DeKalb County Beef & Root Vegetable Stew

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-04 · Updated 2026-04-04

A slow-simmered stew with tender beef, potatoes, and seasonal roots, thickened with a rich broth and thyme for Midwest comfort. This american (midwest)-inspired one pot ready in about 120 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes stew beef, all-purpose flour, salt 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, cut into 1-inch cubes stew beef
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 3 medium, sliced carrots
• 3 stalks, sliced celery
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup, diced potatoes
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp tomato paste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat beef cubes dry, then toss with 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a bowl until coated.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until browned, then set aside.
3. Step 3: Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery to the pot, cooking for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and 1 tbsp tomato paste, cooking 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Return beef to pot, add 1 cup beef broth and 1 tsp dried thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 1.5 hours.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1 cup diced potatoes and cook uncovered for 20 minutes until potatoes are tender, then add 1/2 cup frozen peas and cook 10 more minutes until heated through.