Smith's Heritage Beef & Root Vegetable Stew
A hearty, slow-simmered stew inspired by the most common U.S. surname, featuring tender beef and seasonal root vegetables in a rich tomato-herb broth. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 145 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, medium carrots, medium parsnips 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 roast
- 3 medium carrots
- 2 medium parsnips
- 1 large onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut beef chuck into 1-inch cubes and pat dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear beef in batches until deeply browned on all sides, about 4 minutes per batch, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add remaining olive oil to the pot, then sauté diced onion and minced garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until it darkens slightly, then sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir constantly for 1 minute to form a paste.
- Step 5: Return beef to the pot, add broth, thyme, and rosemary. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low.
- Step 6: Simmer uncovered for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is fork-tender and flavors meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smith's Heritage Beef & Root Vegetable Stew take to make?
Total time is about 145 minutes (25 min prep + 120 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 Heritage Beef & 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 roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smith's Heritage Beef & 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 Heritage Beef & 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 Heritage Beef & Root Vegetable Stew?
American slow cooker 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
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to slow cooker dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
