Slow-Braised Beef with Aromatic Spices and Root Vegetables

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-05 · Updated 2026-08-05

Tender beef slowly braised with warm spices and hearty root vegetables, creating a rich and comforting stew perfect for cozy dinners. This Mediterranean-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 170 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, 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 420 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 1.5-inch cubes
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 2 medium parsnips, peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 cups beef broth
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 bay leaf
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and add 3 tbsp olive oil. Once shimmering, add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes, searing for 3-4 minutes per side until well browned on all sides; transfer beef to a plate.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 tsp ground cumin, cooking for 1 minute until the tomato paste darkens and spices release aroma.
4. Step 4: Return the seared beef to the pot along with 3 chopped carrots and 2 chopped parsnips, then pour in 3 cups beef broth. Add 1 bay leaf, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
5. Step 5: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook gently for 2.5 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables soften.
6. Step 6: Remove the bay leaf, adjust seasoning if needed, and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.