Savory Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Root Vegetables
A hearty, comforting beef stew simmered slowly with carrots, potatoes, and aromatic herbs for a rich and satisfying meal. This general-inspired beef ready in about 140 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 lbs beef chuck cubes and toss them with 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the floured beef in batches and brown on all sides for about 4 minutes per batch, then transfer browned beef to a plate.
- Step 3: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion and sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until translucent. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until deepened in color. Return the beef to the pot.
- Step 5: Pour in 4 cups beef broth and 1 cup water, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Add 3 fresh thyme sprigs and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1 hour.
- Step 6: Add 3 sliced medium carrots and 2 diced medium russet potatoes to the pot. Cover and continue to simmer for another 45 minutes to 1 hour until the beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Step 7: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Adjust seasoning with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper if needed. Serve hot with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Savory Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Root Vegetables 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 Savory Slow-Cooked Beef Stew 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 Savory Slow-Cooked Beef Stew 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 Savory Slow-Cooked Beef Stew 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 Savory Slow-Cooked Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?
General 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.
