Oz-Inspired Rainbow Stew

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-27 · Updated 2026-03-27

A vibrant, slow-cooked stew layered with rainbow-colored vegetables and tender beef, inspired by the Land of Oz's magical hues. This american-inspired slow cooker (vegetarian-friendly) ready in about 270 minutes pairs beef chuck, julienned carrots, diced red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 lbs beef chuck
• 4 cups, julienned carrots
• 2 cups, diced red bell pepper
• 1 large, diced yellow onion
• 2 cups, sliced celery
• 3 cups, cubed potatoes
• 6 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef chuck and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until browned, then remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, sauté onions, garlic, and celery for 5 minutes until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
3. Step 3: Return beef to the pot, add carrots, red bell pepper, potatoes, broth, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then transfer to a slow cooker.
4. Step 4: Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 7-8 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are softened. Stir in 1/4 cup water if needed for desired consistency.