Slow-Cooked Beef and Vegetable Stew
Hearty stew with grass-fed beef and seasonal vegetables, slow-cooked for tenderness to support sustained energy and reduce bloating. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 505 minutes pairs cubed beef chuck, avocado oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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, cubed beef chuck
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3, minced garlic clove
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups, diced zucchini
- 1 cup canned tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high; sear beef cubes in batches until browned (3-4 minutes per batch), then transfer to slow cooker.
- Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp avocado oil to skillet, sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic for 5 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Step 3: Add sautéed vegetables, beef broth, zucchini, tomatoes, thyme, salt, and pepper to slow cooker; stir to combine.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are tender but intact.
- Step 5: Stir in fresh parsley before serving; the stew should have a thick, rich consistency that clings to the spoon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef and Vegetable Stew take to make?
Total time is about 505 minutes (25 min prep + 480 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-Cooked Beef and Vegetable 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 cubed beef chuck from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef and Vegetable 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 Slow-Cooked Beef and Vegetable 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 Slow-Cooked Beef and Vegetable Stew?
American 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
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 480-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.