Slow-Cooked Beef Cheek Stew with Red Wine and Root Vegetables
Rich, tender beef cheeks slowly braised in red wine with hearty root vegetables for a comforting Australian-style stew. This australian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 205 minutes pairs beef cheeks, all-purpose flour, salt 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 cheeks
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 large brown onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups dry red wine
- 2 cups beef stock
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 1 large parsnip, peeled and chopped
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. In a shallow bowl, mix 1/4 cup all-purpose flour with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Dredge 2 lbs beef cheeks in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Brown beef cheeks on all sides, about 3 minutes per side, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, and 1 large chopped onion to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute. Pour in 1 1/2 cups dry red wine, scraping the bottom to deglaze, and simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Step 5: Return beef cheeks to the pot. Add 2 cups beef stock, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 3 thyme sprigs, and 2 rosemary sprigs. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 6: Cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Cook for 2 hours.
- Step 7: After 2 hours, add 1 large peeled and chopped parsnip and 1 lb halved baby potatoes. Cover and continue cooking for another 1 hour until meat is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
- Step 8: Remove herb sprigs. Serve the stew hot with crusty bread or mashed potatoes for a hearty Australian dinner.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Cheek Stew with Red Wine and Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 205 minutes (25 min prep + 180 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 Cheek Stew with Red Wine and 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 beef cheeks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Cheek Stew with Red Wine and 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-Cooked Beef Cheek Stew with Red Wine and 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-Cooked Beef Cheek Stew with Red Wine and Root Vegetables?
Australian 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.
