Johnson's Hearty Beef Stew with Root Vegetables
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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast
- 2 medium, peeled and diced carrots
- 1 medium, peeled and diced parsnips
- 2 medium, peeled and diced potatoes
- 1, finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
The flavors in this johnson's are incredible.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.