Artificial Food Coloring Free Beef and Cabbage Stew

Total time2 hr

Prep time20 min

Cook time1 hr 40 min

4.6

(27)

Artificial Food Coloring Free Beef and Cabbage Stew

This hearty, deeply satisfying stew is built on real, whole ingredients — seared beef chuck, sweet potato, carrots, and tender cabbage all simmered low and slow in bone broth until everything melts together into something genuinely comforting. The golden color comes entirely from ground turmeric and the natural caramelization of the beef, not from a dye bottle, which makes it a great pick for anyone navigating artificial color sensitivities. Packaged soups and stew mixes are notorious for sneaking in synthetic dyes to boost visual appeal, so cooking from scratch like this puts you fully in control of what ends up in the bowl. A splash of apple cider vinegar brightens the broth, while fresh ginger and garlic build a warm, aromatic backbone that makes the whole kitchen smell incredible. The technique of searing the beef first before the long simmer is what gives this stew its rich, restaurant-quality depth — don't skip that step. Finished with a handful of fresh parsley, it's the kind of meal that feels nourishing and indulgent at the same time.

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Ingredients

4 servings

1.5 lb beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tsp ground turmeric
3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch rounds
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
4 cups bone broth
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
½ small head green cabbage, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf

For serving

2 tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped (optional)

Instructions

1
Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season all over with 1 tsp fine sea salt.
2
Heat the coconut oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the beef in a single layer, working in two batches if needed to avoid crowding, and sear undisturbed for 3–4 minutes per side until a deep brown crust forms. Transfer the seared beef to a plate and set aside.

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