Genuine Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Root Vegetables
A deeply flavorful beef stew simmered for hours with earthy root vegetables, creating a rich, comforting meal that's truly worth the wait. This french-inspired slow cooker ready in about 180 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, carrots, parsnips for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 lbs beef chuck roast
- 12 oz carrots
- 10 oz parsnips
- 2 medium onion
- 3 stalks celery
- 5 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 tbsp thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat beef dry, season with salt and pepper, then dust with 2 tbsp flour. Sear in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply browned; remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In same pot, cook diced onion and celery for 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and tomato paste; cook 1 minute until fragrant. Deglaze with red wine, scraping up browned bits.
- Step 3: Return beef to pot, add broth, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low for 2.5 hours. Add cut carrots and parsnips; cook uncovered for 45 minutes until vegetables are fork-tender and sauce thickens.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Genuine Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 180 minutes (30 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 Genuine Slow-Cooked Beef Stew 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 beef chuck roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Genuine Slow-Cooked Beef Stew 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 Genuine Slow-Cooked Beef Stew 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 Genuine Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?
French 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
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
