Historic Heritage Beef Stew

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A slow-simmered beef stew honoring traditional techniques, featuring fork-tender chuck roast and heirloom vegetables in a rich, deeply flavored broth. This general-inspired slow cooker ready in about 180 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, medium carrots, stalks celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 485 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.

★ 3.8 (14 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 General cuisine 485 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 1.5 lbs beef chuck roast into 1-inch cubes and pat dry with paper towels. Season generously with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear beef cubes in batches until deeply browned on all sides, about 4 minutes per batch, then set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 1 diced onion to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until softened, then add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, then add 2 tbsp tomato paste and stir for 2 minutes until it deepens in color.
  5. Step 5: Return beef to the pot, add 4 cups beef broth, 2 fresh thyme sprigs, and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low.
  6. Step 6: Simmer uncovered for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is fork-tender and sauce has thickened slightly. Remove thyme and bay leaves before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Historic Heritage Beef Stew 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 Historic Heritage 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 beef chuck roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Historic Heritage 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 Historic Heritage 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 Historic Heritage Beef Stew?

General 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.

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