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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
