Smith's Hearty Root Vegetable Stew

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

A comforting one-pot stew featuring tender beef, seasonal root vegetables, and aromatic herbs simmered to perfection for a nourishing family meal. This american-inspired soups ready in about 175 minutes pairs beef chuck, medium carrots, medium potatoes 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Trim excess fat from beef chuck and cut into 1-inch cubes. Pat dry with paper towels. In a large Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add beef in a single layer and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until browned, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle 2 tbsp flour over vegetables and stir for 1 minute to cook off raw flour taste. Gradually pour in 4 cups beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps.
  4. Step 4: Return beef to the pot. Add thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 2 hours until beef is fork-tender.
  5. Step 5: Add diced potatoes and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes until potatoes are tender. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Smith's Hearty Root Vegetable Stew take to make?

Total time is about 175 minutes (25 min prep + 150 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 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 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 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 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.

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