Smith Family Harvest Stew
A hearty, slow-cooked stew with root vegetables, herbs, and tender chunks of meat, perfect for a comforting meal on a chilly day. This american-inspired vegan ready in about 90 minutes pairs vegetable oil, large, diced onion, medium, peeled and sliced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3 medium, peeled and sliced carrots
- 2 large, peeled and cubed potatoes
- 2 stalks, sliced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 500g ground beef
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion, 3 sliced carrots, 2 cubed potatoes, and 2 sliced celery stalks. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups beef broth and add 500g ground beef. Break the meat apart with a spoon and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and nearly cooked through.
- Step 4: Add 1 tsp thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and cook for 10 minutes until the stew thickens and the meat is tender. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smith Family Harvest Stew take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (20 min prep + 70 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 Smith Family Harvest 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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smith Family Harvest 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 Smith Family Harvest 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 Smith Family Harvest Stew?
American vegan 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
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order american delivery again.
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 70-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
