Johnson's Hearty Beef Stew
A slow-simmered stew with tender beef, root vegetables, and a rich tomato base, perfect for a cozy family dinner. This american-inspired beef ready in about 130 minutes pairs stew beef, all-purpose flour, olive oil 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
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2, peeled and diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup (canned, undrained) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 medium, peeled and diced potatoes
- 1 cup frozen peas
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs stew beef cubes dry with paper towels, then coat evenly in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, shaking off excess.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering; add beef in a single layer (cook in batches) and sear 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned, avoiding stirring to form a crust.
- Step 3: Remove beef and set aside; add 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks to the pot, cooking 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 4: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 5: Return beef to pot, then pour in 2 cups beef broth and 1 cup diced tomatoes (undrained), stirring in 1 tsp dried thyme and 1 bay leaf.
- Step 6: Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 1.5 hours, skimming foam occasionally.
- Step 7: Add 2 cups diced potatoes and simmer uncovered 25 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Step 8: Stir in 1 cup frozen peas and cook 5 minutes until heated through; season with salt and pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Johnson's Hearty Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 130 minutes (20 min prep + 110 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 Johnson's Hearty 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 stew beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Johnson's Hearty 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 Johnson's Hearty 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 Johnson's Hearty Beef Stew?
American 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
