Slow Cooker Southeast Michigan Beef Stew with Root Vegetables
Hearty beef stew infused with aromatic herbs and seasonal root vegetables, slow-cooked to tender perfection for a comforting meal. This american-inspired beef ready in about 265 minutes pairs chuck beef, cut into 1-inch cubes, medium carrots, peeled and chopped, medium parsnips, peeled and chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 chuck beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 medium parsnips, peeled and chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 2 lbs chuck beef cubes with 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a large bowl until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the floured beef cubes in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned. Transfer browned beef to slow cooker.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 sliced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves; sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to caramelize. Pour in 1 cup red wine, scraping the browned bits from the pan, and simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
- Step 5: Transfer the wine mixture to the slow cooker. Add 4 cups beef broth, 3 chopped carrots, 2 chopped parsnips, 2 bay leaves, 3 thyme sprigs, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper.
- Step 6: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are soft.
- Step 7: Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs before serving. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Southeast Michigan Beef Stew with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 265 minutes (25 min prep + 240 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 Southeast Michigan Beef Stew with 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 large yellow onion, diced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Southeast Michigan Beef Stew with 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 Cooker Southeast Michigan Beef Stew with 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 Cooker Southeast Michigan Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?
American beef 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.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
