Easy Hearty Beef Stew Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

My grandmother’s hearty beef stew recipe carries generations of comfort and warmth through its rich, aromatic flavors.

Crisp winter afternoons always remind me of her kitchen’s welcoming atmosphere.

Tender meat chunks slowly simmer with robust vegetables, creating a soul-satisfying meal.

Robust seasonings dance together, promising deep, multilayered taste sensations in every spoonful.

Rustic ingredients blend seamlessly, telling stories of traditional cooking techniques passed down through decades.

Wholesome and filling, this classic dish speaks directly to hunger and nostalgia.

Come experience a recipe that feels like a culinary hug from the past.

FAQs

• What cuts of beef work best for this stew?

Chuck roast or bottom round are ideal because they’re tough, flavorful cuts that become tender with slow cooking. These meats have excellent marbling that breaks down during long simmering, creating rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Why is browning the meat important?

Browning creates a caramelized exterior that develops deep, complex flavor through the Maillard reaction. This process adds rich, savory notes to the entire stew and helps seal in the meat’s natural juices.

• Can I make this stew in a slow cooker?

Yes, absolutely. After browning the meat and sautéing vegetables, transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the beef is tender and falls apart easily.

• How can I prevent the vegetables from becoming mushy?

Add softer vegetables like peas later in the cooking process. For root vegetables like carrots and potatoes, cut them into uniform, medium-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and maintain their texture throughout the stewing process.

Beef Stew That Brings Cozy Flavor to the Table

Quick and Comforting Meal: Whip up this hearty beef stew that transforms simple ingredients into a soul-warming dinner perfect for chilly evenings.

Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: Spend just 30 minutes preparing, then let the stew simmer while you relax, creating deep, rich flavors with minimal hands-on cooking.

Versatile One-Pot Wonder: Easily adaptable recipe that works for weeknight dinners, weekend gatherings, or meal prepping – simply toss ingredients in a pot and let magic happen.

Nutrition-Packed Comfort Food: Load up on protein-rich beef, nutrient-dense vegetables, and wholesome ingredients that deliver both deliciousness and balanced nutrition in every satisfying spoonful.

Essentials for a Cozy Beef Stew Night

• Beef Stew Meat: Rich, tender protein that forms the heart of the stew, best when cut into uniform chunks for even cooking, chuck or round cuts work wonderfully.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that provides deep flavor foundation, fresh and firm produce preferred.
• Carrots, Potatoes, Celery: Hearty vegetables adding texture and robust earthiness, select firm and fresh seasonal produce.

• Beef Broth: Savory liquid providing depth and moisture, low-sodium versions allow better seasoning control.
• Red Wine: Optional ingredient for complex flavor enhancement, dry varieties like cabernet or merlot ideal.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that adds richness and slight acidity, helps thicken stew.
• Bay Leaves, Thyme, Rosemary: Dried herbs contributing earthy and complex herbal notes, fresh herbs can be substituted.

• Flour: Helps create smooth thickening slurry, all-purpose works best.
• Olive Oil: Used for initial browning and sautéing, provides subtle background flavor.
• Peas: Optional vegetable adding bright color and sweet taste, frozen or fresh acceptable.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning for balanced flavor profile.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional garnish for fresh, bright finish.

Beef Stew Hearty Simmering Guide

Step 1: Heat Up the Cooking Vessel

Grab a big pot or Dutch oven and pour in olive oil.

Crank up the heat to medium-high so the oil gets nice and hot.

This is where the magic begins for your hearty beef stew.

Step 2: Transform the Beef

Carefully drop beef chunks into the sizzling oil.

Work in batches to ensure each piece gets a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Use tongs to rotate the meat and create a delicious caramelized exterior.

Once perfectly browned, transfer the beef to a separate plate.

Step 3: Awaken the Aromatic Vegetables

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté until they become soft and fragrant.

• Chopped carrots
• Diced potatoes
• Sliced celery

Let these vegetables dance around the pot for several minutes, soaking up all the amazing flavors.

Step 4: Splash in Some Wine Magic

Pour red wine into the pot, creating a sizzling symphony.

Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those tasty browned bits stuck to the bottom.

Let the wine bubble and reduce for a couple of minutes.

Step 5: Build the Flavor Foundation

• Beef broth
• Tomato paste
• Bay leaves
• Fresh thyme
• Rosemary sprigs

Gently return the browned beef back into the pot.

Allow everything to come to a gentle simmer.

Step 6: Let Time Work Its Wonder

Cover the pot and let the stew slow cook.

Keep the heat low and let it bubble away for 1.5 to 2 hours.

The beef will become incredibly tender, and the vegetables will soak up all the incredible flavors.

Step 7: Thicken the Stew (Optional Technique)

Want a heartier consistency?

Whisk flour with cold water to create a smooth slurry.

Stir this into the stew and let it simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

Step 8: Final Flavor Flourish

Toss in frozen peas for a pop of color and sweetness.

Cook for a few more minutes.

Remove the bay leaves and taste.

Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to your liking.

Step 9: Serve and Celebrate

Ladle the steaming stew into bowls.

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a bright finish.

Serve alongside crusty bread or creamy mashed potatoes.

Enjoy your homemade comfort meal!

Stew Tips for Beef Dinner Perfection

• Brown beef in batches to develop rich, deep flavors and prevent steaming, which creates bland meat texture.
• Create a flour slurry for thickening stew if you prefer a heartier, more substantial sauce instead of a thin broth-like consistency.
• Select well-marbled beef chuck or stew meat cuts that break down slowly, ensuring tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat after long cooking.
• Use fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary instead of dried to boost aromatic complexity and provide brighter, more vibrant flavor profiles.
• Add delicate vegetables like peas during the final cooking stage to maintain their bright color and prevent overcooking.

Beef Stew Reheat Instructions

• Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Properly stored beef stew will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep temperature below 40°F to maintain freshness and safety.
• Transfer stew to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months for best quality. Label with date and contents.
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator, then warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally and add a splash of broth if needed to prevent drying. Heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

Coziest Matches for Hearty Beef Stew

• Pair Red Wine: Choose a bold, full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah to complement the rich, hearty beef flavors and match the wine's intensity.
• Serve with Rustic Bread: Grab a crusty sourdough or French baguette to soak up the delicious stew broth, adding texture and creating a complete dining experience.
• Match with Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Create a perfect side of smooth, buttery mashed potatoes that absorb the stew's savory sauce and provide a comforting base for the tender beef.
• Select Robust Beer: Enjoy a dark, malty beer like a Belgian Dubbel or Stout that echoes the deep, robust flavors of the beef stew and enhances the overall meal's warmth.

Beef Stew Hearty Options

• Hearty Vegetarian Stew: Replace beef with protein-packed chickpeas or lentils, using vegetable broth for a plant-based version that maintains rich flavors and satisfying texture.
• Low-Carb Keto-Friendly Stew: Swap potatoes with cauliflower chunks and reduce carrots, using extra beef and more low-carb vegetables like zucchini and mushrooms to keep the meal nutritionally dense.
• Slow Cooker Method: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning beef and sautéing vegetables, cooking on low for 6-8 hours for tender meat and deeper flavor development.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free and replacing regular broth with gluten-free certified broth.

Beef Stew Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty beef stew delivers comfort straight from traditional Irish kitchens, blending rich meat with tender vegetables in a soul-warming broth. Slow-simmered ingredients create a rustic feast that warms you from the inside out.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 2 lbs (0.9 kg) beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

Vegetables:

• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1 cup peas (optional)

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional, can substitute with extra beef broth)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons flour (optional, for thickening)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the protein by searing beef chunks in a heated, oil-coated Dutch oven, working in batches to achieve a rich, caramelized exterior. Transfer browned meat to a temporary plate.
2. In the same pot, transform aromatics by gently sweating onions and garlic until translucent, releasing their fragrant essence.
3. Introduce root vegetables – carrots, potatoes, and celery – allowing them to soften and develop a golden undertone, stirring periodically to prevent scorching.
4. Deglaze the cooking vessel with red wine, carefully lifting the concentrated flavor-packed remnants from the pot’s bottom, creating a complex flavor foundation.
5. Incorporate beef broth, tomato paste, and herb bouquet of bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary. Reintroduce the seared meat, creating a harmonious melding of ingredients.
6. Allow the stew to gently simmer, covered, for approximately two hours. The low, steady heat will transform tough meat fibers into tender, succulent morsels while infusing deep, rich flavors.
7. For those desiring a more substantial consistency, create a flour-based thickening agent by whisking cold water and flour into a smooth slurry, then integrating it into the bubbling stew.
8. Introduce sweet green peas during the final moments of cooking, providing a burst of color and fresh flavor contrast.
9. Finish by removing herb remnants, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper, and presenting the aromatic stew garnished with fresh parsley, accompanied by rustic bread or creamy mashed potatoes.

Notes

• Enhance meat tenderness by selecting chuck roast or short ribs with good marbling for richer flavor.
• Patience matters when browning beef; avoid overcrowding the pot to achieve deep caramelization and develop complex taste layers.
• Create gluten-free version by replacing wheat flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder for thickening the stew.
• Customize vegetable selection based on seasonal availability or personal preferences while maintaining similar cooking times and textures.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg