This Hawaiian Beef Stew Recipe is going to become your new favorite if you want comfort food with a tropical touch. Imagine soft, slow-simmered beef mixed with sweet pineapple, creamy coconut milk, and a trace of soy sauce a wonderful harmony of salty, sweet, and umami.
Unlike the classic beef stew, this one incorporates island tastes that provide every mouthful a pleasant, cosy trip to Hawaii. Whether you’re making this for a weeknight dinner or serving it at a family gathering, it’s deeply satisfying and packed with bold flavors.
Thus, grab a bowl since this is not ordinary stew this is a feast inspired by Hawaii!
Table of Contents
Why You Will Enjoy This Recipe?
A distinctive twist on classic stew—a tropical, slightly sweet kick from a comfort food.
Ultra-Tender Beef: slow cooking renders the beef fall-apart mouthwatering.
Rich and creamy – coconut milk lends a silky texture and mild sweet taste.
Perfect combination: brown sugar, soy sauce, and pineapple balances sweet and savory.
One-pot wonders are easy to create and clean up!
Ingredients for Hawaiian Beef Stew Recipe
To make this beef stew with a Hawaiian influence:
Regarding the stew:
For ideal bite, cut beef stew meat into 1-inch cubes.
Vegetable Oil : For scorching and developing flavor.
Onion & Garlic : A flavorful basis for depth.
Add color, crunch, and sweetness with red and green bell peppers.
Fresh or canned (drained), pineapple chunks for that distinctive island taste.
Beef broth adds to the stew’s richness.
Brings a creamy, subdued tropical flavor from coconut milk.
Add depth and umami with soy sauce.
Brown sugar is a little sweetener meant to counter the tastes.
Tomato Paste provides the stew with a quite thick, acidic basis.
Bay leaves and dried thyme give aromatic depth.
Essential ingredients that unite everything are salt and black pepper.
To thicken the stew as needed, cornstarch plus water (optional).
👉 Note: The recipe card down below shows full ingredient amounts!
If you enjoy experimenting with different baked goods, you might like trying Braided Chocolate Chip Brioche, another fluffy and decadent treat.
Making Hawaiian Beef Stew Recipe: Techniques and Tools
First step: sear the beef.
Salt and pepper season the beef cubes. Over medium-high heat in a big pot, warm the vegetable oil. Sear beef on all sides until browned. Remove and place aside.
Second: Sauté the Aromatics.
Sauté the onions and garlic in the same pot till soft and aromatic.
Third step: Bell pepper cooking
Add the chopped red and green bell peppers and just until they begin to soften, two to three minutes.
Fourth step: lay the stew’s foundation.
Add the tomato paste, boil for one minute, then reheat the seared meat back into the saucepan. For that trademark Hawaiian taste, toss the pineapple chunks.
Step 5: Simmer the Stew
Drizzle soy sauce, coconut milk, and beef broth. Add thyme, brown sugar, and bay leaves. Cover and low-heat simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is cooked.
Step 6: Optional thicken
If you prefer a thicker consistency, stir in the cornstarch slurry and let it boil for 5 more minutes until the stew thickens.
The seventh step is final touches and serving.
Remove the bay leaves, change the seasoning with salt and pepper, then hotly present the stew.
Looking for another slow-cooked comfort dish? Check out this Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole—a rich, meaty dish perfect for hearty appetites.
Pro Advice for Perfect Hawaiian Beef Stew Recipe
Sear the beef first to lock in the liquids and provide a strong, rich taste.
Don’t skip the pineapple! It complements the meal with its inherent sweetness.
Use fresh coconut milk if at all possible for the creamiest consistency.
Let It Simmer : The longer it cooks, the more soft and delicious the beef gets.
Seek More Heat. Add chopped jalapeños or a bit of red pepper flakes.
How One Should Present
Although this Hawaiian Beef Stew tastes great on its own, here are some fantastic serving ideas:
Perfect fluffy basis to soak up all that rich, tropical sauce is steamed rice.
Using Hawaiian Sweet Rolls for dipping and absorbing remaining drops.
Over mashed potatoes, a filling and cozy variation.
With a side of roasted veggies for further nutritional value and color appeal.
Make Ahead and Storage Space
Storing Leftovers
Refrigerate leftover stew in an airtight container for up to four days.
Halting
This stew freezes really nicely. Let it cool totally, then keep in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator; then, reheat.
Reheating
Stovetop: Warm over medium-low heat; add a dash of broth if needed.
Microwave: Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until hot.
Frequencies of Questions
Is there another cut of beef I could use?
Exactly! Short ribs or Chuck roast go great and get quite soft.
Could I prepare this in a slow cooker?
Exactly! Sear the beef first; then, put everything in a slow cooker on low for six to eight hours.
Should I run out of coconut milk, what then?
Though coconut milk gives the best tropical taste, you can replace with heavy cream.
Can I turn it vegetarian?
Indeed! Change the meat for jackfruit or mushrooms, then substitute vegetable broth for beef broth.
Conclusion
Rich, flavorful, with an island twist—rich, sweet from the pineapple and coconut milk—this Hawaiian Beef Stew is a warm, comfortable meal. When you want something substantial, tasty, and somewhat unique from your typical beef stew, this is the ideal meal.
One taste would make you feel as though you are on a tropical vacation! 🌴🍍
Enjoy and have happy cooking! 🍛 ✨
Hawaiian Beef Stew
Ingredients
- For the Beef Stew:
- 2 lbs 900g beef chuck or stew meat, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Hawaiian sea salt or kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- For the Vegetables:
- 3 medium carrots sliced into thick rounds
- 3 medium potatoes peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 celery stalks sliced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar optional, for slight sweetness
- For Serving:
- 3 cups cooked white rice
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown the Beef
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the beef cubes in a single layer and sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until browned. Work in batches if needed.
- Remove the beef and set aside.
- Step 2: Build the Flavor
- In the same pot, add onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until softened.
- Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then add diced tomatoes.
- Step 3: Simmer the Stew
- Pour in beef broth, water, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika.
- Return the browned beef to the pot and bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Add the Vegetables
- Add carrots, potatoes, celery, tomato sauce, and brown sugar (if using).
- Cover and continue simmering for 45 minutes – 1 hour, until the beef and vegetables are tender.
- Step 5: Final Touches
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If the stew is too thick, add a little water.
- Serve hot over steamed white rice and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- For extra flavor, let the stew rest for an hour before serving—it tastes even better the next day!
- For a thicker stew, mash some potatoes into the broth before serving.
- For a spicier version, add a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes.