Johnson's Hearty Beef Stew with Root Vegetables

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting, slow-simmered beef stew featuring tender beef, earthy root vegetables, and a rich tomato-based broth. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 120 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast, medium, peeled and diced carrots, medium, peeled and diced parsnips for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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.

★ 3.9 (15 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 90 min Serves 6 American cuisine 410 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat beef cubes dry with paper towels, then season evenly with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Add beef in a single layer, searing for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned; work in batches to avoid crowding. Remove beef and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add chopped onion and garlic to the pot, cooking for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until darkened.
  4. Step 4: Return beef to the pot, add carrots, parsnips, potatoes, beef broth, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 hours until beef is fork-tender.
  5. Step 5: Remove bay leaf. For thicker sauce, mix flour with 2 tbsp cold water, then stir into stew and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes until sauce coats the back of a spoon.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Johnson's Hearty Beef Stew with Root Vegetables 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 Johnson's Hearty Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?

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 finely chopped onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Johnson's Hearty Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?

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 with Root Vegetables 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 with Root Vegetables?

American 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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