Four-Stage Braised Beef with Root Vegetables

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

A comforting beef stew slowly braised through four key stages, featuring tender chunks of beef and hearty root vegetables. This french-inspired beef ready in about 125 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, onion, diced, garlic cloves, minced 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 105 min Serves 6 French cuisine 420 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes seasoned with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper and sear in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned; transfer to a plate.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 1 large diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until it darkens and coats the vegetables.
  4. Step 4: Return the beef to the pot, add 4 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 1 hour.
  5. Step 5: Add 3 peeled and chopped carrots and 2 peeled and chopped parsnips, cover, and continue to braise for another 45 minutes until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 125 minutes (20 min prep + 105 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-Stage 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 onion, diced from drying out.

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

French 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