Beef stew is a hearty, comforting dish featuring tender chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and a rich, savory broth. Slow-simmered to perfection, this classic dish is perfect for cold nights, family dinners, or meal prep. Serve it with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food experience!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich & Flavorful: Slow-cooked beef in a deeply savory broth.
- Tender & Juicy Meat: Simmering makes the beef melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- One-Pot Meal: Everything cooks together for easy cleanup.
- Customizable: Add your favorite veggies or seasonings.
- Great for Meal Prep: Tastes even better the next day!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Boneless beef chuck, cut into chunks
- Salt and pepper
- Flour (for dredging)
- Olive oil or butter
- Onion, chopped
- Garlic, minced
- Carrots, sliced
- Potatoes, cubed
- Celery, chopped
- Tomato paste
- Beef broth
- Worcestershire sauce
- Red wine (optional, for depth of flavor)
- Bay leaf
- Dried thyme
- Paprika
- Frozen peas (optional, for extra color)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Directions
Step 1: Brown the Beef
- Season the Beef: Pat the beef dry and season with salt and pepper. Dredge lightly in flour.
- Sear the Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches (about 4-5 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Build the Stew Base
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pot, add onions, garlic, celery, and carrots. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Add Tomato Paste & Wine: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in red wine (if using) and scrape the brown bits from the bottom.
Step 3: Simmer the Stew
- Add the Broth & Seasonings: Return the beef to the pot. Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and season with thyme, paprika, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer Until Tender: Cover and let it simmer on low heat for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Add Potatoes & Final Touches
- Add Potatoes & Peas: Stir in potatoes and let cook for another 30 minutes until tender. Add frozen peas in the last 5 minutes.
- Serve & Enjoy: Remove the bay leaf, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-2.5 hours
- Total Time: About 2.5 hours
Variations
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew: Sear beef, then add everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
- Instant Pot Beef Stew: Sear beef on Sauté mode, then pressure cook for 35 minutes, followed by a natural release.
- Spicy Beef Stew: Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
- Gluten-Free: Use cornstarch slurry instead of flour for thickening.
- Vegetable-Packed: Add mushrooms, green beans, or parsnips.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm on the stovetop over medium heat or microwave in 30-second bursts.
FAQs
What’s the best beef cut for stew?
Chuck roast is ideal because it becomes tender when slow-cooked.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Beef stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
How do I thicken my beef stew?
- Simmer uncovered for a few minutes.
- Stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water).
- Mash some of the potatoes into the broth.
Can I use chicken broth instead of beef broth?
Yes, but beef broth provides a richer flavor.
What can I serve with beef stew?
Crusty bread, mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles.
Why is my beef tough?
It needs more time! Keep simmering until fork-tender.
Can I add dumplings to this stew?
Yes! Drop biscuit dough on top and cover for 20 minutes.
How do I make it more flavorful?
- Add a splash of balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce.
- Stir in a little soy sauce for umami.
Can I skip the wine?
Yes! Replace it with extra broth or balsamic vinegar.
Can I use ground beef instead?
It won’t be as tender, but you can cook ground beef first and then add it to the stew.
Conclusion
Beef stew is a classic, rich, and comforting dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a deeply flavorful broth, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit. Try it today and enjoy a warm, satisfying meal that gets better with every bite!
PrintBeef Stew Recipe
This hearty Beef Stew is rich, comforting, and packed with tender beef, potatoes, and vegetables in a flavorful broth. Perfect for chilly days, it’s a one-pot meal that gets better as it simmers!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 min
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 min
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Beef:
- 2 lbs (900 g) beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Stew:
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 3 medium potatoes, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups (1 L) beef broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) red wine (or additional beef broth)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup (150 g) frozen peas (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
1️⃣ Brown the Beef
- In a bowl, toss beef cubes with flour, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Sear the beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side, until browned.
- Remove and set aside.
2️⃣ Sauté the Vegetables
- In the same pot, add onions, garlic, carrots, and celery.
- Cook for 5 minutes, scraping up any browned bits.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
3️⃣ Simmer the Stew
- Pour in red wine (if using) and let it reduce for 2 minutes.
- Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
- Return beef to the pot and bring to a simmer.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
4️⃣ Add Potatoes & Peas
- Stir in potatoes and cook for another 30 minutes, until tender.
- Add peas in the last 5 minutes.
5️⃣ Thicken & Serve
- If a thicker stew is desired, mix cornstarch + water and stir into the stew. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Remove bay leaves, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot!
Notes
📌 Want More Flavor? Add a dash of balsamic vinegar or a spoonful of Dijon mustard.
🍷 No Wine? Substitute with extra broth or apple juice.
🔥 Slow Cooker Version: Brown the beef, then cook everything in a slow cooker on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours.
🥕 Vegetable Swap: Try sweet potatoes, mushrooms, or parsnips for variety.