One-Pot Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable Stew
A comforting stew featuring tender beef chunks and a medley of root vegetables simmered in a rich, savory broth. This french-inspired beef ready in about 140 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, olive oil, large, diced yellow onion 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 3 medium, peeled and chopped carrots
- 2 medium, peeled and chopped parsnips
- 2, chopped celery stalks
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Toss 1.5 lb beef chuck cubes with 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, shaking off excess. Add beef to the pot and sear in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until browned on all sides. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion, 3 chopped carrots, 2 chopped parsnips, and 2 chopped celery stalks. Cook over medium heat for 6-7 minutes until vegetables soften and onions become translucent.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste to the vegetables, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in 4 cups beef broth, add 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir well and bring to a boil.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is tender and stew thickens.
- Step 6: If stew needs thickening, mix 1/4 cup water with an additional 1 tbsp flour until smooth, stir into stew, and cook uncovered for 5 more minutes until thickened. Remove bay leaf before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable Stew take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 One-Pot Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable 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 One-Pot Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable 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 One-Pot Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable 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 One-Pot Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable Stew?
French 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.
