Brown's Classic Beef Stew

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty, slow-simmered stew with melt-in-your-mouth beef, tender vegetables, and a rich, savory broth. This american-inspired beef ready in about 140 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes stew beef, all-purpose flour, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 395 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 6 American cuisine 395 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat beef cubes dry, then toss with 2 tbsp all-purpose flour until evenly coated. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per batch until golden, then set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add diced onion to the pot and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  3. Step 3: Return beef to the pot, then add carrots, potatoes, celery, 4 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 2 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through, stirring occasionally.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Brown's Classic Beef Stew take to make?

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Brown's Classic 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 all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Brown's Classic 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 Brown's Classic 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 Brown's Classic 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.

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