Beef Stew Recipe can transform simple ingredients into a hearty and flavorful meal that warms the soul and satisfies the palate. This classic dish, renowned for its rich, savory broth and tender chunks of meat, is a staple in comfort food cuisine. Perfect for chilly evenings and family gatherings, this recipe harnesses the robust flavors of slow-cooked beef, joined by a medley of vibrant vegetables and aromatic herbs. What sets this particular beef stew apart is its unique blend of spices, which infuses each bite with layers of depth and warmth. As you embark on this culinary journey, prepare to fill your kitchen with enticing aromas that promise a delightful dining experience. Not only is this stew a crowd-pleaser, but it also offers a nutritious, wholesome option that is easy to prepare and loved by all.

What is Beef Stew?

Beef stew is a hearty, comforting dish made by slow-cooking tender beef chunks with vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions in a flavorful broth. This savory meal is often seasoned with herbs and spices, creating a rich, aromatic experience. Perfect for chilly days, beef stew delivers warmth and nourishment in every bite. Loved by families worldwide, this classic dish is both easy to prepare and satisfyingly delicious, making it a staple in many kitchens.

Video of Beef Stew

Prep Time	20 minutes of hands-on prep
Cook Time	2 hours of simmering on the stove
Total Time	Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
Servings	Serves 6 people

Beef stew, a hearty and comforting dish, has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times when humans discovered the art of stewing meat. Across cultures, this savory meal evolved, drawing from local ingredients and flavors. In medieval Europe, beef stew was cherished for its ability to tenderize tough cuts of beef and stretch limited resources. Today, it remains popular worldwide for its warmth and versatility. Many seek out the perfect Beef Stew Recipe to savor its deep, rich flavors, especially during cold months. The combination of tender beef, vegetables, and aromatic herbs creates a nourishing experience. The timeless appeal of a classic Beef Stew Recipe lies in its simplicity and the sense of nostalgia it evokes.

Beef Stew Ingredients

Craft a hearty and flavorful beef stew with an array of fresh ingredients that promise richness and depth in every bite. Begin with succulent, freshly-cut beef chuck, which serves as the stew’s tender foundation. Surround it with vibrant, garden-fresh vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and celery, each offering their own unique texture and taste. Enhance the savory essence with aromatic onions and garlic, and don’t forget a bundle of fresh herbs to infuse the stew with fragrant, earthy notes.

Beef Chuck: Well-marbled beef cut into 1-inch cubes for tenderness and flavor.
Carrots: Peeled and sliced into rounds to add sweetness and color.
Potatoes: Diced into bite-sized pieces to provide heartiness and texture.
Onion: Chopped finely to infuse the stew with savory depth.
Garlic: Minced to enhance the aromatic foundation of the dish.
Beef Broth: Rich, flavorful liquid base for simmering the stew.
Red Wine: Adds complexity and depth to the overall flavor profile.
Tomato Paste: Thickens the stew and contributes a concentrated tomato flavor.
Bay Leaves: Dried leaves for a subtle, earthy aroma.
Thyme: Fresh or dried herb to introduce a hint of herbal notes.
Olive Oil: Used for browning the beef and saut ing the vegetables.
Salt: Seasoning to enhance and balance flavors.
Black Pepper: Ground to provide a subtle heat and spice.

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How to Make Beef Stew

Start by carefully selecting quality beef, ideally chuck roast, for tenderness. Cut into uniform cubes to ensure even cooking. Sear the beef in hot oil until browned, locking in flavor. Prepare a mirepoix of onions, carrots, and celery, saut ing until aromatic. Incorporate these foundational techniques to build a rich, hearty stew.

Begin by preparing your ingredients. Cut 2 pounds of beef chuck into 1-inch cubes, season them with salt and pepper, and set aside. Chop 1 large onion, 3 carrots, and 3 celery stalks into bite-sized pieces; mince 2 cloves of garlic; and peel and cube 4 medium-sized potatoes.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the beef cubes in batches, ensuring not to crowd the pot, and brown them on all sides for about 5 minutes. Remove the browned beef and set it aside on a plate.
In the same pot, add the chopped onions and saut for about 5 minutes until they become translucent, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant. Return the beef to the pot and stir to combine with the onions and garlic.
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour over the beef mixture and stir to coat the meat evenly. This will help to thicken the stew. Allow the flour to cook for about 2 minutes, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
Pour in 1 cup of red wine to deglaze the pot, making sure to scrape up any remaining browned bits from the bottom. Allow the wine to simmer for about 3 minutes until it reduces slightly. This step will add depth of flavor to the stew.
Add 4 cups of beef broth, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and 1 bay leaf to the pot. Stir everything together until well combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Add the chopped carrots, celery, and potatoes to the pot. Stir them into the stew, ensuring they are submerged in the liquid. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer gently on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours.
Occasionally check the stew, stirring every 30 minutes to prevent sticking to the bottom. Taste the broth and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. This will ensure that the flavors are balanced and the meat is tender.
Once the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through, remove the bay leaf and discard it. If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot to release their starch. This will naturally thicken the stew.
Serve the beef stew hot, garnishing it with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of freshness. Pair it with crusty bread or over a bed of buttered noodles or rice for a complete meal. Enjoy the comforting and hearty flavors of your homemade beef stew.

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Tips for Making Beef Stew

Creating a hearty beef stew requires a few essential tips to enhance its flavor. Start by selecting well-marbled beef, as it tenderizes beautifully during slow cooking. Brown the meat in batches to develop a rich caramelized layer. Use a mix of root vegetables like carrots and potatoes for texture. Incorporate aromatic herbs such as thyme and bay leaf for depth. Finally, cook low and slow, allowing the ingredients to meld into a comforting, savory stew.

Sear the Meat Properly: Ensure that the beef is dry before searing, and use a hot, heavy-bottomed pot. Sear in batches without overcrowding to achieve a deep, caramelized crust, which enhances flavor.
Deglaze the Pot: After searing the beef, deglaze the pot using a splash of red wine, beef broth, or balsamic vinegar. Scrape up the fond (browned bits) from the bottom of the pot to incorporate rich, savory flavors into the stew.
Use Homemade Stock: For deeper flavor, use homemade beef or veal stock instead of store-bought broth. The gelatin from bones in homemade stock adds a luxurious mouthfeel to the stew.
Enhance with Umami Boosters: Add ingredients like a splash of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or a small amount of anchovy paste to the stew to enhance its savory depth and complexity.
Incorporate Aromatics Strategically: Add aromatics such as thyme, bay leaves, and rosemary at the beginning of cooking for deep infusion, but add fresh herbs like parsley towards the end to preserve their bright flavor and color.
Cook Low and Slow: Opt for a low and slow cooking process either on the stovetop or in the oven to allow collagen in the beef to break down, resulting in tender meat and a rich, flavorful broth.
Add Vegetables at Different Stages: To prevent vegetables from turning mushy, add them in stages; root vegetables early on and delicate ones, like peas or mushrooms, towards the end of cooking.
Finish with a Brightening Agent: Before serving, brighten the stew with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to balance the rich flavors and add a touch of acidity, which can enhance the overall taste.

Directions for Making Beef Stew

Welcome to a comforting and hearty Beef Stew recipe that will warm your soul and delight your taste buds. This classic dish combines tender chunks of beef, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs simmered to perfection in a rich, flavorful broth. Follow these simple steps to create a satisfying meal that s perfect for cozy family dinners or gatherings. Let’s dive into the culinary journey of making the perfect beef stew!

Gather Ingredients: Begin by assembling all necessary ingredients, including 2 pounds of beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 4 cups of beef broth, 1 cup of red wine (optional), 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 2 cloves of garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1 bay leaf, 4 large carrots, sliced, 3 potatoes, peeled and diced, 1 onion, chopped, salt, and pepper to taste.
Prepare the Beef: Season the beef cubes generously with salt and pepper. Then, toss them in a large mixing bowl with the flour until all pieces are lightly coated.
Brown the Beef: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan, and brown all sides for about 5-7 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.
Saut Aromatics: In the same pot, lower the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, saut ing until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Deglaze the Pot: Pour in the red wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce slightly.
Combine Ingredients: Add the tomato paste, thyme, bay leaf, beef broth, and browned beef back into the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
Simmer the Stew: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender.
Add Vegetables: After the initial simmer, add the carrots and potatoes to the pot. Cover and continue to simmer for another 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are fork-tender.
Final Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. If the stew is too thin, uncover the pot and let it simmer until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serve: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle the stew into bowls and enjoy it hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley for added flavor and color.

Nutrition Facts of Beef Stew

This hearty beef stew recipe provides a balanced array of nutrients, making it a comforting and healthy choice. A typical serving offers approximately 250 calories, 15 grams of protein, 10 grams of fat, and 20 grams of carbohydrates. It is also rich in essential vitamins and minerals like iron, vitamin A, and potassium.

Calories	250 per serving
Protein	20 grams per serving
Fat	12 grams per serving
Saturated Fat	4 grams per serving
Cholesterol	70 milligrams per serving
Carbohydrates	18 grams per serving
Fiber	3 grams per serving
Sugar	4 grams per serving
Sodium	600 milligrams per serving

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Conclusion on Beef Stew Recipe

Beef stew is a timeless classic that brings warmth and comfort to any table. Its rich, savory flavors and tender chunks of beef make it an irresistible choice for family dinners or cozy gatherings. This hearty dish is packed with nutritious vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and peas, providing essential vitamins and minerals. The slow-cooked method ensures the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the aromatic herbs infuse the stew with delightful depth. Diverse serving options make beef stew versatile; pair it with crusty bread for a satisfying meal, or serve it over a bed of fluffy rice or creamy mashed potatoes for added comfort. Ideal for meal prepping, beef stew’s flavors intensify over time, making leftovers even more delicious. It’s a wholesome, nourishing choice that warms both the heart and the body, perfect for chilly days and cherished family moments.