Hearty & Delicious Beef Stew Recipe for Cozy Family Nights

Hearty beef stew brings comfort to chilly evenings with its rich, warm embrace.

Aromatic herbs and tender meat promise a delightful culinary journey.

Slow-cooked goodness fills your kitchen with irresistible scents that draw everyone close.

Rustic ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a symphony of flavors you’ll absolutely love.

Robust chunks of meat mingle with colorful vegetables, telling a story of traditional cooking.

Generations have treasured this classic dish for its soul-warming qualities.

Let’s uncover the magic that makes this stew an instant favorite.

Beef Stew Is A Warm Bowl Full Of Comforting Richness

Quick Weeknight Comfort: Whip up this hearty beef stew in under two hours, perfect for busy families craving a satisfying meal without spending all day in the kitchen.

Minimal Prep Effort: Brown the meat, chop some vegetables, and let the pot do the work – no complicated techniques required, making this recipe super approachable for home cooks of all skill levels.

Nutrition-Packed One-Pot Wonder: Loaded with protein-rich beef, nutrient-dense carrots, and filling potatoes, this stew delivers a balanced meal that keeps everyone full and happy with minimal dishes to clean afterward.

Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Equally great for casual family dinners or impressive enough to serve guests, this classic beef stew adapts easily to different dining scenarios and always receives rave reviews.

Beef Stew Ingredient Composition

• Beef Chuck: A tender, flavorful cut perfect for slow-cooking stews, ideally with good marbling for rich taste.
• Beef Broth: Provides deep, savory liquid foundation and enhances overall meat flavor.

• Carrots, Potatoes, Onion: Classic stew vegetables that add sweetness, texture, and hearty substance.
• Garlic: Brings aromatic depth and sharp, intense flavor to the dish.

• Tomato Paste: Adds rich umami flavor and helps thicken the stew.
• Bay Leaf: Contributes subtle herbal undertones and complexity.
• Thyme: Offers earthy, slightly minty herb notes that complement beef.
• Olive Oil: Creates initial sautéing base and helps develop initial flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing overall taste profile.

Preparing Beef Stew At Home

Step 1: Sizzle The Beef

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

Carefully place beef chunks into the hot oil and sear each side until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms, creating deep, rich flavors.

This browning process locks in the meat’s delicious juices and develops incredible depth.

Step 2: Create Aromatic Base

Remove beef from the pot and set aside.

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic
• Tomato paste

Stir ingredients until they release their fragrant aroma and become slightly caramelized, which will build a robust flavor foundation for the stew.

Step 3: Combine And Simmer

• Beef broth
• Bay leaf
• Fresh thyme

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to create a gentle, steady simmer.

This slow cooking method helps tenderize the meat and blend all flavors harmoniously.

Step 4: Add Hearty Vegetables

• Chopped carrots
• Cubed potatoes

Continue simmering for approximately 90 minutes, or until the beef becomes incredibly tender and vegetables are soft and absorbing all the delicious cooking liquid.

Step 5: Final Touch And Serve

Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Give the stew a final gentle stir, then ladle into warm bowls.

Serve immediately while steaming hot, offering a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.

Beef Stew – Tips For Full Flavor And Tender Meat

• Select well-marbled chuck roast or stew meat for maximum tenderness and rich flavor.
• Sear beef in batches to develop deep caramelization and lock in delicious flavors, avoiding overcrowding the pot.
• Sauté onions and garlic until golden to create a flavorful base that enhances the overall stew profile.
• Maintain a gentle simmer to break down tough meat fibers and ensure melt-in-your-mouth texture without toughening the protein.
• Add salt and pepper gradually, tasting throughout cooking to build complex, balanced flavors without overwhelming the dish.

Beef Stew: How to Keep It Fresh and Warm It Up

• Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Pour cooled stew into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months for longer storage.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Transfer stew to a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in short intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and maintain the stew's rich texture.

Satisfying Sides for Hearty Beef Stew

• Complement Hearty Beef Stew with Rich Red Wine: Choose a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot that matches the robust beef flavors, cutting through the stew's richness and enhancing its deep, savory profile.
• Pair with Crusty Artisan Bread: Select a rustic sourdough or country-style bread with a crispy exterior to soak up the delicious stew liquid, adding textural contrast and extra comfort to the meal.
• Elevate with Fresh Herbed Salad: Create a light mixed green salad with fresh herbs like parsley and dill, dressed in a tangy vinaigrette to provide a bright, acidic counterpoint to the hearty stew.
• Serve Alongside Roasted Root Vegetables: Prepare simple roasted parsnips or golden beets to complement the stew's root vegetable base, adding another layer of earthy, caramelized flavor to the dining experience.

Hearty Beef Stew with Other Versions

• Vegetarian Hearty Stew: Replace beef with firm tofu or seitan cubes, using vegetable broth for a plant-based protein-packed meal that maintains the rich, comforting texture.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Edition: Swap regular flour (if used for coating) with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive eaters.
• Low-Carb Keto Adaptation: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower chunks and add extra low-carb vegetables like zucchini or turnips to keep the nutritional profile high while reducing carbohydrate content.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Variation: Incorporate red wine instead of broth, add olives, rosemary, and swap some root vegetables with bell peppers for a Mediterranean flavor profile that brings exotic notes to the traditional stew.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, you can substitute beef with lamb, pork, or even chicken for a different flavor profile.

• What if I don't have fresh herbs?

Dried herbs work perfectly fine. Use about 1/3 of the amount of fresh herbs called for in the recipe.

• Is it necessary to sear the meat before slow cooking?

Searing creates a rich, caramelized exterior that adds depth of flavor to the stew. While not mandatory, it significantly enhances the overall taste of the dish.

• Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! After searing the meat and sautéing the vegetables, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours until the meat is tender.

Beef Stew Recipe

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Beef Stew brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, delivering rich flavors that warm your soul. Slow-simmered tender meat mingles with robust vegetables, creating a classic meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 lbs (907 grams) beef chuck, cubed

Vegetables:

• 3 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Liquid and Seasonings:

• 4 cups (946 milliliters) beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• Salt
• Pepper

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Instructions

1. Create a deep mahogany sear on beef cubes in a hot, oil-coated Dutch oven, developing rich caramelized surfaces.
2. Transfer seared meat to a plate, then transform the same pot into a fragrant landscape by sweating onions and garlic with vibrant tomato paste until aromas intensify.
3. Reintroduce the beef into the pot, flooding with hearty broth and infusing delicate bay leaf and earthy thyme, then elevate heat to generate a robust boil.
4. Gently nestle chunky carrots and rustic potato pieces into the liquid, reduce temperature to a gentle simmer, and allow the stew to leisurely transform for approximately 90 minutes until meat becomes meltingly tender.
5. Taste and calibrate seasoning with salt and cracked pepper, ensuring a harmonious flavor profile.
6. Ladle the steaming, rich stew into deep bowls, serving immediately to capture maximum warmth and intensity of flavors.

Notes

• Choose high-quality, marbled beef chuck for maximum tenderness and rich flavor when slow-cooking.
• Pat beef dry before searing to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in juicy flavors.
• Low and slow cooking helps break down tough muscle fibers, creating melt-in-your-mouth beef texture.
• For gluten-free adaptation, replace regular broth with certified gluten-free broth and verify all ingredient labels.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg