Urban Neighborhood Stew

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty slow-cooked stew with tender beef and root vegetables, reflecting the comforting flavors found in communities across America. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck, olive oil, large, chopped 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.

★ 4.2 (9 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes total, then transfer to a slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened, then add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour the onion mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 sliced carrots, 2 cubed potatoes, 2 sliced celery stalks, 3 cups beef broth, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to combine, cover, and cook on low for 7-8 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Urban Neighborhood Stew take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Urban Neighborhood 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Urban Neighborhood 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 Urban Neighborhood 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 Urban Neighborhood Stew?

American slow cooker 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