Smith's Signature Beef Stew
A deeply comforting, slow-simmered stew featuring tender beef, caramelized root vegetables, and aromatic herbs in a rich, velvety broth. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 140 minutes pairs beef chuck, olive oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2, peeled and diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup, diced potatoes
- 1 cup, diced parsnips
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat beef chuck cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef in a single layer (work in batches) and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the pot. Sauté diced onion, carrots, and celery over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until softened and onions are translucent.
- Step 3: Add minced garlic and tomato paste, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 4: Return seared beef to pot, pour in beef broth, add thyme and bay leaf, and nestle in diced potatoes and parsnips. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1 hour and 30 minutes until beef is fork-tender.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaf, stir in frozen peas, and if stew is too thin, mix 2 tbsp flour with 2 tbsp cold water to form a slurry, then stir into stew and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 6: Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smith's Signature Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (20 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 Signature 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 Signature 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 Signature Beef Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Signature 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
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to one pot dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 120-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
