Smith's Comfort Beef Stew

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty, slow-cooked beef stew infused with earthy mushrooms and aromatic herbs, perfect for chilly evenings. This american-inspired beef ready in about 120 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, (button or cremini, sliced) mushrooms, medium (diced) onion 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 90 min Serves 6 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs beef chuck roast, season with salt and pepper, and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 medium onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Sauté for 5 minutes until fragrant and onions are translucent.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 medium carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, and 12 oz sliced mushrooms. Cook for 3-4 minutes until vegetables soften slightly.
  4. Step 4: Return beef to the pot. Add 4 cups beef broth, 1/2 cup red wine, 1 tsp thyme, 2 bay leaves, and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 1.5 hours until beef is tender.
  5. Step 5: Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Serve with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Smith's Comfort Beef Stew take to make?

Total time is about 120 minutes (30 min prep + 90 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's Comfort Beef 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 roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Smith's Comfort Beef 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's Comfort Beef 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's Comfort Beef Stew?

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.

What others are saying

Related recipes