Classic Threat Beef Stew
Hearty slow-cooked beef stew with root vegetables and thyme, designed for comforting game nights. This comfort food-inspired slow cooker ready in about 160 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast, medium, sliced carrots, medium, cubed 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 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast
- 3 medium, sliced carrots
- 2 medium, cubed potatoes
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 2 lb beef chuck roast cubes dry with paper towels. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef cubes in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply seared, then set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced onion and 2 diced celery stalks to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until darkened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Return beef to pot, add 3 medium sliced carrots, 2 medium cubed potatoes, 4 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaves. In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp flour with 2 tbsp cold water to make a slurry. Stir slurry into stew and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Discard bay leaves before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Classic Threat Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 160 minutes (30 min prep + 130 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 Classic Threat 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 medium, sliced carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Classic Threat 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 Classic Threat 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 Classic Threat Beef Stew?
Comfort Food 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
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
