Smith's Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable Stew
A rich, slow-simmered stew featuring tender beef, carrots, and parsnips in a savory broth, inspired by the enduring legacy of the Smith surname. This american-inspired soups ready in about 110 minutes pairs beef chuck, large carrots, large parsnips 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
- 1.5 lbs beef chuck
- 4 large carrots
- 3 large parsnips
- 1 large onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 6 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Sauté 1 large chopped onion and 4 minced garlic cloves in the same pot until translucent, 3-4 minutes. Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and stir for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Return the beef to the pot. Add 6 cups beef broth, 4 large diced carrots, 3 large diced parsnips, 1 tbsp thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 1.5 hours until meat is tender.
- Step 4: Adjust seasoning and serve hot, garnished with fresh thyme.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smith's Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable Stew take to make?
Total time is about 110 minutes (20 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 Hearty 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 Smith's Hearty 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 Smith's Hearty 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 Smith's Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable Stew?
American soups 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
- ★★★★★
Perfect soups recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
