Serious Beef and Mushroom Stew
A rich, hearty stew simmered to perfection, combining deep flavors and comforting textures for a serious meal. This french-inspired soups ready in about 120 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, shiitake mushrooms, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 1.5 lbs beef chuck roast
- 8 oz shiitake mushrooms
- 1 medium onion
- 2 medium carrot
- 2 stalks celery
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1 tsp thyme
- 2 leaves bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Dice onion, carrot, celery, and mushrooms. Mince garlic. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until browned, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, sauté onions, carrots, celery, and garlic for 5 minutes until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until darkened.
- Step 3: Return beef to the pot. Add red wine, beef broth, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender.
- Step 4: Add mushrooms and cook for 15 minutes until softened. Adjust seasoning and serve with crusty bread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Serious Beef and Mushroom Stew take to make?
Total time is about 120 minutes (30 min prep + 90 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 Serious Beef and Mushroom 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 beef chuck roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Serious Beef and Mushroom 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 Serious Beef and Mushroom 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 Serious Beef and Mushroom 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.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
