Bear With Me Slow-Cooked Beef Stew
A deeply flavorful stew with tender beef and vegetables, simmered to perfection for an unforgettable comfort meal. This american-inspired beef ready in about 210 minutes pairs pounds beef chuck, tablespoons all-purpose flour, teaspoon salt 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
- 1.5 pounds beef chuck
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 medium, sliced 1/2 inch thick carrots
- 3 stalks, sliced celery
- 3 medium, cut into 1-inch cubes potatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat beef chuck dry with paper towels, then toss with 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: Add diced onion to the pot and cook for 2 minutes until softened, then stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup beef broth and 1/2 cup red wine, scraping the bottom to release browned bits. Return beef to the pot with thyme sprigs and bay leaves, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 5: Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2 hours, then add sliced carrots, celery, and cubed potatoes. Cover and continue simmering for 45 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 6: Remove thyme and bay leaves. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bear With Me Slow-Cooked Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 210 minutes (30 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 Bear With Me 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 pounds beef chuck from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bear With Me 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 Bear With Me 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 Bear With Me Slow-Cooked Beef Stew?
American beef 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
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
