Rustic Old-World Stew
A hearty, slow-cooked stew with root vegetables and tender meat, inspired by ancient cooking traditions. This french-inspired soups ready in about 140 minutes pairs cubed beef chuck, medium, peeled and diced carrots, stalks, diced celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 2.5 lbs, cubed beef chuck
- 3 medium, peeled and diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 2, diced onions
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp, dried thyme
- 1 cup red wine
- 4 cups beef broth
- 3 medium, peeled and cubed potatoes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown 2.5 lbs beef cubes in batches, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Sauté 2 onions, 2 celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves for 5 minutes until softened. Add 3 diced carrots, 2 bay leaves, and 1 tsp thyme; cook for 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Deglaze the pot with 1 cup red wine, scraping up browned bits. Return beef to the pot, add 4 cups beef broth, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 1.5 hours until meat is tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 cubed potatoes and cook for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then serve with crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rustic Old-World 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 Rustic Old-World 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 cubed beef chuck from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Old-World 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 Rustic Old-World 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 Rustic Old-World Stew?
French soups 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
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
