Smith's Hearty Beef Stew
A deeply flavorful stew with tender beef, root vegetables, and aromatic herbs simmered to perfection in a rich broth. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 150 minutes pairs beef chuck, medium carrots, stalks celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 2 medium carrots
- 2 stalks celery
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 medium potatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes and sear for 4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced onion and 2 diced celery stalks to the pot, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then stir in 4 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves, and the seared beef. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
- Step 4: After 1 hour, add 2 medium peeled and cubed potatoes and 2 medium diced carrots. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes until vegetables are fork-tender.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaves. Whisk 2 tbsp flour with 2 tbsp cold water until smooth, then stir into the stew. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smith's Hearty Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 150 minutes (25 min prep + 125 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 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 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 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 Stew?
American one pot 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
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
