Some nights call for a bowl of something warm and hearty, and this keto beef sancocho fits the bill. It’s a Latin-inspired beef stew with tender chunks of meat, a rich tomato broth and plenty of vegetables, all made low carb.
The Instant Pot does the hard work. You sear the beef, soften the veggies, then let the pressure cooker turn everything into a cozy, flavorful pot of stew. Oregano, cumin and adobo give it a savory depth that tastes like it simmered all afternoon.
It only takes 35 minutes from start to finish, so it works on a busy weeknight. It also makes a big batch, which is perfect for leftovers and meal prep. If you’ve been craving comfort food that keeps your carbs in check, this Instant Pot beef sancocho is a great place to start. Grab a spoon and dig in.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS KETO BEEF SANCOCHO
- Cozy and filling. Tender beef and chunky vegetables in a rich broth.
- Ready in 35 minutes. The Instant Pot cuts the usual simmering time.
- Big flavor, simple spices. Oregano, cumin and adobo do the work.
- Low carb friendly. A no sugar added tomato sauce keeps the stew keto.
- Great for leftovers. One pot makes 8 cups.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound beef stew meat
- 4 cups beef broth [AFILIADO AMAZON US: “low sodium beef broth”]
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil [AFILIADO AMAZON US: “avocado oil”]
- 1 cup no sugar added tomato sauce [AFILIADO AMAZON US: “no sugar added tomato sauce”]
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 1 green pepper, roughly chopped
- 3 carrots, roughly chopped
- 3 stalks celery, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 cup squash, roughly chopped
- 1 cup celeriac root, roughly chopped
- 2 bay leaves [AFILIADO AMAZON US: “dried bay leaves”]
- 1 teaspoon oregano [AFILIADO AMAZON US: “dried oregano”]
- 1 teaspoon cumin [AFILIADO AMAZON US: “ground cumin”]
- 2 teaspoons adobo seasoning [AFILIADO AMAZON US: “adobo seasoning”]
- 2½ teaspoons salt [AFILIADO AMAZON US: “sea salt”]
- ¼ teaspoon pepper [AFILIADO AMAZON US: “ground black pepper”]
Equipment
- Instant Pot [AFILIADO AMAZON US: “Instant Pot 6 quart”]
- Chef’s knife and cutting board [AFILIADO AMAZON US: “chef knife cutting board set”]
- Tongs [AFILIADO AMAZON US: “kitchen tongs”]
- Wooden spoon [AFILIADO AMAZON US: “wooden spoons set”]
- Measuring spoons and cups [AFILIADO AMAZON US: “measuring cups and spoons set”]
- Airtight storage containers [AFILIADO AMAZON US: “glass food storage containers”]
HOW TO MAKE KETO BEEF SANCOCHO
Step 1: Sear the beef. Add the oil to the Instant Pot and press SAUTÉ for 10 minutes. Season the beef lightly with 1 teaspoon of the salt and the ¼ teaspoon pepper. When the pot is hot, sear the beef for 2 to 3 minutes per side until browned. Work in batches so the meat sears instead of steaming, then move it to a plate.
Step 2: Sauté the vegetables. Add the onion, green pepper, carrots, celery, garlic, squash and celeriac to the pot. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, until fragrant.
Step 3: Add the broth and seasonings. Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce, then add all the seasonings. Stir well and adjust the salt to taste. Return the seared beef to the pot.
Step 4: Pressure cook. Turn the Instant Pot off, then press the STEW function for 30 minutes. Close the valve.
Step 5: Release and serve. When the timer goes off, release the pressure manually. Stir the stew and serve. Garnish with fresh cilantro if you like.
TIPS AND VARIATIONS
- Sear in batches. A crowded pot steams the meat instead of browning it, so give each piece room.
- Chop evenly. Similar-sized vegetable pieces cook at the same pace.
- Taste at the end. Check the salt after the pressure cooks and adjust to your liking.
- Serve it your way. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top adds a fresh finish.
- Pair it simply. A crisp green salad on the side keeps the meal light and low carb.
HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT
Let the stew cool, then store it in airtight containers in the fridge. It also freezes well in freezer-safe containers. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until hot, stirring halfway.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is sancocho? Sancocho is a hearty stew popular across Latin America. This keto version keeps the cozy, savory feel with low carb vegetables.
Is this keto beef sancocho low carb? Yes. Each 1-cup serving has about 5 g of carbs and 1 g of fiber, so roughly 4 g net carbs.
Can I make beef sancocho in an Instant Pot? Absolutely. Sear the beef and vegetables on the SAUTÉ setting, then pressure cook everything on the STEW setting for 30 minutes.
What kind of beef works best for stew? Beef stew meat is the right pick. The small cubes become tender under pressure and soak up the broth’s flavor.
How many servings does this recipe make? It makes 8 cups. With a 1-cup serving size, that’s about 8 servings.
RECIPE CARD (WP Recipe Maker / Tasty Recipes)
- Name: Instant Pot Keto Beef Sancocho
- Short description: A cozy, low carb Latin-inspired beef stew with tender beef and hearty vegetables, made in the Instant Pot.
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 cups
- Cuisine: Latin American
- Ingredients: use the list from block 5.
- Instructions: use the 5 steps from block 6.
- Notes:
- Sear the beef in batches so it browns properly.
- Fresh cilantro is an optional garnish.
- Nutrition is per 1-cup serving.
- Nutrition (per 1 cup): 184 kcal, 5 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 13 g fat, 12 g protein
- Keyword: keto beef sancocho
CONCLUSION
This keto beef sancocho brings big, cozy flavor to the table with very little effort. One pot, 35 minutes and a bowl full of tender beef and veggies. Give it a try, then leave a comment and tell me how you served it. And save this recipe to your Pinterest board so it’s ready for the next chilly night!