Slow-Braised Beef with Root Vegetable Medley
Fall-off-the-bone beef braised with earthy root vegetables and aromatic herbs, creating a deeply comforting dish. This french-inspired slow cooker ready in about 175 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, medium carrots, medium parsnips for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 582 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
- 3 medium carrots
- 2 medium parsnips
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1 large yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat beef chuck roast dry with paper towels and season generously with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on all sides.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the beef for 3 minutes per side until deeply browned, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: Dice 1 large yellow onion and mince 3 garlic cloves. Add to the pot and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 3 medium carrots (peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces), 2 medium parsnips (peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces), and 2 medium potatoes (cut into 1-inch cubes) to the pot, stirring to coat with oil.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over vegetables and stir for 1 minute until golden. Pour in 2 cups beef broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Step 6: Return the seared beef to the pot, nestling it among the vegetables. Add 1 tbsp fresh thyme and 1 tsp fresh rosemary.
- Step 7: Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2.5 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
- Step 8: Remove beef and vegetables from the pot. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids.
- Step 9: Return the strained liquid to the pot and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to reduce and thicken slightly.
- Step 10: Slice the beef against the grain and serve with the vegetables and reduced sauce poured over top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Beef with Root Vegetable Medley take to make?
Total time is about 175 minutes (25 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 Slow-Braised Beef with Root Vegetable Medley?
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 Slow-Braised Beef with Root Vegetable Medley?
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 with Root Vegetable Medley 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 Slow-Braised Beef with Root Vegetable Medley?
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
- ★★★★★
My non-Euro friends were blown away by how rich and complex it tasted.
- ★★★★★
The garlic and thyme infused beautifully. Served with mashed potatoes—chef's kiss!
- ★★★★★
A game-changer for weeknight meals. Just dump it in the slow cooker and forget about it.
Equipment for this recipe
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