Urban Neighborhood Stew

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-07 · Updated 2026-04-07

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.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large, chopped onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 3, peeled and sliced carrots
• 2, peeled and cubed potatoes
• 2 stalks, sliced celery
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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.