Midwestern Comfort Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Root Vegetables
A hearty slow-cooked beef stew featuring tender chunks of beef and a mix of root vegetables simmered in a rich, savory broth perfect for cozy days. This American-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 265 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, salt, black pepper 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 1.5-inch cubes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 2 lbs beef chuck cubes with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef cubes in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until a crust forms. Transfer browned beef to slow cooker.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, sauté 1 large chopped onion, 3 sliced carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks for 5 minutes until softened. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Transfer vegetables to slow cooker along with 3 peeled and cubed potatoes, 4 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 bay leaf.
- Step 5: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Step 6: Stir in 1 cup frozen peas and cook on high for an additional 10 minutes.
- Step 7: Remove bay leaf, sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and serve warm with crusty bread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Midwestern Comfort Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 265 minutes (25 min prep + 240 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 Midwestern Comfort Slow Cooker 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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Midwestern Comfort Slow Cooker 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 Midwestern Comfort Slow Cooker 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 Midwestern Comfort Slow Cooker 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.
