Historic Heritage Beef Stew

By , Test Kitchen Director · 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 485 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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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.

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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