Slow-Cooked Beef with Tomato and Spices

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-02 · Updated 2026-08-02

Rich and tender beef slowly braised in a fragrant tomato and spice sauce, perfect for serving with rice or warm tortillas. This Latin American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 200 minutes, pairs beef chuck roast, olive oil, medium onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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, cut into 2-inch cubes beef chuck roast
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1, sliced medium onion
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes in batches, browning on all sides for 3-4 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 sliced medium onion and 4 minced garlic cloves; sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups beef broth, 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 bay leaf, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Return browned beef to the pot, submerging in the sauce.
4. Step 4: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook gently for 2.5 to 3 hours until beef is fork-tender and sauce thickens.
5. Step 5: Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve the beef stew with steamed rice or warm corn tortillas for a hearty Salvadoran-inspired meal.