Slow-Simmered Beef Stew with Carrots, Potatoes, and Thyme
A deeply comforting stew with fall-apart beef, sweet root vegetables, and aromatic thyme, simmered to perfection in a slow cooker. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 510 minutes pairs Beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, medium Carrots, peeled and sliced, Onion, 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 medium Carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 medium Potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 4 cups Beef broth
- 1 tsp Thyme, fresh
- 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes with 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until browned, then transfer to a slow cooker.
- Step 3: Add 1 chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 medium peeled and sliced carrots, and 2 medium peeled and cubed potatoes to the slow cooker.
- Step 4: Pour 4 cups beef broth into the slow cooker and stir in 1 tsp fresh thyme.
- Step 5: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender and vegetables are fully cooked.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Beef Stew with Carrots, Potatoes, and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 510 minutes (30 min prep + 480 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 Stew with Carrots, Potatoes, and Thyme?
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 onion, chopped from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Beef Stew with Carrots, Potatoes, and Thyme?
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 Stew with Carrots, Potatoes, and Thyme 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 Stew with Carrots, Potatoes, and Thyme?
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
- ★★★★★
This stew is the best I've ever had. The carrots and potatoes were just right.
- ★★★★★
A classic recipe done right. I'll make this again for sure.
- ★★★★★
Easy to make in the slow cooker, and it smelled amazing all day.
