One-Pot Hearty Beef and Vegetable Stew
A comforting, full-flavored stew with tender beef, carrots, potatoes, and celery in a rich broth, all cooked in one pot for effortless weeknight dining. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 85 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes stew beef, all-purpose flour, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes stew beef
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds carrots
- 2, sliced celery stalks
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup diced potatoes
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1 lb stew beef cubes dry with paper towels, then season evenly with 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering and a light haze forms.
- Step 3: Add seasoned beef in a single layer without crowding, searing for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned on all sides.
- Step 4: Remove beef and set aside. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery to the pot, cooking for 5 minutes while stirring occasionally until softened and fragrant.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 cups beef broth, 1 cup diced potatoes, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 bay leaf, then return beef to the pot.
- Step 6: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 1 hour, until beef is fork-tender and potatoes are cooked through.
- Step 7: Stir in 1 cup frozen peas and cook for 5 more minutes until peas are bright green and heated through.
- Step 8: Discard bay leaf and serve hot, garnished with fresh thyme if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Hearty Beef and Vegetable Stew take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (20 min prep + 65 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 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 all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Hearty Beef and 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 Vegetable Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Vegetable Stew?
American one pot 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 65-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.