Slow-Braised Beef Stew with Root Vegetables
Tender chunks of beef simmered slowly with carrots, potatoes, and onions in a rich, savory broth perfect for a comforting meal. This general-inspired beef ready in about 155 minutes pairs medium yellow potatoes, quartered, 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 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 medium yellow potatoes, quartered
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds beef chuck cubes in batches, searing each side for 3-4 minutes until deeply browned; remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until it darkens slightly.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen browned bits, and simmer for 3 minutes until reduced by half.
- Step 5: Return the browned beef to the pot along with 4 cups beef broth, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Step 6: Add 3 peeled and chopped carrots and 4 quartered yellow potatoes to the stew, stirring gently. Cover and continue to simmer for another 45 minutes until vegetables and beef are fork-tender.
- Step 7: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaf, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Beef Stew with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 155 minutes (20 min prep + 135 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 Slow-Braised 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 Slow-Braised 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 Slow-Braised 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 Slow-Braised 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.
