Antique-Style Slow-Cooked Beef Stew
A rich, deeply flavorful stew simmered for hours until the beef is fork-tender and vegetables melt into a velvety broth. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 205 minutes pairs Beef chuck roast, medium Carrots, large Potatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Beef chuck roast
- 4 medium Carrots
- 3 large Potatoes
- 1 large Onion
- 4 cups Beef broth
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tsp Thyme
- 2 Bay leaves
- 3 tbsp Flour
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Trim excess fat from beef and cut into 1-inch cubes. Season generously with salt and pepper. In a heavy Dutch oven, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium-high heat until shimmering, then brown beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply seared — do not crowd the pan.
- Step 2: Remove beef and set aside. Add chopped onion to the pot and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until darkened. Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out raw flour taste.
- Step 3: Return beef to pot, add carrots, potatoes, beef broth, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and transfer to a 275°F oven for 3 hours or slow cooker on low for 8 hours until meat is tender.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Antique-Style Slow-Cooked Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 205 minutes (25 min prep + 180 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Antique-Style Slow-Cooked Beef Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef chuck roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Antique-Style Slow-Cooked Beef Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Antique-Style Slow-Cooked Beef Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Antique-Style Slow-Cooked Beef Stew?
American slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 180-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
