Smith's Simple Beef Stew
A hearty, slow-cooked stew with tender beef and vegetables. Comfort food at its finest. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs stew beef, olive oil, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 stew beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion
- 3 carrots
- 2 stalks celery
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups beef broth
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 potato
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs stew beef, cut into 1-inch cubes, and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides; remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large diced onion, 3 sliced carrots, 2 sliced celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in 1.5 cups beef broth and 1 cup diced tomatoes, then bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker, add the browned stew beef, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, and 1 cubed potato. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 5: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Step 6: Discard the bay leaf, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and serve.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smith's Simple Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 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 Simple 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 stew beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smith's Simple 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 Simple 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 Simple 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
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 480-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
