completed Hawaiian Beef Stew served traditionally over white rice, garnished with green onions, showing tender beef and colorful vegetables in rich broth

Ultimate Hawaiian Beef Stew

Emily Wilson
Discover our authentic Hawaiian Beef Stew recipe tender chunks of beef, island vegetables, and aromatic spices simmered to perfection. Comfort food with aloha!
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Hawaiian, Island-Inspired
Servings 6 servings
Calories 385 kcal

Ingredients
  

🥩 Beef

  • 2 lbs chuck roast cut into 1.5-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon Hawaiian sea salt or kosher salt with a pinch of smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for searing

🍲 Stew Base

  • 4 cups beef broth homemade or low-sodium store-bought
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 bay leaves

🧅 Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 large sweet onion Maui or yellow, chopped
  • 3 medium carrots peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 3 medium russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 stalks celery sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1- inch piece fresh ginger peeled and minced

🧂 Optional Thickener

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup cold water for slurry

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Beef

  • If not already cubed, cut the chuck roast into 1.5-inch chunks.
  • Pat beef dry with paper towels.
  • Season generously with Hawaiian sea salt and black pepper.
    Raw beef cubes seasoned with Hawaiian sea salt and black pepper on a wooden cutting board, ready for browning

Step 2: Brown the Beef

  • In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high.
  • Sear the beef in batches, browning each side for 3–4 minutes.
  • Transfer browned beef to a plate.
    Beef cubes browning in a Dutch oven, developing a rich brown crust essential for flavorful Hawaiian Beef Stew

Tip:

  • Don't overcrowd the pot—the meat will steam instead of sear, robbing your stew of flavor.

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics

  • Using the same pot, add chopped onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Add minced garlic and ginger, cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes until it deepens in color.
    Onions, garlic, and ginger being sautéed with tomato paste, creating the aromatic base for Hawaiian Beef Stew

Step 4: Deglaze and Build the Stew

  • Deglaze: Add 1/4 cup of beef broth, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the pot.
  • Return the beef to the pot.
  • Pour in the rest of the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and toss in the bay leaves..
  • Let the mixture come to a simmer. Lower the heat, cover, and cook gently for about 1.5 hours.

Step 5: Add the Vegetables

  • Veggie Prep: While it simmers, chop carrots, celery, and potatoes into 1-inch pieces.
  • Add Vegetables: After the initial cook time, stir the vegetables into the pot.
  • Continue cooking for another 45 minutes, until vegetables are tender and beef is fall-apart soft.
    Fresh cut carrots, potatoes, and celery being added to simmering beef and broth for Hawaiian Beef Stew

Step 6: Final Adjustments

  • Taste the broth and adjust with salt and pepper as needed.
  • If a thicker stew is desired, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water and stir into the pot.
  • Let it cook for another 5 minutes, or until the stew thickens slightly and the veggies are fork-tender.

Step 7: Serve

  • Remove bay leaves.
  • Ladle stew over steamed white rice (the traditional Hawaiian way).
  • Garnish with chopped green onions.
    Completed Hawaiian Beef Stew served traditionally over white rice, garnished with green onions, showing tender beef and colorful vegetables in rich broth

Notes

🍽️ Nutrition Information (Per Serving — approx. 1.5 cups without rice)
Nutrient Amount
Calories 385 kcal
Total Fat 16g
Saturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 85mg
Sodium 820mg
Carbohydrates 28g
Fiber 4g
Sugars 6g
Protein 32g
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.
Keyword Hawaiian beef stew, island beef stew, local style beef stew