Description
Hearty no-peek beef stew delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen with tender meat melting into rich, savory gravy. Slow-cooked perfection promises warm satisfaction that pulls you close with each deeply flavored spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) beef chuck roast, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
Vegetables:
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon flour (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high temperature. Sear beef chunks in batches without overcrowding, developing a rich golden crust for approximately 5 minutes per batch. Transfer browned meat to a separate plate.
- Using the same pot, sauté onions and garlic until aromatic and translucent, approximately 2-3 minutes. Deglaze with a splash of broth, scraping accumulated flavor bits from the pot’s bottom.
- Reintroduce browned beef to the pot. Add carrots, potatoes, diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Thoroughly incorporate all ingredients, ensuring even distribution.
- Elevate to a gentle simmer, then securely cover with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce heat to low, allowing the stew to slow-cook undisturbed for 2.5-3 hours. Resist lifting the lid to maintain moisture and concentrate flavors.
- After cooking, verify beef’s tenderness by testing with a fork. Remove bay leaves and assess seasoning, adjusting with salt and pepper as desired. If the liquid appears thin, whisk in flour and simmer an additional 10-15 minutes to achieve desired consistency.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by thoroughly patting beef dry before browning to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust that seals in rich, deep flavors.
- Select chuck roast or beef stew meat with good marbling for maximum tenderness and melt-in-your-mouth texture during long, slow cooking.
- Control liquid consistency by adding flour gradually or using cornstarch slurry if you prefer a gluten-free thickening method for the stew.
- Elevate dish with optional flavor boosters like a splash of red wine during deglazing or adding smoked paprika for deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg