Census-Style Slow Cooker Beef and Vegetable Stew
A comforting, rich stew inspired by the cultural diversity of U.S. populations, featuring tender beef and seasonal vegetables. This american comfort-inspired slow cooker ready in about 150 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, medium carrots, stalks celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 1.2 lbs beef chuck roast
- 2 medium carrots
- 2 stalks celery
- 1 medium onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1.5 lbs potatoes
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 1.2 lbs beef chuck roast with salt and pepper. Sauté 1 medium onion, 2 stalks celery, and 3 minced garlic cloves in 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 4 cups beef broth, 2 bay leaves, 2 medium carrots (diced), and 1.5 lbs potatoes (diced). Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours until beef is tender. Stir occasionally and serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Census-Style Slow Cooker Beef and Vegetable Stew take to make?
Total time is about 150 minutes (30 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 Census-Style Slow Cooker Beef and Vegetable 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 Census-Style Slow Cooker Beef and Vegetable 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 Census-Style Slow Cooker Beef and Vegetable 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 Census-Style Slow Cooker Beef and Vegetable Stew?
American Comfort 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
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
