Slow Cooker Hearty Beef & Root Vegetable Stew
A deeply flavorful stew with fall-apart tender beef and earthy root vegetables simmered in a rich broth, perfect for cozy weeknights. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 380 minutes pairs beef chuck, olive oil, large yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 1.5 lbs beef chuck
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion
- 2 carrots
- 2 stalks celery
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup potatoes
- 1 cup parsnips
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the beef chuck cubes with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Sear in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until browned, then transfer to the slow cooker.
- Step 2: Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then pour into slow cooker.
- Step 3: Add 4 cups beef broth, 1 cup diced potatoes, 1 cup diced parsnips, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, and remaining salt and pepper to slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are tender.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaf and stir in 1 cup frozen peas. Cook for 15 minutes more until peas are heated through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Hearty Beef & Root Vegetable Stew take to make?
Total time is about 380 minutes (20 min prep + 360 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 Cooker Hearty Beef & Root 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 beef chuck from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Hearty Beef & Root 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 Cooker Hearty Beef & Root Vegetable 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 Cooker Hearty Beef & Root 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
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
