Marlborough-Inspired Hearty Beef Stew
A rich and comforting beef stew using regional ingredients with tender chunks of beef, root vegetables, and a savory herb-infused broth. This american-inspired beef ready in about 150 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, medium carrots, peeled and chopped, celery stalks, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 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 beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 2 lbs beef chuck cubes with 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches and brown on all sides for about 4 minutes per batch, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 3 chopped carrots, and 2 chopped celery stalks to the pot. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until it darkens slightly.
- Step 5: Return beef to the pot along with 4 cups beef broth, 3 fresh thyme sprigs, 2 bay leaves, remaining 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 2 hours until beef is tender.
- Step 6: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves before serving the stew warm with crusty bread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Marlborough-Inspired Hearty Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 150 minutes (20 min prep + 130 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 Marlborough-Inspired 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 celery stalks, chopped from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Marlborough-Inspired 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 Marlborough-Inspired 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 Marlborough-Inspired 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.
