Four-Spice Braised Beef with Root Vegetables

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

Hearty beef braised slowly with four warming spices and a medley of root vegetables for a comforting dinner. This american-inspired beef ready in about 170 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch cubes beef chuck roast, vegetable oil, large, chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 150 min Serves 6 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 lbs beef chuck roast cubes and brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes, working in batches.
  2. Step 2: Remove beef and add 1 large chopped onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 chopped carrots, and 2 chopped parsnips to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and onions become translucent.
  3. Step 3: Return beef to the pot and add 4 cups beef broth, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1 whole bay leaf. Stir to combine.
  4. Step 4: Bring to a simmer, cover, reduce heat to low, and braise for 2 1/2 hours until beef is fork-tender and the sauce thickens. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Four-Spice Braised Beef with Root Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 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 Four-Spice Braised Beef with Root Vegetables?

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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Four-Spice Braised Beef with Root Vegetables?

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 Four-Spice Braised Beef with Root Vegetables 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 Four-Spice Braised Beef with Root Vegetables?

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.

Related recipes