Dakota Slow-Cooked Beef Stew
A deeply flavorful beef stew simmered with root vegetables and aromatic herbs, perfect for chilly North Dakota evenings. This american-inspired beef ready in about 145 minutes pairs cubed beef chuck roast, medium, chopped carrots, medium, cubed potatoes 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
- 1.5 lbs, cubed beef chuck roast
- 3 medium, chopped carrots
- 3 medium, cubed potatoes
- 1, finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 1.5 lbs cubed beef chuck roast with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat and sear beef in batches until browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch.
- Step 2: Add 1 finely chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the pot, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Return beef to pot, then add 3 cups beef broth, 3 chopped medium carrots, 3 cubed medium potatoes, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low for 2 hours until beef is fork-tender.
- Step 4: Remove bay leaves, then thicken stew by mixing 1 tbsp all-purpose flour with 2 tbsp cold water. Stir into stew and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes until sauce coats the back of a spoon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dakota Slow-Cooked Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 145 minutes (20 min prep + 125 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 Dakota 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 cubed beef chuck roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Dakota 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 Dakota 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 Dakota 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
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to beef dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
