Slow-Cooked 'Old-Fashioned' Beef Stew
A deeply flavorful stew simmered for hours with tender beef, root vegetables, and a rich tomato-based broth, embodying the essence of slow-cooked tradition. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 175 minutes pairs cubed Chuck roast, Beef broth, medium peeled and sliced Carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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 cubed Chuck roast
- 4 cups Beef broth
- 3 medium peeled and sliced Carrots
- 1 large chopped Onion
- 3 tbsp Rounded tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Bay leaves
- 3 Thyme sprigs
- 2 cups cubed Potatoes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear 2 lbs cubed chuck roast in batches until browned on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 large chopped onion to the pot and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in 3 tbsp rounded tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until darkened. Add 4 cups beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 bay leaves, and 3 thyme sprigs. Return beef to the pot.
- Step 3: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low for 2.5 hours until beef is fork-tender. Add 3 medium peeled and sliced carrots and 2 cups cubed potatoes, then simmer uncovered for 30 more minutes until vegetables are tender.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked 'Old-Fashioned' Beef Stew 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-Cooked 'Old-Fashioned' Beef 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 chuck roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked 'Old-Fashioned' Beef 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 'Old-Fashioned' Beef Stew 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 'Old-Fashioned' Beef 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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
