🍲 Beef Stew Recipe
Beef stew is the ultimate comfort food—a timeless, one-pot meal that fills your home with warmth and mouthwatering aroma. Made with juicy chunks of beef, simmered low and slow with vegetables and herbs, this hearty dish has been a staple in homes around the world for centuries. Whether it’s served on a cold winter night or as a weekend family favorite, beef stew always hits the spot.
The magic of beef stew lies in its simplicity: a few humble ingredients, patience, and time turn into something deeply flavorful and satisfying. This recipe takes you step-by-step to create a rich, thick, and tender beef stew that’s perfect with bread, rice, or mashed potatoes.
🍽️ Recipe Preparation Equipment
To prepare this classic beef stew, you’ll need:
- Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Wooden spoon
- Tongs
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small bowl for flouring beef
- Ladle
🛒 Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs chuck beef, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2–3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional, but adds depth)
- 4 cups beef broth (low sodium)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 3–4 Yukon Gold or red potatoes, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
👨🍳 How to Make Easy Beef Stew
Step 1: Season and Sear the Beef
Pat beef dry with paper towels. In a bowl, toss the beef cubes with flour, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches, browning all sides, then transfer to a plate. Don’t overcrowd the pot.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
In the same pot, add more oil if needed and sauté onions, carrots, and celery for about 5–7 minutes until slightly soft. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 3: Add Tomato Paste and Wine
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen its flavor. Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping the bottom to release browned bits (fond). Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
Step 4: Simmer the Stew
Return the beef to the pot. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is fork-tender.
Step 5: Add Potatoes and Finish Cooking
Add potatoes and cook uncovered for another 30–40 minutes until potatoes are tender. If using peas, stir them in during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Step 6: Adjust and Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaves. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
🔄 Variations
- With Mushrooms: Add sliced mushrooms with the onions for earthy flavor.
- Irish Style: Use Guinness stout instead of wine and add a dash of mustard.
- Gluten-Free: Skip the flour and thicken at the end with a cornstarch slurry.
- Spicy Kick: Add a chopped chili or red pepper flakes.
- Slow Cooker: Sear the beef and veggies, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4–5 hours.
🍳 Cooking Note
- Don’t rush the browning—developing that rich crust on the beef adds tons of flavor.
- Stew should simmer gently, not boil vigorously. Boiling can toughen the meat.
- For extra thickness, mash a few potato chunks into the broth near the end of cooking.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
- Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, buttered egg noodles, or creamy polenta.
- A chunk of crusty bread or garlic toast is perfect for soaking up the stew.
- Add a green salad on the side to balance the richness.
- Leftovers make a delicious filling for savory hand pies or pot pie.
💡 Helpful Tips
- Choose the right cut: Chuck roast or stew meat with marbling becomes buttery-soft when slow-cooked.
- Better the next day: Flavors deepen overnight. Make it a day ahead and reheat for an even richer stew.
- Skim fat: If needed, skim off extra fat from the surface after cooling or use a fat separator.
- Cut vegetables evenly: This ensures even cooking and avoids mushy textures.
⭐ Tips for the Best Beef Stew
- Brown in batches – Overcrowding reduces browning and leads to steaming instead of searing.
- Use tomato paste – It adds a beautiful umami depth and slightly thickens the broth.
- Layer your flavors – Deglazing with wine or broth ensures every bit of flavor gets into the stew.
- Low and slow wins – Give your stew enough time to simmer for tender beef and rich flavor.
⏱️ Prep Time:
20 minutes
⏱️ Cooking Time:
2 hours 15 minutes
⏱️ Total Time:
2 hours 35 minutes
🥗 Nutritional Information (per serving, approx.)
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 35g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 6g
(Nutrition may vary based on ingredients used.)
❓ FAQs
Q: Can I freeze beef stew?
Yes! Let it cool completely, then portion into airtight containers and freeze for up to 3 months.
Q: Can I make beef stew without wine?
Absolutely. Simply substitute wine with extra beef broth or a bit of balsamic vinegar for depth.
Q: How do I thicken the stew if it’s too thin?
Mash a few potato chunks, or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water) and simmer until thickened.
Q: What cut of beef is best?
Chuck roast is ideal for its balance of lean and fat. It becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender after slow simmering.
Q: Can I make this in the Instant Pot?
Yes! Use the sauté function for browning, then pressure cook on high for 35 minutes with natural release.
✅ Conclusion
This classic beef stew recipe is more than just a meal—it’s a cozy, heartwarming experience. From the first rich spoonful to the last, it’s packed with robust flavors, tender beef, and wholesome vegetables. It’s a dish made for sharing, slow evenings, and second helpings.
Make it for a crowd, meal prep it for the week, or freeze portions for busy nights. However you enjoy it, this beef stew will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen. One pot, one recipe, endless comfort
