Government-Approved Slow-Cooked Beef Stew
A hearty, budget-conscious stew that simmers to perfection with minimal effort. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs cubed beef chuck roast, medium, cubed potatoes, medium, sliced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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, cubed potatoes
- 4 medium, sliced carrots
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 1.5 lbs cubed beef chuck roast with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. In a slow cooker, layer 1 diced large onion, 4 sliced medium carrots, and 3 cubed medium potatoes.
- Step 2: Place beef roast on top of vegetables, then spread 2 tbsp tomato paste evenly over the beef. Sprinkle with 1 tsp dried thyme.
- Step 3: Pour 3 cups beef broth over everything, ensuring liquid covers ingredients halfway. Set slow cooker to LOW and cook for 7-8 hours until beef is fork-tender.
- Step 4: After cooking, remove beef and vegetables with a slotted spoon. Skim excess fat from the broth, then return meat and vegetables to the pot. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken sauce slightly before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Government-Approved Slow-Cooked Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Government-Approved 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 Government-Approved 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 Government-Approved 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 Government-Approved Slow-Cooked Beef Stew?
American 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
- ★★★★★
Love how the American come through in every bite.
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
