Serious Slow-Cooked Beef Stew

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

A rich, hearty stew simmered for hours to achieve depth of flavor and tender meat. This french-inspired asian ready in about 180 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, carrots, 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 French cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2.5 lbs beef chuck roast and sear for 5-7 minutes per side until browned, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 3 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 2 diced onions. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened, then stir in 4 cloves minced garlic until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, then pour in 1 cup red wine to deglaze, scraping up browned bits. Add 4 cups beef broth, 1 tsp thyme, 2 bay leaves, and 3 cubed potatoes.
  4. Step 4: Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender and potatoes are softened. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Serious Slow-Cooked Beef Stew take to make?

Total time is about 180 minutes (30 min prep + 150 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 Slow-Cooked Beef 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 Slow-Cooked Beef 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 Slow-Cooked Beef 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 Serious Slow-Cooked Beef Stew?

French asian 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.

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