Northern-Style Braised Beef with Root Vegetables

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty braised beef stew inspired by northern cooking traditions, featuring tender beef chunks slow-cooked with carrots, parsnips, and herbs. This american-inspired beef ready in about 170 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, large yellow onion, diced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 150 min Serves 6 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes seasoned with 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Brown the meat on all sides for 6-8 minutes until deeply caramelized, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion and sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant and the tomato paste darkens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Return the browned beef to the pot along with 3 cups beef broth, 3 peeled and chopped carrots, 2 peeled and chopped parsnips, 4 sprigs fresh thyme, and 2 bay leaves.
  5. Step 5: Bring the mixture 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 soft.
  6. Step 6: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Serve hot with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Northern-Style Braised Beef 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 Northern-Style Braised Beef 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 large yellow onion, diced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Northern-Style Braised Beef 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 Northern-Style Braised Beef 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 Northern-Style Braised Beef 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.

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