Cozy Beef Pumpkin Stew Recipe: Fall’s Heartwarming Magic

Crafting a hearty beef pumpkin stew brings warmth to chilly autumn evenings.

Savory aromas will drift through your kitchen, promising comfort in every spoonful.

Rich, tender meat melds beautifully with smooth pumpkin’s earthy notes.

Spices dance across your palate, creating a symphony of robust flavors.

Seasonal ingredients combine to deliver a deeply satisfying meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Each bite tells a story of rustic cooking and nourishing traditions.

Let this stew become your new cold-weather companion and transform an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience.

Main Parts Of Beef Pumpkin Stew

• Beef Stew Meat, Chuck Roast: Rich, tender meat perfect for slow cooking and absorbing deep flavors. Choose well-marbled cuts for maximum tenderness and rich taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps create a smooth, thick stew texture. Helps coat meat and thicken sauce during cooking.

• Yellow Onion, Garlic: Classic aromatics that build foundational flavor. Onions provide sweetness, garlic adds depth and complexity.

• Beef Stock, Worcestershire Sauce: Provides rich, savory liquid base for stew. Beef stock creates depth, Worcestershire adds umami and complexity.

• Pumpkin Puree: Adds creamy texture and subtle sweetness. Use pure pumpkin puree, not pie filling.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Thyme: Essential seasonings for balanced flavor. Salt enhances overall taste, pepper adds mild heat, thyme provides herbal notes.

• Potatoes, Carrots: Hearty vegetables that add nutrition and substance. Potatoes provide creamy texture, carrots add natural sweetness and color.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps with initial meat searing. Use unsalted butter for better control of seasoning.

Beef Pumpkin Stew Recipe Instructions

Step 1: Coat Beef with Flour

Take beef pieces and generously dust them with flour, gently shaking off any excess coating to ensure a light, even layer that will help create a delicious golden crust.

Step 2: Brown Beef in Butter

Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat until melted and bubbling.

Carefully place flour-coated beef into the pot, browning each side to develop a rich, caramelized exterior.

Once beautifully browned, remove beef and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté until vegetables become soft and translucent, releasing their wonderful fragrant flavors.

Step 4: Create Flavorful Liquid Base

• Beef stock
• Pumpkin puree
• Worcestershire sauce
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir ingredients thoroughly to create a smooth, well-blended liquid foundation for the stew.

Step 5: Simmer Beef

Return browned beef to the pot.

Bring mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and let simmer gently for one hour, allowing beef to become tender and absorb surrounding flavors.

Step 6: Add Root Vegetables and Herbs

• Diced potatoes
• Chopped carrots
• Fresh thyme sprigs

Continue simmering for additional 45 minutes until vegetables become fork-tender and beef reaches perfect tenderness.

Step 7: Final Seasoning and Serving

Taste the stew and adjust seasonings as needed.

Ensure flavors are balanced and robust before serving this warm, comforting dish.

Beef Pumpkin Stew Cooking Tricks

• Dredge beef thoroughly in flour to create a delicious crispy exterior that helps thicken the stew and locks in rich flavors.
• Use medium-high heat when browning beef to develop a deep golden crust without burning, which adds complexity to the stew's taste.
• Replace potatoes with sweet potatoes for a lower-carb option or add parsnips for extra earthy sweetness and nutritional variety.
• Crush dried thyme between your fingers before adding to release more intense aromatics and boost the overall herbaceous profile of the stew.
• This stew tastes even better the next day, so consider preparing it in advance and reheating – the flavors will meld and intensify overnight.

Beef Pumpkin Stew How To Keep It Tasty The Next Day

• Store leftover beef pumpkin stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Pour cooled stew into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion, and freeze up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Splash a little beef stock or water while reheating to restore the stew's original moisture and prevent dryness.

Dish Companions for Beef Pumpkin Stew

• Harvest Red Wine Pairing: Rich Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot complements the hearty beef and pumpkin flavors, cutting through the stew's richness with deep, robust notes.
• Rustic Bread Companion: Crusty sourdough or rustic whole grain bread provides perfect texture for soaking up the flavorful stew liquid, adding delightful crunch and warmth.
• Herbaceous Side Salad: Fresh mixed greens with a light vinaigrette balances the stew's warmth, offering crisp acidity and refreshing contrast to the dense, comforting main dish.
• Creamy Finish: Tangy goat cheese crumbles or a dollop of sour cream can be sprinkled on top, adding creamy brightness and subtle tang that elevates the stew's complex flavors.

Beef Pumpkin Stew Variants

• Vegetarian Pumpkin Stew: Replace beef with hearty lentils or mixed beans for a protein-packed plant-based version that maintains the rich, warming flavors of the original recipe.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour for dredging, ensuring those with wheat sensitivities can enjoy the stew without compromising texture.
• Slow Cooker Method: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning beef, cook on low for 6-8 hours for convenient, hands-off preparation that develops deep, melding flavors.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap potatoes with cauliflower chunks or turnips to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the stew's comforting essence intact.

FAQs

• Is this stew good for cold weather?

Yes, this hearty beef and pumpkin stew is perfect for chilly autumn and winter days, providing warmth and comfort with its rich, satisfying flavors.

• Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of puree?

Absolutely! Roast and mash fresh pumpkin as a replacement. Just ensure it’s smooth and similar in consistency to canned pumpkin puree.

• What type of beef works best for this stew?

Chuck roast or stew meat are ideal. These cuts have enough marbling to become tender during slow cooking and hold up well in the stew.

• Do I need to use fresh thyme or can dried work?

Both fresh and dried thyme work great. If using dried, use about one-third the amount of fresh thyme called for in the recipe.

Beef Pumpkin Stew That’s Earthy, Bold, And Comforting

• Comforting Fall Favorite: Warm, hearty stew that captures autumn's essence with rich beef and sweet pumpkin flavors.
• Quick Weeknight Meal: Requires only one pot and simple ingredients, making preparation straightforward and cleanup easy with minimal cooking steps.
• Nutrient-Packed Dinner: Combines protein-rich beef with vitamin-loaded pumpkin and vegetables, delivering a balanced, wholesome meal that supports healthy eating without sacrificing taste.
• Seasonal Adaptability: Perfect for cool weather gatherings, transforming standard beef stew into a festive dish that feels special yet remains incredibly approachable for home cooks.

Beef Pumpkin Stew Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty Brazilian beef pumpkin stew brings rustic comfort from Brazil’s countryside kitchens, blending rich meat with sweet pumpkin in a soul-warming embrace. Rich layers of flavor invite home cooks to savor this traditional culinary treasure that connects generations through one delicious bowl.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 pounds beef stew meat or chuck roast
• 3 cups pumpkin puree
• 3 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 1 tablespoon kosher or sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3–4 thyme sprigs
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Cooking Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef stock or broth

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Instructions

1. Coat beef cubes thoroughly with flour, ensuring excess is completely removed for a clean, even coating.
2. Heat butter in a large pot over medium flame, carefully brown beef pieces on all sides to develop rich, deep flavor, then transfer meat to a separate plate.
3. Using the same pot, sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and fragrant, releasing their aromatic essence.
4. Pour beef stock into the pot, whisking in smooth pumpkin puree, creating a luxurious base. Add Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, stirring until ingredients are fully incorporated.
5. Gently return browned beef to the pot, allowing liquid to reach a rolling boil before reducing heat to a gentle simmer.
6. Let the stew cook undisturbed for approximately one hour, allowing meat to become increasingly tender and flavors to meld.
7. Introduce cubed potatoes, sliced carrots, and fresh thyme sprigs into the simmering liquid, continuing to cook for an additional 45 minutes.
8. Periodically test meat and vegetable tenderness, ensuring they reach a soft, melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
9. Taste and adjust seasonings, balancing flavors with additional salt, pepper, or herbs as needed before serving the hearty stew.

Notes

• Flour coating helps create a golden crust and thickens the stew’s sauce, preventing meat from becoming tough.
• Choose chuck roast or stew meat for maximum tenderness and rich flavor that breaks down during slow cooking.
• Low and slow simmering is crucial for developing deep, complex flavors and transforming tough meat into melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Consider using gluten-free flour for dredging if preparing for celiac or gluten-sensitive guests, maintaining the same browning technique.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg