History-Infused Beef Stew with Smoked Paprika
A deeply flavorful stew honoring the 'history' in Martin's guitar legacy, slow-cooked with smoky spices and tender beef for a dish that feels timeless and authentic. This french-inspired slow cooker ready in about 260 minutes pairs cubed beef chuck, all-purpose flour, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 2 lbs cubed beef chuck
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 diced carrot
- 1 diced onion
- 2 stalks diced celery
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaf
- 1 lb diced potatoes
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat beef chuck dry, then coat evenly with 3 tbsp all-purpose flour. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Brown beef in batches for 4 minutes per side until deeply seared, transferring to a plate as you go to avoid crowding the pan.
- Step 3: Add diced onion, carrot, celery, and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot, cooking for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then deglaze with 1 cup red wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
- Step 5: Return beef to pot, add 3 cups beef broth, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 6: Cover and simmer on low heat for 2 hours, then add 1 lb diced potatoes and continue cooking for 45 minutes until potatoes are tender and beef is fork-tender.
- Step 7: Remove bay leaves, stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley, and adjust seasoning. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to deepen.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does History-Infused Beef Stew with Smoked Paprika take to make?
Total time is about 260 minutes (25 min prep + 235 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 History-Infused Beef Stew with Smoked Paprika?
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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in History-Infused Beef Stew with Smoked Paprika?
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 History-Infused Beef Stew with Smoked Paprika 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 History-Infused Beef Stew with Smoked Paprika?
French 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
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 235-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.