Recipe Notes:

Unsalted Butter Substitution: Salted butter can be used here, but I would suggest decreasing the amount of added salt just slightly to offset the salt in the butter. For a lactose-free option, you can use ghee in place of butter. For an altogether dairy-free option, use beef tallow or coconut oil.

To Make This Dish Dairy-Free: Use beef tallow or coconut oil instead of butter.

Beef Stew Meat Substitution: Any lean meat with lots of connective tissue will work just fine here. You can make this stew with beef chuck roast, chuck shoulder, chuck-eye roast, top chuck, bottom round roast, rump roast, or round tip roast. If you use a roast, cut it into bite-sized pieces before cooking.

Beef Broth Substitution: Chicken broth, vegetable broth, or mushroom broth can be substituted here.

Pinot Noir Wine Substitution: Any other bold red wine can be used here. For an alcohol-free option, use a combination of lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar and tomato paste, but this is not a 1:1 replacement and you will need to add it after cooking. Add the acid 1 tsp at a time then 1 additional tbsp tomato paste (the original recipe calls for 2 tbsp, so this will be in addition to that), taste test, then add more, based on your taste preferences. Note that adding additional tomato paste will increase the net carb content slightly. Alternatively, you could try subbing in more beef broth at a 1:1 ratio for the wine, but just note the resulting flavor of the beef stew will be slightly different than the original recipe intended.

Red Wine Vinegar Substitution: White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar will work here. Do not altogether omit this ingredient as it’s a key component to the final flavor of the dish.

Xanthan Gum Substitution: Glucomannan powder, a gluten-free and keto-friendly thickening agent extracted from the roots of the konjac plant, can be substituted at a 1:1 ratio for xanthan gum.

Net Carbs: Per serving, this dish contains 4.9 grams of net carbs. The recipe, as written, yields 6 servings and one serving is equivalent to 1 cup of stew.

Refrigerator Storage: Allow the stew to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Eat within 3 days.

Freezer Storage: This is a fantastic freezer meal that can be prepared in advance, stored in the freezer, and eaten later. To freeze, allow the stew to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or large plastic storage baggie. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw stew overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed throughout.