Hearty Beef Stew Recipe: Cozy Comfort in Every Spoonful

Cold winter nights call for a hearty beef stew recipe that warms you from the inside out.

Rich, tender chunks of meat simmer slowly in a deeply flavored broth packed with vegetables.

Each spoonful brings comfort and nostalgia, blending robust herbs and slow-cooked goodness.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dish, passing down techniques that create incredible depth of flavor.

Carefully selected ingredients transform simple beef into a memorable meal that feels like a warm embrace.

The aroma alone will draw everyone to the kitchen, eager to taste this soul-satisfying stew.

This recipe promises a delicious journey through traditional comfort food that everyone will love.

Helpful Tips for Making Great Beef Stew

• Pat beef chunks completely dry before flouring to ensure a perfect, crispy exterior that locks in rich, meaty flavors.
• Space beef pieces apart in the pot, allowing each chunk to develop a deep golden-brown crust without steaming.
• Use homemade beef broth or add a splash of red wine while deglazing to intensify the stew's complex, savory profile.
• Create a cornstarch slurry with cold water to thicken the stew smoothly without lumps, ensuring a silky, restaurant-quality texture.
• Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme just before serving to brighten the dish and add a vibrant, aromatic finish.

How to Store and Reheat Beef Stew Properly

• Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth. Refrigerated stew stays fresh for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen beef stew maintains quality for 2-3 months.
• Place stew in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Pour stew into a pot over medium-low heat. Add a splash of broth or water to prevent sticking. Stir occasionally and heat gently until warmed through, about 10-15 minutes. This method helps maintain the stew's original texture and flavor.

Tasty Pairing Ideas for Beef Stew

• Match Robust Red Wine: Select a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah that complements the rich beef flavors, cutting through the stew's hearty texture while enhancing its deep, meaty profile.
• Complement with Crusty Bread: Serve a thick slice of rustic sourdough or French baguette to soak up the delicious stew juices, providing a satisfying textural contrast and extra comfort.
• Brighten with Fresh Salad: Prepare a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette to balance the stew's richness, adding a refreshing counterpoint that cleanses the palate between hearty bites.
• Add Tangy Side Pickle: Include quick-pickled vegetables like radishes or cucumber to introduce a zesty, acidic element that cuts through the stew's deep, savory notes and provides a palate-awakening crunch.

Easy Ways to Change Up Beef Stew

• Lean Protein Swap: Replace beef with chicken thighs or turkey chunks for a lighter protein option while maintaining similar cooking techniques.
• Vegetarian Hearty Stew: Substitute beef with cremini mushrooms, tempeh, or plant-based meat alternatives, keeping the same braising method and spice profile.
• Low-Carb Keto Version: Remove potatoes and replace with radishes or turnips, using cauliflower as an additional vegetable to maintain volume and nutrition.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free flour for coating beef, swap regular Worcestershire sauce with gluten-free version, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate sensitive diets.

FAQs

• Why do I need to brown the beef in batches?

Browning in batches ensures each piece gets a perfect caramelized crust, developing deep flavor. Overcrowding the pot causes steaming instead of browning, which reduces the rich taste of the meat.

• What does flour do when coating the beef?

Flour serves two purposes – it creates a crispy exterior when browning and helps thicken the stew naturally, giving it a rich, velvety texture.

• Can I use different herbs if I don't have thyme?

While thyme is traditional, you can substitute with rosemary or oregano. Each herb will bring a slightly different flavor profile to the beef stew, so choose based on your preference.

• How do I know when the beef is tender?

The beef is perfectly tender when it easily pulls apart with a fork and feels soft when you bite into it. This typically happens after slow cooking for 1.5-2 hours, allowing the tough muscle fibers to break down completely.

Why You’ll Enjoy This Beef Stew Recipe

• Discover a hearty beef stew that delivers rich, deep flavors through careful browning and slow cooking techniques.
• Master a simple, step-by-step approach that guarantees tender meat and perfectly developed taste, even for novice home cooks.
• Create a complete meal in a single pot, minimizing cleanup and maximizing convenience for busy families and weeknight dinners.
• Easily adapt the recipe by swapping vegetables or adjusting seasonings to suit personal preferences and dietary needs.

Everything You Need for Beef Stew

• Beef Chuck: A hearty cut perfect for slow cooking and developing rich flavors.
• Flour: Helps create a golden crust and thickens the stew naturally.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing the beef's natural taste.

• Onion, Whole Garlic Cloves: Provide a deep, sweet underlying flavor to the stew.
• Worcestershire Sauce, Tomato Paste: Add depth and umami to the overall dish.
• Thyme, Bay Leaves: Classic herbs that infuse the stew with earthy and warm notes.

• Beef Broth: Creates the base liquid for slow simmering and building complex flavors.
• Butter, Olive Oil: Help with browning meat and adding richness to the stew.
• Potatoes, Carrots: Classic root vegetables that become tender and absorb the stew's rich flavors.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides a bright, fresh finishing touch to the hearty dish.
• Cornstarch: Optional thickening agent to adjust the stew's consistency if needed.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Beef Stew

Step 1: Prepare Beef

Coat beef chunks with flour, salt, and pepper.

This coating creates a delightful crust and helps thicken the stew during cooking.

Step 2: Sear Meat Perfectly

Heat oil in a large pot.

Brown beef in separate batches to ensure each piece gets a beautiful golden color.

Avoid overcrowding the pot to prevent steaming instead of browning.

Step 3: Extract Flavor Bits

Remove beef and use broth to scrape up the golden, caramelized bits stuck to the bottom of the pot.

These bits are packed with intense flavor.

Step 4: Create Aromatic Base

• Diced onions
• Garlic

Stir in Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste until the mixture becomes thick and fragrant.

Step 5: Combine Liquids and Herbs

• Thyme
• Bay leaves
• Quartered onion
• Whole garlic cloves

Simmer on low heat for 1.5 hours to develop deep, rich flavors.

Step 6: Roast with Vegetables

• Potatoes
• Carrots

Cover and transfer to oven preheated to 300°F.

Bake for approximately one hour until vegetables become tender.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Taste and adjust seasonings.

If needed, create a quick cornstarch slurry to thicken the stew.

Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a bright, fresh finish.

Beef Stew Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty beef stew promises comfort and warmth with rich, tender meat simmered in robust herbs and vegetables. Rustic flavors blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this classic, soul-satisfying meal.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef Ingredients:

• 2 pounds beef stewing meat, trimmed and cut into 2–3 inch cubes

Seasoning and Flour:

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, peeled and finely diced
• 1 medium onion, cut into quarters
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 whole cloves garlic
• 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch rounds
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 pound mini red potatoes, peeled and halved
• 8 ounces baby Bella mushrooms, cleaned, stems removed, and caps halved

Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups low-sodium beef broth, with more as needed
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 bunch fresh thyme
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the beef by coating chunks with seasoned flour, ensuring an even, light dusting that will create a delectable caramelized exterior when seared.
2. Heat oil in a large pot and methodically brown meat in separate batches, allowing each piece to develop a rich, golden crust without overcrowding the cooking surface.
3. Remove browned beef and deglaze the pot with broth, scraping up all the concentrated flavor-packed browned bits clinging to the bottom.
4. Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in butter until aromatic, then incorporate Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste to create a robust flavor foundation.
5. Pour in broth and introduce thyme, bay leaves, whole garlic cloves, and additional onion quarters, then simmer gently for approximately 90 minutes to develop deep, complex flavors.
6. Introduce root vegetables like carrots and potatoes, then transfer the covered pot to a preheated 300°F oven and roast for roughly one hour until vegetables become tender and meat is meltingly soft.
7. Evaluate the stew’s seasoning, adjusting as needed. If the consistency appears thin, whisk a quick cornstarch slurry to thicken. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Flour power helps create a delectable crust and thickens the stew naturally, giving extra texture and depth to your dish.
• Patience is key when browning beef, working in small batches ensures perfect caramelization and prevents steaming, unlocking maximum flavor potential.
• Scraping those golden bits from the pot introduces intense umami and rich background notes that elevate the entire stew’s complexity.
• Slow cooking transforms tough beef cuts into meltingly tender morsels, breaking down connective tissues and infusing each bite with incredible richness.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg