A Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable Stew Recipe

There’s nothing quite like a bowl of comforting beef and root vegetable stew. This recipe is not only simple to prepare but packed with nutrition and delicious flavour. Perfect for busy home cooks and healthy eaters alike, this crowd-pleaser makes for an easy slow-cooker meal that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening.

Whether you’re after a hearty dinner for the family or a comforting batch meal prep recipe for your week, this stew has got you covered. Plus, it can be easily adapted to suit vegetarians—more on that later!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simplicity: Requires minimal prep and lets your slow cooker do all the work.
• Nourishment: Loaded with lean protein, fibre-rich root veggies, and essential vitamins.
• Versatility: Tweak the recipe to suit different diets and tastes.

Now, grab your apron and let’s get cooking!

Ingredients Overview

Here’s what you’ll need to make this hearty, satisfying stew.

The Ingredients

• 800g casserole beef chunks – Lean, tender beef brimming with protein to help you feel full and satisfied.
• 3 carrots – Packed with beta-carotene and a hint of natural sweetness.
• 3 large parsnips – Slightly nutty and creamy when cooked.
• 3 sticks of celery – Adds a subtle crunch and loads of vitamins.
• 2 leeks – Brings a mild oniony flavour to the stew.
• 2 brown onions – A depth of flavour that builds the base of this dish.
• 2 tbsp tomato purée – A hit of acidity and richness.
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce – Adds a punch of umami. (Vegetarian? Swap for Henderson’s Relish!)
• 4 beef stock cubes dissolved in 400ml boiling water – Flavour-packed to tie it all together.

Finishing Touches

• 2 tbsp cornflour – Thickens the stew for that luscious texture.

TIP: All ingredients are easy to find at your local supermarket, and you might already have most of them at home!

Step-by-Step Preparation

Prepping the Ingredients

1. Start by cutting all your vegetables (carrots, parsnips, celery, leeks, and onions) into bite-sized chunks. Pro tip: Aim for uniform sizes, so everything cooks evenly.
2. Remove any fat you can see from the beef as it isn’t needed.

Layering in the Slow Cooker

1. Add the beef chunks and all the chopped vegetables to your slow cooker.
2. Stir in the tomato purée and Worcestershire sauce to coat everything in that rich, tangy goodness. Pour in the beef stock.

The Cooking Process

Set It, Forget It (Well, Almost)

1. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set the heat to LOW. Now, walk away and enjoy 7 hours of free time while the flavours meld together. (Who doesn’t love fuss-free cooking?)
2. Half an hour before the cooking time is up, mix 2 tablespoons of cornflour with a splash of cold water to form a paste. Stir it into the slow cooker to thicken the stew. Turn up the heat to HIGH for those final 30 minutes.

Serve and Savour

Serve the stew piping hot, and don’t shy away from ladling it generously into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley and a slice of crusty bread on the side for the ultimate comfort combo.

Adapt it for Vegetarians

If beef isn’t your thing, no worries! This recipe doubles as an amazing root vegetable stew. Just make a few tweaks:

• Leave out the beef and add more root veggies such as sweet potatoes or turnips for bulk.
• Swap the beef stock for vegetable stock.
• Use Henderson’s Relish (or your favourite vegetarian Worcestershire sauce substitute).

Now you have a veggie-friendly stew that’s every bit as satisfying!

Serving Suggestions

• Make it Filling: Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or dumplings.
• Lighten it Up: Serve with steamed vegetables for an even healthier meal.

Health Benefits of This Stew

Not only does this stew taste phenomenal, but it’s also incredibly nutritious!

• Rich in Fibre: The mix of root vegetables delivers gut-friendly fibre and keeps you full.
• High in Protein: Lean beef helps build and repair muscles while keeping hunger at bay.
• Packed with Vitamins & Minerals: Ingredients like carrots bring beta-carotene (great for eye health), and celery adds a punch of antioxidants.

Slow cooking also retains many nutrients, so you get the most out of each ingredient.

One-Pot Comfort Worth Sharing

Healthy, hearty, and ridiculously easy to make—this beef and root vegetable stew should be your go-to recipe this season. Perfect for busy weekdays or when you just want to impress your family with your cooking skills. Bonus points for the fact that your kitchen will smell amazing all day long.

If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Share your tips, or any tweaks you made in the comments below. You might just inspire someone else to give it a go.

And don’t forget to bookmark this recipe, Pin on Pinterest or share it with your fellow home cooks. After all, comfort food is always better when it’s shared. Cheers to easy, delicious meals!

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