Easy Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe: A Cozy Comfort Classic

Hearty beef stew with tender chunks of meat simmering in a rich, savory broth has been a comfort food staple for generations.

This classic old fashioned beef stew recipe brings warmth and nostalgia to your dinner table with its deep, satisfying flavors.

Slow-cooked meats melt into a thick, aromatic sauce that promises pure culinary comfort.

Robust root vegetables add depth and texture to every spoonful of this traditional dish.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this simple yet delicious meal that speaks to the heart of rustic cooking.

Each bite tells a story of home, tradition, and love simmered to perfection.

You’ll want to gather around the table and savor every comforting spoonful of this timeless stew.

Why Old Fashioned Beef Stew Hits the Spot

• Dive into Old Fashioned Beef Stew's Delights
• Carefully seasoning and browning beef creates incredible depth, transforming simple ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece that makes every bite extraordinary.
• Minimal cleanup and straightforward cooking steps mean you'll spend less time washing dishes and more time enjoying a delicious, satisfying meal with minimal kitchen hassle.
• Generous simmering allows meat to become incredibly soft while blending spices and vegetables into a rich, harmonious symphony of flavors that warm your soul and delight your taste buds.
• Perfect for cozy family dinners, this stew appeals to all ages, offering nutritious ingredients and comforting textures that everyone from kids to grandparents will absolutely love.

Ingredients for Old Fashioned Beef Stew

• Beef Stew Meat: Tender cut perfect for slow cooking and developing rich, deep flavors.

• Cornstarch, Water: Helps create a silky, rich sauce that coats the meat and vegetables.

• Garlic: Adds a pungent, warming depth to the stew.
• Tomato Paste: Enhances color and provides a concentrated, slightly sweet tomato flavor.
• Sugar: Balances the savory elements and helps caramelize the ingredients.
• Basil, Oregano, Parsley: Provides classic herbal notes that complement the beef.
• Paprika, Allspice: Adds warmth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.

• Beef Broth: Creates the foundational liquid for the stew.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a tangy, umami depth to the dish.
• Olive Oil: Used for browning the meat and adding a subtle richness.

• Potatoes, Pearl Onions, Carrots, Celery: Provide texture, nutrition, and additional layers of flavor to the stew.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential for bringing out and balancing the overall taste of the dish.

Steps to Make Old Fashioned Beef Stew

Step 1: Prepare Beef for Searing

Coat beef stew meat with cornstarch, salt, and pepper.

This technique creates a delicious golden crust that locks in incredible flavor and helps meat brown beautifully.

Step 2: Create Golden Beef Crust

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

Add beef in small batches to prevent steaming.

Sear meat for approximately 5 minutes, rotating to ensure even browning on all sides.

Each piece should develop a rich, caramel-colored exterior.

Step 3: Enhance Flavor Base

Toss minced garlic and tomato paste into the pot with browned beef.

Stir continuously for 2 minutes until fragrant.

This step builds a deep, complex flavor foundation for the stew.

Step 4: Unlock Pot’s Hidden Flavors

Pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce into the pot.

Carefully scrape all browned bits from the bottom, incorporating those concentrated flavor compounds into the liquid.

Step 5: Combine Hearty Vegetables

• Potatoes
• Pearl onions
• Carrots
• Celery

• Sugar
• Basil
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Paprika
• Allspice

Stir ingredients and bring to a gentle boil.

Step 6: Create Tender Meat Magic

Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer for 90 to 120 minutes.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

This slow cooking process transforms tough meat into melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.

Step 7: Create Luxurious Stew Texture

Mix remaining cornstarch with cold water until smooth.

Slowly pour into stew while stirring constantly.

Allow to cook for additional minutes until sauce reaches desired thickness.

Step 8: Final Flavor Refinement

Taste stew and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.

Serve hot and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of this classic beef stew.

Tips to Nail Old Fashioned Beef Stew

• Dust beef with cornstarch before browning to create a delicious golden crust that locks in rich, deep flavors and provides perfect texture.
• Sear beef in batches over medium-high heat, ensuring each piece develops a beautiful caramelized exterior without steaming, which guarantees maximum taste intensity.
• Scrape up browned bits from pot bottom when adding broth and Worcestershire sauce, as these delicious remnants create incredible depth and complexity in your stew's overall flavor profile.
• Slowly mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to stew, stirring continuously to create a smooth, silky sauce without lumps, ensuring perfect thickness every time.
• Allow stew to simmer low and slow for 90-120 minutes, which transforms tough meat into meltingly tender bites and allows herbs and spices to fully blend and develop rich, harmonious flavors.

Storing & Reheating Beef Stew

• Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Cool the stew completely before storing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal securely, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
• Place stew in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power, stirring every 30 seconds until heated through. Add a splash of broth if the stew seems dry.
• Pour stew into a saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a little beef broth or water to prevent sticking and maintain moisture. Heat until steaming and reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.

What to Serve with Beef Stew

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah that matches the rich, hearty flavors of the beef stew, cutting through the meat's richness with its tannic structure.
• Complement with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Serve thick slices of rustic sourdough bread alongside the stew, perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth and adding a delightful textural contrast to the tender meat and vegetables.
• Match with Creamy Horseradish Sauce: Prepare a zesty horseradish cream sauce on the side, providing a sharp, tangy counterpoint that brightens the deep, warming flavors of the traditional beef stew.
• Enhance with Crisp Green Salad: Create a light, refreshing green salad with a bright vinaigrette to balance the stew's heaviness, offering a fresh palate cleanser between hearty bites.

Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe Ideas

• Lean Protein Version: Swap beef with turkey or chicken for a lower-fat alternative that maintains the hearty stew texture and flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Comfort Bowl: Replace beef with firm tofu, seitan, or mixed mushrooms to create a protein-packed plant-based version that mirrors the original stew's richness.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use cornstarch as a thickener and ensure all ingredients like Worcestershire sauce are certified gluten-free to accommodate sensitive diets.
• Slow Cooker Method: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning meat, cook on low for 6-8 hours for a hands-off approach that delivers tender, deeply flavored results.

FAQs

• Why should I brown the beef before simmering?

Browning the beef creates a rich, caramelized crust that develops deep, complex flavors. This process, called the Maillard reaction, adds a delicious depth to the stew that you can’t achieve by simply boiling the meat.

• Can I use a different cut of beef for this stew?

Definitely! Chuck roast, bottom round, or stew meat work perfectly. These tougher cuts have more connective tissue that breaks down during long cooking, making the meat incredibly tender and flavorful.

• Do I need to use fresh herbs, or can I use dried?

Dried herbs work great in this recipe. If using dried herbs, use about one-third the amount of fresh herbs. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, use 1 teaspoon dried parsley.

• How do I know when the beef is tender enough?

The beef is ready when it falls apart easily with a fork and can be cut with minimal effort. This typically happens after 90-120 minutes of slow simmering, which allows the tough muscle fibers to break down completely.

Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty old fashioned beef stew brings comfort and warmth from classic American kitchens, simmering with tender beef chunks and rich, robust flavors. Rustic ingredients and slow-cooking techniques promise a satisfying meal that connects you directly to traditional home cooking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 lbs (907 grams) beef stew meat (cubed chuck roast)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1.5 lbs (680 grams) red potatoes, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 10 ounces (283 grams) pearl onions
• 4 medium carrots, sliced
• 4 medium celery ribs, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Liquid Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 cup cold water

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Instructions

1. Prepare the beef by coating it with half the cornstarch, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful crust during cooking.
2. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat and sear the beef in batches, ensuring each piece develops a rich brown exterior for maximum flavor intensity.
3. Introduce minced garlic and tomato paste to the browned meat, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes to release aromatic compounds and deepen the stew’s color.
4. Deglaze the pot with beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, carefully scraping up the caramelized bits from the bottom to incorporate intense flavor.
5. Add potatoes, pearl onions, carrots, and celery to the liquid. Sprinkle in sugar, basil, oregano, parsley, paprika, and allspice, mixing thoroughly.
6. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 90-120 minutes at 325°F, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
7. Create a cornstarch slurry with cold water, then gradually incorporate it into the stew to transform the liquid into a luxurious, velvety sauce.
8. Perform a final seasoning check, adjusting salt and pepper to perfect the flavor profile of the hearty stew.

Notes

• Choose chuck roast or beef stew meat with good marbling for maximum tenderness and rich flavor during slow cooking.
• Pat meat dry before searing to ensure a deep golden-brown crust that locks in juices and develops complex flavor profiles.
• Maintain a gentle simmer to break down tough muscle fibers, creating meltingly tender beef without toughening the meat.
• Swap root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for added depth, or include seasonal produce to customize the stew’s character.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 375
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg