Slow-Simmered Beef and Root Vegetable Stew
A deeply flavorful stew that simmers for hours, melding the rich taste of beef with earthy root vegetables and aromatic herbs for a soul-satisfying meal. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 535 minutes pairs beef chuck, olive oil, large, diced onion 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 beef chuck
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3, peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick carrots
- 3, peeled and diced 1/2 inch potatoes
- 3, peeled and sliced 1/2 inch parsnips
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat beef cubes dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear beef in batches until browned on all sides, about 4 minutes per batch, then set aside.
- Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the pot. Sauté diced onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute.
- Step 3: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 5 minutes until wine reduces by half.
- Step 4: Return seared beef to pot, add beef broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and transfer to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours.
- Step 5: 30 minutes before serving, add carrots, potatoes, and parsnips to the slow cooker. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
- Step 6: Remove bay leaf. Mix cornstarch with 2 tbsp water, then stir into stew. Cook on high for 5 minutes until thickened to a gravy consistency.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Beef and Root Vegetable Stew take to make?
Total time is about 535 minutes (25 min prep + 510 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-Simmered Beef and 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-Simmered Beef and 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-Simmered Beef and 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-Simmered Beef and 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
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
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