Spiced Mountain Man Beef Stew with Root Vegetables

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-06 · Updated 2026-08-06

A hearty beef stew inspired by rugged mountain flavors, slow-cooked with aromatic spices and tender root vegetables to warm you through. This beef recipe, ready in about 140 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cubed, carrots, peeled and sliced, parsnips, peeled and sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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 beef chuck, cubed
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 medium parsnips, peeled and sliced
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 pounds cubed beef chuck and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes until a deep crust forms.
2. Step 2: Add 1 large diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, cooking for 2 minutes to deepen flavors.
4. Step 4: Pour in 4 cups beef broth and add 1 bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 1.5 hours until beef is tender.
5. Step 5: Add 2 sliced carrots and 2 sliced parsnips, simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes until vegetables are soft and stew thickens slightly.
6. Step 6: Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning as needed, and serve hot with rustic bread.