Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Stew
A rich, hearty stew made with braised beef, root vegetables, and a blend of aromatic herbs for an authentic, time-honored flavor. This french-inspired one pot ready in about 180 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, medium, sliced carrots, stalks, sliced celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1.5 lbs beef chuck roast
- 3 medium, sliced carrots
- 2 stalks, sliced celery
- 2 medium, diced onions
- 2 medium, cubed potatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp, fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 1.5 lbs beef chuck roast with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, sear beef on all sides until browned, 4-5 minutes per side.
- Step 2: Add 2 diced onions, 2 stalks celery, and 3 sliced carrots, sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, cook for 1 minute. Pour in 4 cups beef broth, add 2 tbsp thyme, 2 bay leaves, and 2 tbsp carrots.
- Step 4: Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 2.5-3 hours until beef is tender. Add remaining potatoes and cook for 20 minutes.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning, and serve with crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 180 minutes (30 min prep + 150 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 Authentic 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 Authentic 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 Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Stew?
French one pot 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
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better main course dishes though.
