Hearty Beef Stew Recipe: Cozy Comfort in Every Spoonful

Comfort arrives with this hearty beef stew that promises warmth on chilly evenings.

Savory aromas will drift through your kitchen, beckoning everyone near.

Rich, tender chunks of meat melt against a backdrop of robust vegetables.

Slow-cooked ingredients create a symphony of flavors that speak directly to your soul.

Generations have cherished this classic dish, passing down secrets from one cook to another.

Memories of home emerge with each spoonful, connecting you to tradition and love.

Grab a ladle and let this stew become your next culinary adventure.

Beef Stew Overview

• Elevate Comfort Eating: This hearty beef stew delivers rich, warming flavors that wrap you in pure culinary comfort, perfect for satisfying deep hunger and soothing souls.
• Master One-Pot Cooking: Prepare an entire meal using just a single pot, minimizing kitchen cleanup and streamlining your cooking process with minimal dishes to wash afterward.
• Customize for Family Preferences: Easily swap vegetables or adjust spices to match individual tastes, making this recipe wonderfully adaptable for picky eaters or dietary needs.
• Nutrient-Packed Meal Solution: Packed with protein from beef and vitamins from fresh vegetables, this stew offers a balanced, wholesome dinner that supports healthy eating goals.

Ingredients for Beef Stew Dish

• Beef Cubes: Tender meat pieces that form the protein foundation of the stew.

• Flour, Salt, Pepper: Classic blend that helps coat the beef and provides initial flavor and thickening.

• Onion, Garlic: Foundational vegetables that create a deep, rich flavor base for the stew.
• Thyme, Rosemary, Bay Leaf: Fragrant herbs that add earthy and complex herbal notes to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Helps brown the meat and provides a smooth cooking medium.
• Tomato Paste: Adds depth and a slight tangy richness to the stew.
• Beef Broth: Creates the primary cooking liquid and intensifies the meaty flavor.

• Potatoes, Carrots, Celery: Classic stew vegetables that provide texture, nutrition, and hearty substance to the dish.

How to Prepare Beef Stew

Step 1: Coat Beef with Seasoned Flour

Sprinkle flour over beef cubes and generously season with salt and pepper.

Ensure each piece is evenly and completely covered with the flour mixture.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.

Carefully place beef cubes into the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Brown each piece until a rich golden crust forms on all sides.

Remove browned beef and set aside on a clean plate.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté until onions become translucent and garlic releases its fragrant aroma.

Step 4: Build the Flavor Base

Stir in tomato paste, allowing it to caramelize slightly.

• Fresh thyme
• Rosemary sprigs
• Bay leaf

Step 5: Slow Cook the Beef

Return browned beef to the pot.

Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to low.

Cover and simmer gently for one hour, allowing meat to become tender.

Step 6: Add Hearty Vegetables

• Cubed potatoes
• Sliced carrots
• Chopped celery

Continue simmering for an additional 30 minutes until vegetables are soft and beef is fork-tender.

Step 7: Final Touch and Serve

Remove bay leaf and herb stems.

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Ladle the hot stew into bowls and serve immediately.

Tips for Beef Stew Success

• Choose chuck or round cuts for rich flavor and tenderness without excessive fat.
• Use medium-high heat to develop deep caramelization on meat without burning, creating complex flavor layers.
• Crush dried thyme and rosemary between fingers before adding to release more intense aromatic oils into the stew.
• Cut vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and consistent doneness throughout the dish.
• If stew appears too thin, mix a tablespoon of flour with cold water and slowly stir into simmering liquid to thicken naturally.

Flavor Variations for Beef Stew Dish

• Lamb Stew Delight: Replace beef with tender lamb chunks for a rich, Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Hearty Bowl: Swap beef with hearty portobello mushrooms or firm tofu cubes, using vegetable broth for a plant-based version.
• Slow Cooker Wonder: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning meat, cooking on low for 6-8 hours for deeper flavor and tender meat.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Use cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour to coat meat, ensuring safe consumption for gluten-sensitive individuals.

Serving Suggestions for Beef Stew

• Family Comfort Meal: Serve this hearty beef stew with crusty bread to soak up the rich, flavorful broth and create a complete, satisfying dinner experience.
• Rustic Pairing Delight: Complement the stew with a creamy mashed potato side or buttery egg noodles to enhance the meal's warm, comforting texture and absorb the delicious sauce.
• Winter Warming Companion: Pair with a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to elevate the beef's deep, robust flavors and create a cozy winter dining atmosphere.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives just before serving to add a bright, fresh note that cuts through the stew's richness and provides a beautiful pop of color.

Storage Advice for Beef Stew

• Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for 2-3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs

• Why should I coat the beef in flour before browning?

Coating beef in flour helps create a golden-brown crust that seals in moisture and adds a rich, caramelized flavor to the stew. The flour also helps thicken the sauce during cooking.

• Can I use different herbs if I don't have thyme or rosemary?

Absolutely! You can substitute with herbs like oregano, marjoram, or Italian seasoning blend. These herbs will still provide a delicious aromatic profile to your beef stew.

• How do I know when the beef is tender enough?

The beef is ready when it easily falls apart with a fork and can be cut with minimal effort. This typically happens after slow cooking for about 1-1.5 hours, which breaks down the tough muscle fibers.

Beef Stew Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

French-inspired beef stew reveals hearty comfort through tender meat braised in red wine with root vegetables. Rustic flavors from Burgundy create a soul-warming dish you will savor with crusty bread and memories of countryside kitchens.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes

Vegetables:

• 2 cups (300 grams) potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 cups (200 grams) carrots, sliced
• 1 cup (100 grams) celery, sliced
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 4 cups (960 milliliters) beef broth
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Coat beef cubes thoroughly with seasoned flour mixture, ensuring even coverage for optimal browning and flavor development.
2. Sear meat in hot olive oil, working in batches to achieve deep golden-brown exterior without overcrowding the pot, then transfer to a separate plate.
3. Caramelize onions and garlic in the same pot, releasing aromatic flavors and capturing residual meat drippings.
4. Incorporate tomato paste, creating a rich base, then pour in beef broth and infuse with fragrant herbs like thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf.
5. Reintroduce browned beef to the liquid, bringing contents to a vigorous boil before reducing heat to a gentle simmer for approximately 60 minutes.
6. Introduce root vegetables – potatoes, carrots, and celery – allowing them to slowly cook and absorb the savory braising liquid for an additional 30 minutes until vegetables reach tender consistency.
7. Taste and fine-tune seasoning with salt and pepper, discard bay leaf, and serve piping hot for maximum flavor enjoyment.

Notes

• Ensure even coating by shaking beef cubes in a sealed plastic bag with flour, salt, and pepper for uniform seasoning.
• Brown meat in small batches to achieve a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in deep flavor and prevents steaming.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour, maintaining the same coating technique.
• Enhance the stew’s richness by using a combination of beef broth and red wine, which adds complexity and depth to the overall taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 300 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg