Smith's Signature Beef Stew

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

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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Step 3: Add minced garlic and tomato paste, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Step 6: Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

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.

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