Hearty Beef Stew Recipe: A Comforting Classic Made Simple

Crafting a hearty beef stew brings warmth and comfort to chilly evenings, transforming humble ingredients into a soul-satisfying meal.

Robust meat simmers gently with vibrant vegetables, creating layers of rich, deep flavors.

Tender chunks of beef absorb aromatic herbs and spices, promising a delightful culinary experience.

Each spoonful tells a story of slow cooking and careful seasoning.

Home kitchens come alive with the fragrant promise of this classic dish.

Rustic and nourishing, this stew invites you to gather around the table and savor every delicious bite.

Uncover the magic of this timeless recipe that turns simple ingredients into an extraordinary feast.

FAQs

• What type of beef is best for this stew?

Chuck roast or beef stew meat work perfectly because they have enough marbling and become tender when slow-cooked, breaking down during the long simmering process.

• Can I make this stew without red wine?

Yes, you can substitute red wine with additional beef broth or beef stock to maintain the rich flavor profile of the dish.

• How do I prevent the meat from becoming tough?

Brown the meat in batches at medium-high heat, which creates a flavorful crust and helps keep the inside tender during the slow cooking process.

• Is this recipe suitable for a Dutch oven?

Absolutely! A Dutch oven is ideal for beef stew because it distributes heat evenly and helps develop deep, rich flavors during the long simmering time.

What Makes Beef Stew A Classic Comfort

• Craft a Comforting Meal: This beef stew transforms simple ingredients into a hearty, soul-warming dish that wraps you in culinary comfort with minimal kitchen effort.
• Master One-Pot Cooking: Prepare an entire meal using just one pot, reducing cleanup time and making cooking stress-free for busy home chefs or weeknight dinner planners.
• Customize with Ease: Swap vegetables, adjust seasonings, or include optional wine to personalize the recipe according to your taste preferences and pantry ingredients.
• Slow-Cooked Tenderness: Low and slow simmering breaks down tough beef cuts, creating melt-in-your-mouth meat that's packed with rich, developed flavors perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights.

Ingredients for Hearty Beef Stew

• Beef Chuck: A tough cut that becomes wonderfully tender and flavorful when slow-cooked in stew.

• Onion, Garlic: Provide a deep, savory foundation for the stew's overall taste.
• Tomato Paste: Adds rich umami and helps thicken the sauce.
• Thyme, Bay Leaf: Classic herbs that contribute earthy and aromatic notes to the beef stew.

• Olive Oil: Used for browning the beef and sautéing vegetables.
• Red Wine: Adds depth and complexity to the stew's flavor profile.
• Beef Broth: Creates a rich, meaty base for the stew.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.

• Carrots, Potatoes: Hearty vegetables that add texture, nutrition, and substance to the stew.

How to Cook Beef Stew to Perfection

Step 1: Sizzle and Brown Beef

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Carefully place beef pieces into the hot oil, allowing each side to develop a rich, golden-brown crust.

Work in batches to ensure proper browning. Transfer browned beef to a separate plate and set aside.

Step 2: Awaken Aromatic Base

Drop chopped onions and minced garlic into the same pot. Stir and cook until they become soft and translucent.

Introduce tomato paste and let it cook for a quick minute, developing deep flavor complexity.

Step 3: Deglaze with Wine

Pour red wine into the pot, scraping up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom.

Let the liquid simmer and reduce for about 5 minutes, concentrating the wine’s rich essence.

Step 4: Reunite and Simmer Beef

Return the browned beef to the pot.

• Beef broth
• Fresh thyme sprigs
• Bay leaf

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat.

Step 5: Slow Cook the Beef

Cover the pot and let the stew gently simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours. The beef will become incredibly tender and flavorful during this slow cooking process.

Step 6: Add Hearty Vegetables

• Chopped carrots
• Cubed potatoes

Continue simmering for another 30 minutes until vegetables reach perfect tenderness.

Step 7: Final Seasoning and Serve

Sprinkle salt and black pepper to taste.

Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Ladle the rich, steaming beef stew into warm bowls and serve immediately.

Helpful Tips for Beef Stew Success

• Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for maximum tenderness and rich flavor.
• Brown meat in batches to develop deep caramelization and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• Deglaze the pot with red wine to enhance depth of flavor and tenderize the meat naturally.
• Cut vegetables into uniform chunks to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the stew.
• Let the stew rest for 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and meat to become more tender.

Flavorful Variations for Beef Stew

• Hearty Lamb Stew: Replace beef with tender lamb chunks for a rich, Mediterranean-inspired version that brings new depth to the classic recipe.
• Vegetarian Mushroom Stew: Swap beef with mixed mushrooms like portobello and shiitake, using vegetable broth to create a meaty, umami-packed plant-based alternative.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Stew: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets and reduce cooking time, maintaining the stew's rich flavor while cutting down on carbohydrates.
• Slow Cooker Version: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning meat, cook on low for 6-8 hours for a hands-off, tender meal that's perfect for busy days.

Pairing Suggestions for Beef Stew

• Sunday Family Feast: Gather loved ones around the table and serve this hearty stew with crusty bread for soaking up the rich, flavorful sauce.
• Rustic Dinner Plate: Plate the beef stew over creamy mashed potatoes, creating a comforting meal that warms the soul with each delicious bite.
• Cozy Winter Lunch: Pack the stew in a thermos for a warming midday meal at work or school, ensuring a satisfying and nourishing lunch that beats cold weather blues.
• Elegant Dinner Party Centerpiece: Serve in a beautiful ceramic dish garnished with fresh parsley, making this stew a stunning main course that impresses guests with its deep, complex flavors.

Best Ways to Store Beef Stew

• Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Cool the stew completely before transferring to storage containers to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze extra portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months, leaving some space for expansion.
• Label containers with the date to track freshness and prevent food waste.

Hearty Beef Stew Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty beef stew from grandma’s kitchen delivers rich, comforting flavors perfect for chilly evenings. Tender meat and robust vegetables simmer together, creating a memorable meal you’ll savor to the last spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) beef stew meat

Vegetables:

• 4 carrots, chopped
• 4 potatoes, cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 4 cups (946 milliliters) beef broth
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) red wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious Dutch oven at medium-high temperature, methodically searing meat segments until golden brown and caramelized on all surfaces, transferring browned pieces to a separate plate.
2. In the same pot, gently sweat chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, incorporating tomato paste and stirring continuously for approximately 60 seconds to intensify flavors.
3. Deglaze the cooking vessel with red wine, allowing liquid to reduce and concentrate, scraping accumulated browned bits from bottom of pot for enhanced depth.
4. Reintroduce seared meat to the pot, complementing with rich beef broth, aromatic thyme sprigs, and single bay leaf, raising temperature until mixture reaches a robust boil.
5. Reduce heat to low, cover pot securely, and allow stew to gently simmer for 90-120 minutes, ensuring meat becomes extraordinarily tender and succulent.
6. Incorporate chunky carrot pieces and diced potatoes, continuing to cook at low temperature for an additional 35-40 minutes until vegetables reach perfect tenderness.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, removing herb sprigs and bay leaf before presenting this hearty, comforting dish.

Notes

• Choose chuck roast or beef stew meat with good marbling for maximum tenderness and rich flavor.
• Brown meat in small batches to ensure proper caramelization and develop deep, complex taste without steaming the meat.
• Deglaze the pot with red wine to lift delicious browned bits from bottom, adding depth and complexity to the stew’s overall flavor profile.
• Adjust cooking liquid consistency by adding more broth if stew becomes too thick during long simmering process, maintaining ideal sauce texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 332 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg