Southern-Spiced Beef Stew
A deeply savory stew featuring tender beef and root vegetables simmered with warm smoked paprika and thyme for a comforting, aromatic meal. This irish-inspired one pot ready in about 125 minutes pairs pounds stewing beef, tablespoons 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 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
- 2 pounds stewing beef
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2, peeled and diced carrots
- 2, peeled and diced parsnips
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2, peeled and diced potatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds diced stewing beef and sear for 5 minutes until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pot, then add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced parsnips, and 2 diced celery stalks. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and 1 bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Return the seared beef to the pot, then add 4 cups beef broth and 1 tablespoon tomato paste. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour.
- Step 5: Add 2 diced potatoes, season with salt and pepper to taste, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes until potatoes are tender and flavors meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Southern-Spiced Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 125 minutes (20 min prep + 105 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 Southern-Spiced 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 pounds stewing beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Southern-Spiced 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 Southern-Spiced 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 Southern-Spiced Beef Stew?
Irish 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
- ★★★★★
The southern spices gave it such a wonderful depth. Served with mashed potatoes and it was perfect.
- ★★★★★
This stew was absolutely delicious! My family loved it, and it was so easy to make in one pot.
- ★★★★☆
Tasted great, but the spices were a bit too strong for my taste. Next time I'll reduce the amount.
