Simple Yet Hearty Beef Stew Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Hearty beef stew simmers with rich, comforting flavors that transport you straight to a cozy kitchen on a chilly evening.

Robust chunks of tender meat mingle with vibrant vegetables, creating a symphony of taste and texture.

The aroma fills every corner of your home, promising warmth and satisfaction.

Generations have cherished this classic dish, passing down treasured techniques from one cook to another.

Sitting around a rustic table, savoring each spoonful of this soul-warming meal.

Colorful ingredients blend together, telling a story of tradition and love.

You’ll want to pull out your largest pot and start this delicious culinary adventure right now.

What You Need For Beef Stew Recipe

• Beef Cubes: Hearty meat that provides rich flavor and protein, choose well-marbled chuck or stew meat for tender results.

• Olive Oil: Helps sear meat and create a flavorful base, use extra virgin for best taste and high smoke point.

• Flour, Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika: Essential coating that helps create a golden crust, adds depth of flavor and helps thicken the stew, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum flavor.

How To Cook Beef Stew Recipe Step By Step

Step 1: Prepare Seasoned Beef

Grab a mixing bowl and sprinkle flour over beef cubes. Add a generous pinch of salt, a dash of black pepper, and a light dusting of paprika. Gently toss the beef until each piece is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture, creating a delicious flavor shield.

Step 2: Sizzle and Brown

Place a large, sturdy pot on the stove and drizzle olive oil across the bottom. Crank the heat to medium-high and let the oil shimmer and dance. Carefully add beef cubes in small batches, allowing each piece breathing room. Let the meat sear and develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust, turning occasionally to ensure even coloring. This process should take about 3-4 minutes per side, creating a mouthwatering exterior that locks in all the juicy flavors.

Step 3: Prepare for Simmering

Once the beef cubes are beautifully browned, transfer them to a waiting plate. The pot will now be filled with delicious caramelized bits – these are flavor treasures that will make your stew incredible. Keep the beef nearby as we’ll be adding it back into the pot soon.

Step 4: Build the Flavor Base

Without cleaning the pot, you’ll start creating the stew’s rich foundation. Keep the same pot with those wonderful browned bits ready for the next magical cooking steps.

Top Tips For Making Beef Stew Recipe

• Flour Power: Coat beef cubes evenly with flour mixture to create a delicious golden crust and help thicken the stew's sauce naturally.
• Searing Secrets: Brown meat in small batches to ensure each piece develops a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in incredible flavor.
• Oil Temperature Trick: Use medium-high heat to achieve perfect searing without burning the meat or creating bitter flavors.
• Batch Cooking Technique: Avoid overcrowding the pot when searing beef, which prevents steaming and ensures beautiful golden-brown color.
• Flavor Layering Tip: Allow meat to rest after searing to retain juices and develop deep, complex taste throughout the stew.

How To Store And Reheat Beef Stew Recipe

• Refrigerate: Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Properly stored, it maintains quality for up to 3 months.
• Reheat Stovetop: Gently warm stew in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add a splash of broth or water to restore moisture if needed.
• Microwave Option: Place stew in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming and prevent cold spots.

What Pairs Well With Beef Stew Recipe

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Complement the rich, hearty beef stew with a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, whose deep tannins and full-bodied flavor enhance the savory meat and earthy notes.
• Serve with Crusty Artisan Bread: Grab a rustic sourdough or country-style bread to soak up the flavorful stew broth, adding a delightful textural contrast and extra comfort to each bite.
• Match with Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Create a classic comfort food combination by serving the stew over smooth, buttery mashed potatoes that absorb the delicious sauce and provide a silky accompaniment.
• Add Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or thyme on top to brighten the dish with a light, aromatic touch that cuts through the stew's richness and adds a pop of color.

Tasty Twists On Beef Stew Recipe

• Mediterranean Marvel: Swap beef cubes with lamb and add kalamata olives, diced eggplant, and fresh rosemary for a Greek-inspired stew bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
• Spicy Southwest Splash: Replace traditional seasonings with chili powder, cumin, and add diced green chilies and corn kernels to create a zesty Tex-Mex version that brings heat and excitement to the classic recipe.
• Winter Comfort Blend: Incorporate root vegetables like parsnips and turnips alongside traditional carrots, then stir in a splash of red wine and fresh thyme to elevate the stew's depth and warmth.
• Hearty Mushroom Fusion: Mix in a variety of wild mushrooms like porcini, shiitake, and cremini, then splash in some soy sauce and aged balsamic vinegar to create an umami-rich vegetarian-friendly alternative that maintains the stew's rich, satisfying texture.

FAQs For Beef Stew Recipe Lovers

• Why do I need to coat the beef in flour before cooking?

Coating the beef in flour helps create a delicious golden crust and thickens the stew sauce, giving it a rich, velvety texture that locks in the meat’s natural flavors.

• What if I don't have paprika for the beef seasoning?

No worries! You can substitute with other spices like chili powder or cayenne pepper for a similar depth of flavor. The key is to add some warmth and complexity to the meat’s seasoning.

• How do I know when the beef is properly seared?

Look for a deep golden-brown color and crispy edges. The searing process creates those amazing caramelized bits that add incredible flavor to your stew, so don’t rush this step.

• Can I use a different type of meat instead of beef?

While beef is traditional, you can experiment with lamb or pork cubes. Just make sure to choose a cut that’s suitable for slow cooking to ensure tender, melt-in-your-mouth results.

Why Beef Stew Recipe Warms You From The Inside

• Unleash Rich Flavor Layers: Every bite bursts with deep, complex tastes from perfectly seasoned beef cubes coated in a blend of flour, salt, pepper, and paprika, creating a mouthwatering depth that transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.
• Master Simple Searing Technique: The method of browning beef in batches over medium-high heat develops a gorgeous caramelized exterior, locking in juices and creating a restaurant-quality crust that elevates home cooking.
• Quick and Hearty Comfort: This stew promises a satisfying meal that comes together with minimal prep work, making it ideal for busy weeknights or lazy weekend dinners when you crave something warm, filling, and deliciously uncomplicated.
• No-Fuss Cooking Style: With straightforward steps and basic ingredients, this recipe welcomes home cooks of all skill levels, allowing even kitchen beginners to produce a professional-tasting dish without stress or complicated techniques.

Beef Stew Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty beef stew brings comfort and warmth to dinner tables across North America. Rich, tender meat and root vegetables simmer together, creating a robust meal that satisfies deep hunger and warms winter nights.

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Ingredients

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Beef:

• 2 lbs (900 g) beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes

Vegetables:

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 medium carrots, sliced
• 3 medium potatoes, diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 cup (150 g) frozen peas (optional)

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups (1 L) beef broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) red wine (or additional beef broth)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Coat the beef cubes thoroughly with a seasoned flour mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly dusted with a blend of flour, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
2. Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over medium-high heat, creating a shimmering surface that’s ready for searing.
3. Carefully introduce the seasoned beef into the hot oil, working in batches to prevent overcrowding, and allow each side to develop a rich, caramelized crust for approximately 3-4 minutes.
4. Transfer the beautifully browned meat to a separate plate, reserving the flavorful fond at the bottom of the pot for future steps.
5. In the same pot, sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and release their aromatic essence.
6. Deglaze the pot with red wine or beef broth, scraping up the delectable browned bits that cling to the bottom, which will intensify the stew’s deep, complex flavor.
7. Return the seared beef to the pot, nestling the pieces among the liquid and aromatics.
8. Add diced carrots, potatoes, celery, tomato paste, and herbs like thyme and bay leaves to build layers of robust flavor.
9. Pour in additional beef broth, ensuring the ingredients are mostly submerged, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
10. Cover and let the stew slowly cook, allowing the meat to become tender and the flavors to meld together, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
11. Once the beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft, remove the bay leaves and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
12. Let the stew rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to settle.

Notes

• Choose tough, marbled cuts like chuck roast for maximum tenderness and rich flavor when slow-cooking.
• Pat beef cubes completely dry with paper towels before flouring to ensure crispy, golden-brown searing without steaming.
• Avoid overcrowding the pot during searing, which can lower temperature and prevent proper caramelization of meat surfaces.
• Add a splash of red wine during deglazing to enhance depth and complexity of the stew’s overall taste profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Searing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg