Smith's Hearty Slow-Cooked Beef Stew

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

A comforting one-pot stew featuring tender beef and root vegetables. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 510 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, carrots, potatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

★ 4.4 (11 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the beef chuck roast dry with paper towels, then season evenly with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large slow cooker insert over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until deeply browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side, then transfer to a plate.
  3. Step 3: Dice the onion, celery, and 3 carrots into 1/2-inch pieces. Add to the slow cooker insert and cook for 2 minutes until softened.
  4. Step 4: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1 minute until golden.
  5. Step 5: Add 4 cups beef broth, 1 can diced tomatoes, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon dried thyme to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
  6. Step 6: Return the seared beef to the slow cooker, then add 3 large diced potatoes and the remaining carrots. Stir to submerge ingredients.
  7. Step 7: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and vegetables are cooked through.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Smith's Hearty Slow-Cooked Beef Stew take to make?

Total time is about 510 minutes (30 min prep + 480 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 Slow-Cooked 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 roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Smith's Hearty Slow-Cooked 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 Slow-Cooked 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 Slow-Cooked Beef 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

Related recipes