Herb-Infused Beef and Vegetable Stew
A deeply flavorful slow-cooker stew with tender beef, aromatic herbs, and seasonal vegetables simmered to perfection for effortless weeknight comfort. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 385 minutes pairs stew beef, all-purpose flour, dried thyme 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs stew beef
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 large yellow onion
- 3 carrots
- 3 stalks celery
- 4 cloves garlic
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the 1.5 lbs stew beef dry with paper towels, then season evenly with 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear the seasoned beef in batches until browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side, transferring to the slow cooker.
- Step 3: Add the 1 large diced yellow onion, 3 sliced carrots, and 3 sliced celery stalks to the skillet, cooking for 5 minutes until softened, then add the 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in the 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then pour in the 4 cups beef broth and 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, scraping up browned bits from the skillet.
- Step 5: Pour the sauce mixture over the beef in the slow cooker, add 2 bay leaves, cover, and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are tender.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Infused Beef and Vegetable Stew take to make?
Total time is about 385 minutes (25 min prep + 360 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 Herb-Infused Beef and Vegetable 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 stew beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Infused Beef and Vegetable 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 Herb-Infused Beef and Vegetable 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 Herb-Infused Beef and Vegetable 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
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.