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Hawaiian-Style Beef Stew

Hawaiian beef stew recipe: chunky beef and vegetables in a rich, shoyu-kissed gravy, the hearty slow-simmered plate lunch stew that tastes like home in Hawaii.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Hawaiian beef stew has its roots in the plantation era, when immigrant cooks stretched inexpensive chuck with local potatoes, carrots, and celery. The Hawaiian twist is the splash of soy sauce and the thick, gravy-like broth that begs to be poured over rice.

What makes it great is its deep, homey flavor, beef browned until crusty, simmered low and slow, and finished with soft potatoes that soak up the savory gravy. It is the ultimate rainy-day comfort food.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Pat the beef dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and brown the beef in batches until deeply seared on all sides.
  2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
  3. Stir in the soy sauce and brown sugar, scraping up the browned bits. Add the beef broth and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 1 1/2 hours until the beef is tender.
  5. Add the carrots, potatoes, and celery and simmer uncovered for 30 more minutes, until the vegetables are soft and the liquid has reduced.
  6. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer until the gravy thickens. Serve hot over steamed rice.

💡 Chef tips & storage

The stew thickens as it sits, so thin it with a little broth or water when reheating. It tastes even better the next day.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Servings4
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →