The Best Slow-Simmered Beef Stew

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fall-off-the-bone tender beef in a rich, aromatic broth with root vegetables—simmered to perfection for the ultimate 'best' comfort food. This american-inspired beef ready in about 175 minutes pairs tablespoons all-purpose flour, tablespoons olive oil, peeled and chopped carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 3.8 (14 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 150 min Serves 4 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 pounds beef chuck cubes dry and toss with 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear beef in batches until deeply browned on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per batch, then set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same pot, cook 1 chopped onion, 2 chopped celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves until softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Return beef to pot, add 4 cups beef broth, 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and 2 bay leaves.
  5. Step 5: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 hours.
  6. Step 6: Add 3 chopped carrots and 2 cubed potatoes, cover, and simmer for 45 more minutes until vegetables are tender and beef is fork-tender.
  7. Step 7: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and serve hot with crusty bread.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does The Best Slow-Simmered Beef Stew take to make?

Total time is about 175 minutes (25 min prep + 150 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 Slow-Simmered 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 Slow-Simmered 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 Slow-Simmered Beef Stew for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Slow-Simmered 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.

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