Jones' Hearty Beef Stew

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

A rich, slow-simmered stew with fall-apart beef, potatoes, and carrots in a savory herb-infused broth. This american-inspired beef ready in about 110 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck, olive oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 20 min Cook: 90 min Serves 6 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear beef in batches for 3 minutes per side until deeply browned, transferring to a plate.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 diced onion to the pot and cook for 3 minutes until translucent. Stir in 3 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes until vegetables are coated and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Return beef to the pot. Add 4 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low.
  4. Step 4: Cover and simmer for 1 hour, then add 3 diced potatoes. Continue simmering, covered, for 45 minutes until beef is fork-tender and potatoes are soft.
  5. Step 5: Discard bay leaves and adjust seasoning. Let stew rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Jones' Hearty Beef Stew take to make?

Total time is about 110 minutes (20 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 Jones' 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Jones' 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 Jones' 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 Jones' 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.

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