Savory Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Root Vegetables

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting slow cooker stew featuring tender beef chunks simmered with carrots, potatoes, and onions in a rich herb-infused broth. This french-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, carrots, russet potatoes 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.

★ 4.3 (11 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 French cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck roast cubes seasoned with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, sear until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer beef to slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant, then transfer to slow cooker.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 chopped carrots, 3 diced russet potatoes, 4 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme, and 2 whole bay leaves into the slow cooker with the beef and vegetables. Stir gently to combine.
  4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Savory Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Root Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Cooker 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 beef chuck roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Savory Slow Cooker 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 Cooker 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 Cooker Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?

French slow cooker 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

Related recipes