The Best Hearty Beef Stew
A slow-simmered stew with tender beef, root vegetables, and rich broth, delivering the best comfort food experience. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 145 minutes pairs tablespoons all-purpose flour, tablespoons olive oil, medium, cubed 1/2-inch potatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 pounds, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 medium, peeled and sliced 1/2-inch thick carrots
- 3 medium, cubed 1/2-inch potatoes
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat beef cubes dry with paper towels, then toss with 3 tablespoons flour until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear beef in batches until deeply browned on all sides, about 4 minutes per batch, then set aside.
- Step 3: Add onion and celery to the pot, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened, then stir in carrots and potatoes.
- Step 4: Return beef to pot, add beef broth, diced tomatoes, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are tender.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Hearty Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 145 minutes (25 min prep + 120 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 The Best Hearty 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 tablespoons all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Hearty 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 The Best Hearty 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 The Best Hearty Beef Stew?
American 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
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 120-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
