Hearty Beef Stew Recipe: A Cozy Comfort Food Classic

Crafting a hearty beef stew that warms your soul brings pure comfort on chilly evenings.

Aromatic herbs and tender meat create a magical culinary experience.

Slow-cooking transforms simple ingredients into a rich, mouth-watering dish that feels like a warm embrace.

Layers of flavor develop gradually, infusing each bite with deep, satisfying notes.

Kitchen wisdom passed through generations makes this recipe special and deeply personal.

Robust chunks of meat and vegetables simmer together, creating a symphony of tastes.

You’ll find this stew becomes an instant classic at your dinner table.

The Appeal Of Classic Beef Stew

• Tackle Tough Cuts: Transform inexpensive, tough beef cuts into a mouthwatering, tender stew through slow cooking that breaks down muscle fibers.
• Versatile One-Pot Wonder: Create a complete meal in a single pot with minimal cleanup, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Deliver a hearty, warming dish that satisfies hunger and brings families together around the dinner table with its rich, robust flavors.
• Customizable Culinary Canvas: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping vegetables or adding personal favorite herbs and spices to make it uniquely yours.

Ingredients To Gather For Beef Stew

• Beef Cubes: A hearty protein that becomes tender and flavorful during the long cooking process.
• Beef Broth: Provides a rich, savory liquid base that helps tenderize the meat and create depth of flavor.
• Potatoes: Starchy vegetables that add substance and become soft and comforting during simmering.

• Onions, Garlic, Carrots, Celery: A classic combination that builds a robust flavor foundation for the stew.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that bring out the natural taste of the beef.
• Flour: Used to coat the beef and help create a slight thickening effect for the stew.
• Tomato Paste: Adds a concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Provides a tangy, umami depth to the overall dish.
• Bay Leaves, Thyme: Aromatic herbs that infuse the stew with subtle, earthy undertones.
• Olive Oil: Used for searing the beef and sautéing the vegetables.

Instructions For Making Beef Stew

Step 1: Prepare Beef Cubes

Grab your beef and give it a flavor boost by sprinkling salt and pepper all over. Next, roll each beef piece in flour, creating a light, crispy coating that’ll help thicken the stew and add amazing texture.

Step 2: Brown the Meat

Fire up a large pot with olive oil over medium heat. Carefully place beef cubes into the hot pan, letting each side develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust.

Once beautifully seared, transfer the meat to a separate plate.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic
• Diced carrots
• Sliced celery

Sauté these veggies until they become soft and start releasing their sweet, aromatic flavors.

Step 4: Build the Stew Liquid

• Tomato paste
• Worcestershire sauce
• Beef broth
• Bay leaves
• Fresh thyme

Slide the browned beef back into the pot. Bring everything to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and let it gently simmer.

Cook for 1.5 to 2 hours until the meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Step 5: Add Hearty Potatoes

During the final 30 minutes of cooking, drop in cubed potatoes.

Let them cook until they’re perfectly soft and ready to soak up all the rich, savory broth.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Pluck out the bay leaves and thyme sprigs.

Ladle this comforting stew into bowls and pair with your favorite side dishes. Get ready for a meal that’ll warm your soul!

Tips For Cooking The Perfect Beef Stew

• Dredge beef in flour thoroughly to create a crispy, golden-brown exterior that helps thicken the stew's sauce.
• Choose chuck roast or stew meat for maximum tenderness, as these cuts break down beautifully during slow cooking.
• Control simmering heat to ensure meat remains juicy and falls apart easily without becoming tough or dry.
• Use fresh herbs like thyme and bay leaves for deeper, more complex flavor profiles compared to dried alternatives.
• Allow extra cooking time if using tougher meat cuts, which require longer simmering to become melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Variations On Classic Beef Stew

• Lamb Stew Swap: Replace beef with tender lamb cubes for a rich, slightly gamey flavor profile that elevates the classic stew.
• Vegetarian Hearty Pot: Substitute beef with robust portobello mushrooms or firm tofu, using vegetable broth to maintain depth and create a plant-based version.
• Slow Cooker Method: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after searing beef, cook on low for 6-8 hours for tender meat and minimal hands-on preparation.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use cornstarch instead of flour for dredging, and ensure all broth and sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive diets.

What Goes Well With Beef Stew

• Cozy Comfort Meal: Pair this hearty beef stew with crusty bread to soak up the rich, flavorful broth, creating a perfect combination of textures and tastes.
• Weekend Family Feast: Serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles to transform the stew into a complete, satisfying meal that brings everyone to the table.
• Rustic Dinner Party Style: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, a dollop of sour cream, and serve in deep ceramic bowls to elevate the presentation and add a touch of elegance to this classic comfort dish.
• Winter Warmth Solution: Accompany the stew with a simple green salad and a glass of robust red wine to create a warming meal that chases away the cold and fills the kitchen with delicious aromas.

Best Ways To Store Beef Stew

• Refrigerate leftover beef stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
• Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odors.
• Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 3 months, leaving some space for expansion.
• Label containers with the date to track storage time and maintain food quality.

FAQs

• Why do I need to dredge the beef in flour?

Dredging helps create a golden-brown crust and thickens the stew sauce, adding rich flavor and helping the meat brown evenly.

• Can I use a different type of meat for this stew?

Chuck roast or stew meat works best because they have enough fat and connective tissue to become tender during slow cooking.

• How do I know when the beef is fully cooked and tender?

The beef should easily break apart with a fork and feel soft after 1.5-2 hours of simmering, indicating it’s perfectly tender.

• Is it necessary to sear the meat before simmering?

Yes, searing locks in flavor, creates a delicious caramelized exterior, and develops a deeper, more complex taste for the stew.

Classic Beef Stew Recipe

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4.5 from 27 reviews

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

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Description

Hearty Irish beef stew simmers with tender meat, root vegetables, and Guinness-infused broth. Comforting flavors meld together, creating a soul-warming dish you’ll savor with each spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 pounds beef chuck (cubed)

Vegetables:

• 4 medium potatoes (peeled and cubed)
• 3 carrots (sliced)
• 2 celery stalks (sliced)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon thyme (fresh or dried)
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the beef by coating each cube with seasoned flour, ensuring an even, light dusting that will help create a rich, golden crust during searing.
2. Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully place floured beef cubes into the hot pan, allowing each piece to develop a deep, caramelized exterior without overcrowding.
3. Transfer browned meat to a plate, leaving behind flavorful browned bits at the bottom of the pot. Add chopped onions, minced garlic, diced carrots, and sliced celery, stirring frequently until vegetables become translucent and slightly softened.
4. Deglaze the pot with beef broth, scraping up the concentrated flavor deposits. Incorporate tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and fresh thyme, creating a robust aromatic base.
5. Return seared beef to the pot, submerging the meat completely in the liquid. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, covering and allowing the stew to simmer for approximately 1.5 hours at 325°F.
6. During the final 30 minutes of cooking, introduce cubed potatoes, ensuring they become tender but not mushy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
7. Once meat is fork-tender and potatoes are soft, remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving in warm bowls alongside crusty bread or rice.

Notes

• Choose tough, marbled cuts like chuck roast for maximum flavor and tenderness in your beef stew.
• Pat beef cubes completely dry before seasoning to ensure perfect browning and develop rich caramelized exterior.
• Use a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or cast-iron pot to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning during searing and simmering.
• Customize the stew by adding red wine or dark beer instead of some beef broth for deeper, more complex flavor profile.
• Make this dish gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend when dredging beef.
• Enhance nutritional value by incorporating additional root vegetables like parsnips or turnips during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg