Description
Hearty old fashioned beef stew from Midwestern kitchens delivers comfort in each spoonful. Rich beef chunks, root vegetables, and aromatic herbs simmer together, creating a classic meal you’ll savor with pure satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) beef stew meat, cut into chunks
- 4 large potatoes, diced
- 4 large carrots, sliced
- 1 large onion, chopped
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Seasonings and Extras:
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and thoroughly sear beef cubes until golden brown on all exterior surfaces, creating a rich caramelized crust.
- Transfer browned meat to a temporary plate, leaving behind flavorful drippings in the pot.
- Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in the same pot until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Dust flour over the aromatic vegetables, stirring continuously to coat and prevent burning, which helps thicken the stew’s base.
- Gradually pour beef broth into the pot, whisking methodically to eliminate potential flour clumps and create a smooth liquid foundation.
- Reintroduce seared beef to the pot, then incorporate carrots, potatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
- Elevate temperature to achieve a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce heat to low, covering the pot and allowing the stew to simmer gently for 2-2.5 hours.
- Periodically check liquid levels and beef tenderness, adjusting heat if necessary to maintain a consistent, gentle bubbling.
- Once meat becomes fork-tender and vegetables are soft, remove bay leaf and allow stew to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added brightness and visual appeal.
Notes
- Perfectly brown the beef at high heat to develop a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in deep flavor and creates a beautiful golden crust.
- Choose tough, well-marbled cuts like chuck roast or bottom round for maximum tenderness and rich beef flavor during the long, slow cooking process.
- Resist stirring too frequently while simmering to allow the stew to develop complex, layered flavors and prevent breaking down the meat’s texture.
- Customize the stew by adding root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for extra depth, or make it gluten-free by substituting cornstarch for flour when thickening.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 354 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg