Best Beef Stew Recipe

This classic stick-to-your-ribs stew is the ideal project for a chilly weekend. Beef, onion, carrots, potatoes and red wine come together in cozy harmony. If you are feeding a crowd, good news: It doubles (or triples) beautifully.

best beef stew recipe

Beef Stew Recipe

best beef stew recipe

This easy beef stew recipe is a family favorite. Tender veggies and beef in a rich brown broth!

Prep: 20min

Total: 90min

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 444 kcal, Carbohydrate 22 g, Protein 25 g, Fat 28 g, Saturated Fat 9 g, Cholesterol 80 mg, Sodium 383 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 4 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds stewing beef (trimmed and cubed)
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion (chopped)
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • ½ cup red wine (optional)
  • 1 pound potatoes (peeled and cubed)
  • 4 carrots (cut into 1 inch pieces)
  • 4 stalks celery (cut into 1 inch pieces)
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or 1 sprig fresh)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • ¾ cup peas

Instruction:

  1. Combine flour, garlic powder and salt & pepper. Toss beef in flour mixture.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot. Cook the beef and onions until browned.
  3. Add beef broth and red wine while scraping up any brown bits in the pan.
  4. Stir in all remaining ingredients except for peas, cornstarch and water. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer 1 hour or until beef is tender (up to 90 minutes).
  5. Mix equal parts cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Slowly add the slurry to the boiling stew to reach desired consistency (you may not need all of the slurry).
  6. Stir in peas and simmer 5-10 minutes before serving . Season with salt & pepper to taste.

Beef Stew with Carrots & Potatoes

best beef stew recipe

This classic French beef stew is the ultimate cold weather comfort food. After a few hours in the oven, the meat becomes meltingly tender and enveloped in a rich wine sauce.

Total: 3h30min

Yield: 6

Nutrition Facts: servingSize , calories 539, Fat 18g, Carbohydrate 32g, Protein 54g, Saturated Fat 6g, unSaturated Fat , Sugar 8g, Fiber 4g, Sodium 1189mg, Cholesterol 143mg

Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds boneless beef chuck (well-marbled), cut into 1½-inch pieces
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 medium yellow onions, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 7 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1½ tablespoons tomato paste
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups dry red wine
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1½ teaspoons sugar
  • 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks on a diagonal
  • 1 pound small white boiling potatoes (baby yukons), cut in half
  • Fresh chopped parsley, for serving (optional)

Instruction:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and set a rack in the lower middle position.
  2. Pat the beef dry and season with the salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Brown the meat in 3 batches, turning with tongs, for about 5 minutes per batch; add one tablespoon more oil for each batch. (To sear the meat properly, do not crowd the pan and let the meat develop a nice brown crust before turning with tongs.) Transfer the meat to a large plate and set aside.
  3. Add the onions, garlic and balsamic vinegar; cook, stirring with a wooden spoon and scraping the brown bits from bottom of the pan, for about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for a minute more. Add the beef with its juices back to the pan and sprinkle with the flour. Stir with wooden spoon until the flour is dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the wine, beef broth, water, bay leaf, thyme, and sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon to loosen any brown bits from the bottom of the pan and bring to a boil. Cover the pot with a lid, transfer to the preheated oven, and braise for 2 hours.
  4. Remove the pot from the oven and add the carrots and potatoes. Cover and place back in oven for about an hour more, or until the vegetables are cooked, the broth is thickened, and the meat is tender. Fish out the bay leaf and discard, then taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Serve the stew warm — or let it come to room temperature and then store in the refrigerator overnight or until ready to serve. This stew improves in flavor if made at least 1 day ahead. Reheat, covered, over medium heat or in a 350°F oven. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
  5. Note: If you don’t have a Dutch oven or covered pot that is appropriate for the oven, the stew can be cooked on the stove. The timing will be the same and it should be cooked over the lowest setting.
  6. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The stew can be frozen for up to 3 months. Before serving, defrost the stew in the refrigerator for 24 hours and then reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat until hot.

The BEST Beef Stew Recipe – Hundreds of 5-Star Reviews!!

FAQ

What is the secret to good stew?

Give stew plenty of time

For most types of stew, it takes time to develop great flavor. Stew uses collagen-rich, tough cuts of meat, which need at least two hours to break down. If you try to rush it and boil the stew, the muscle fibers will shrink and become tough. So give yourself a few hours to let it do its thing.

What can I add to beef stew to make it taste better?

Here are 10 ways to really boost the flavor of chili and stew.
  1. Season as you go. …
  2. Include dried mushrooms. …
  3. Stir in caramelized onions. …
  4. Swap in roasted garlic. …
  5. Simmer with whole spices. …
  6. Up the umami with miso paste. …
  7. Spice it up. …
  8. Stir in a spoonful of fish sauce.

What is the secret to tender beef stew?

The most important key to making stew meat tender is being sure to cook it for a long time. If you want super tender beef, you’ll need to cook it on a low heat in a Dutch oven on the stove or a slow cooker for at least a few hours.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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