Michigan Craft Beer-Braised Beef Stew with Root Vegetables
Tender beef slow-cooked in a robust Michigan craft beer broth with hearty root vegetables, perfect for comforting dinners. This american-inspired beef ready in about 170 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, beef broth, large yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 1 bottle (12 oz) Michigan craft beer (amber ale preferred)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add 3 tbsp olive oil. Toss 2 lbs beef chuck cubes in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour seasoned with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Brown the beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deep golden, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen flavor. Pour in 1 bottle (12 oz) Michigan craft beer and scrape up browned bits from the bottom.
- Step 4: Return the browned beef to the pot along with 2 cups beef broth, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf, 3 peeled and chopped carrots, and 2 peeled and chopped parsnips. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 2 to 2.5 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are cooked through. Adjust seasoning with remaining salt and pepper before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Michigan Craft Beer-Braised Beef Stew with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 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 Michigan Craft Beer-Braised 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 beef broth from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Michigan Craft Beer-Braised 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 Michigan Craft Beer-Braised 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 Michigan Craft Beer-Braised Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?
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.
