The Heartiest Beef Stew Recipe for Soul-Warming Comfort

When winter’s chill settles in, a hearty beef stew recipe warms the soul like nothing else.

Rich, tender chunks of meat simmer alongside colorful vegetables in a deeply flavorful broth.

The aroma fills your kitchen with comfort and nostalgia.

Slow-cooked to perfection, this classic dish brings together simple ingredients in an extraordinary way.

Each spoonful promises a delightful blend of savory flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Robust and satisfying, this stew transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Gather around the table and savor every delicious bite of this timeless comfort food.

Beef Stew, Saved For Later – How To Store

• Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring it's completely cooled before sealing.
• Pour cooled stew into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 4 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Transfer desired portion to a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warm.

FAQs

• Why brown the beef before slow cooking?

Browning caramelizes the meat’s surface, creating deeper, richer flavors and adding a delicious golden crust that enhances the overall taste of the stew.

• Can I use different vegetables?

Absolutely! Feel free to swap vegetables based on your preference or what’s available. Root vegetables like parsnips or turnips work great, and you can add mushrooms for extra earthiness.

• How do I know when the beef is tender?

The beef is ready when it easily falls apart with a fork and can be cut without resistance. This typically happens after slow cooking for several hours, allowing the tough muscle fibers to break down.

Beef Stew: Classic, Cozy, Always Welcome

• Simplify Meal Prep: This hearty beef stew requires minimal chopping and basic seasoning, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without complicated steps.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with tender beef, soft vegetables, and rich broth, this stew offers a warm, satisfying meal that appeals to both kids and adults, ideal for family dinners.
• Versatile Cooking Methods: Whether you prefer a slow cooker, stovetop, or traditional pot, this recipe adapts to your kitchen setup, giving you flexibility without compromising flavor.
• One-Pot Wonder: Combine all ingredients in a single pot, reducing cleanup time and making this dish a go-to solution for those who want minimal kitchen mess and maximum taste.

What Goes Into Beef Stew Magic

• Beef Cubes: A hearty and flavorful meat that provides the primary protein and rich taste for the stew.

• Potatoes, Carrots, Onion, Celery, Garlic: These vegetables add depth of flavor, texture, and essential nutrients to the stew, creating a well-balanced and comforting dish.

• Beef Broth: Provides a rich, savory foundation for the stew's liquid component.
• Tomato Paste: Adds a concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the stew.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a tangy and umami depth to the overall flavor profile.
• Bay Leaves: Contribute a subtle, earthy aroma and complexity to the stew.

• Olive Oil: Used for browning the beef and adding a light, fresh flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the beef and vegetables.
• Flour: Helps thicken the stew and create a more robust texture.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides a bright, fresh garnish to finish the dish.

Step-By-Step: Simple Stew Method

Step 1: Sear Succulent Beef Cubes

Grab your beef cubes and sprinkle them generously with salt and black pepper.

Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat.

Carefully place the seasoned beef into the sizzling pan, allowing each side to develop a beautiful golden-brown crust.

This step locks in incredible flavor and creates a rich foundation for your stew.

Step 2: Transfer Beef to Cooking Vessel

Move the beautifully browned beef cubes into a slow cooker or large Dutch oven, ensuring you capture all those delicious caramelized bits from the skillet.

Step 3: Chop and Add Hearty Vegetables

• Potatoes (chunky cuts)
• Carrots (sliced)
• Onions (roughly chopped)
• Celery (diced)
• Garlic (minced)

Tumble these colorful ingredients right on top of the beef.

Step 4: Create Flavor-Packed Liquid Base

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

Pour this magical mixture over the beef and vegetables, stirring gently to combine all ingredients.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

• Low setting: 7-8 hours
• High setting: 4-5 hours

Stovetop method: Simmer gently for 2-3 hours until beef becomes meltingly tender.

Step 6: Thicken and Finish Stew

Thirty minutes before serving, create a quick slurry by mixing flour with water.

Stir this into the stew to achieve a rich, velvety consistency.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for a burst of color and fresh flavor.

Serve piping hot in deep bowls with crusty bread on the side.

Beef Stew: Cozy Tips For Big Flavor

• Sear beef cubes at high heat to create a delicious caramelized crust that locks in rich, deep flavors.
• Replace potatoes with sweet potatoes or parsnips for a unique twist and added nutritional value.
• Use cornstarch instead of flour for a gluten-free option that creates a silky, smooth stew consistency.
• Choose reduced-sodium beef broth and control salt levels by seasoning gradually during cooking.
• Add chopped fresh thyme or rosemary alongside parsley for an extra aromatic and herbaceous touch.

Stew Switch-Ups: Seasonal Variations

• Vegetarian Hearty Stew: Replace beef with firm tofu, tempeh, or seitan cubes, using vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a plant-based version.
• Lamb Rustic Stew: Substitute beef with tender lamb chunks, maintaining similar seasoning and cooking method for a rich Mediterranean-style dish.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Stew: Use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening, ensure Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free, and check all ingredients for gluten contamination.
• Low-Carb Protein Stew: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets, increase meat quantity, and reduce overall vegetable content to create a keto-friendly alternative.

The Best Sides For Beef Stew

• Rustic Bread Pairing: Serve alongside crusty sourdough or French bread to soak up the delicious stew broth, adding extra texture and flavor to each hearty bite.
• Cozy Side Salad: Complement the rich beef stew with a light, crisp green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette to balance the meal's warmth and heaviness.
• Herb Sprinkle Magic: Enhance the stew's depth by generously garnishing with freshly chopped parsley, chives, or thyme, which will brighten the dish and add a fresh aromatic touch.
• Wine Companion: Pair with a robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to elevate the beef's rich flavor and create a sophisticated dining experience.

Beef Stew Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Beef Stew delivers classic comfort with tender meat simmered in rich, velvety gravy. Rustic ingredients meld together, creating a soul-warming meal that connects you to generations of home cooking traditions.

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Ingredients

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Meat and Protein:

• 2 pounds beef chuck (cubed)

Vegetables:

• 1 large onion (diced)
• 3 large carrots (sliced)
• 2 ribs celery (sliced)
• 4 medium potatoes (cut into chunks)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
• Crusty bread

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Instructions

1. Liberally coat beef chunks with salt and pepper, then sear in hot olive oil until golden brown and caramelized on all surfaces.
2. Carefully transfer browned meat to a slow cooker or heavy-bottomed pot, preserving the flavorful cooking juices.
3. Layer chopped potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, and minced garlic over the beef, creating a colorful vegetable foundation.
4. Whisk together beef broth, tangy tomato paste, rich Worcestershire sauce, and aromatic bay leaves in a separate mixing bowl.
5. Gently pour the liquid mixture over the meat and vegetables, ensuring complete coverage and thorough integration of flavors.
6. Slow cook at low temperature (195°F) for 7-8 hours or high temperature (225°F) for 4-5 hours, alternatively simmer on stovetop for 2-3 hours until meat becomes fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
7. To enhance stew’s consistency, create a quick slurry by blending flour with cool water, then fold into the stew approximately 30 minutes before serving to achieve desired thickness.
8. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for a vibrant finish and serve piping hot.

Notes

• Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for maximum tenderness and rich flavor.
• Brown meat in batches to ensure deep caramelization and prevent steaming, which develops more complex taste.
• Allow extra cooking time if using tougher meat cuts to help break down connective tissues and create melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder when thickening the stew.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 355 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 460 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg