Historic-Style Beef Stew with Herbs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, slow-cooked stew with tender beef and aromatic herbs, inspired by traditional European recipes. This french-inspired beef ready in about 120 minutes pairs beef chuck, onion, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 90 min Serves 6 French cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Brown beef cubes in batches, 3-4 minutes per side, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Sauté 1 diced onion, 2 sliced carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks in the same pot for 5 minutes until softened.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 1 tsp thyme, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Return beef to the pot.
  4. Step 4: Add 4 cups beef broth, 3 cubed potatoes, and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 1.5 hours until beef is tender.
  5. Step 5: Stir in remaining carrots and celery, cook for 10 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Historic-Style Beef Stew with Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 120 minutes (30 min prep + 90 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-Style Beef Stew with Herbs?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Historic-Style Beef Stew with Herbs?

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-Style Beef Stew with Herbs 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-Style Beef Stew with Herbs?

French beef 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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