Spiced Dakota Rail Regional Trail Beef Stew
Hearty beef stew enriched with a blend of regional spices and root vegetables, perfect for fueling up after a long trail hike. This american-inspired beef ready in about 125 minutes pairs beef chuck, cubed, olive oil, large, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 lbs beef chuck, cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 3 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds carrots
- 2, chopped celery stalks
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 large, peeled and cubed potatoes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed beef chuck and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion, 3 sliced carrots, and 2 chopped celery stalks; sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 tsp smoked paprika; cook stirring for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 4: Return the beef to the pot, pour in 4 cups beef broth, add 2 bay leaves, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
- Step 5: After 1 hour, add 2 peeled and cubed large potatoes, cover again and cook for another 45 minutes until the beef is tender and potatoes are soft. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Dakota Rail Regional Trail 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 Spiced Dakota Rail Regional Trail 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, cubed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Dakota Rail Regional Trail 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 Spiced Dakota Rail Regional Trail 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 Spiced Dakota Rail Regional Trail Beef Stew?
American beef 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.
