Wheat Berry and Beef Stew

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-09 · Updated 2026-04-09

Hearty stew with tender beef and nutty wheat berries simmered in a rich broth with carrots and celery. This American-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, pairs stew beef, olive oil, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 stew beef
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large, diced onion
• 2, peeled and diced carrots
• 2 stalks, diced celery
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup, rinsed wheat berries
• 1 cup, diced potatoes
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs stew beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Cook for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 4 cups beef broth, 1 cup rinsed wheat berries, 1 cup diced potatoes, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover.
4. Step 4: Simmer for 45 minutes, or until beef and potatoes are tender and wheat berries are cooked through.
5. Step 5: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp all-purpose flour with 2 tbsp cold water to make a slurry. Stir into stew and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened.