Easy Beef Stew

Beef stew is one of the best comfort foods during the cold sweater weather months. This steamy and heart-warming recipe for beef stew is easy, flavorful, and bursting with an awesome kick of different spices!

Beef stew is a classic, easy-to-make dish perfect for those days when you need something warm and hearty. Made with tender chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and a rich, savory broth, it's a meal that comes together with minimal effort. Ideal for feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, this beef stew is both satisfying and straightforward.

This easy beef stew recipe is not only tasty but nourishing; it has all your body needs to feel energized and satisfied.

Ingredients

Don't get intimidated by the number of ingredients, this comforting dish is very easy to do!

Beef. The main ingredient for beef stew is, of course, beef. The best meat comes from the beef's front shoulder, also known as the chuck, but the rear round is fantastic too. These cuts of meat are tough, but trust me, after a few hours simmering in a flavorful broth, they become fork-tender and juicy.

Vegetables: onions, celery, potatoes, carrots, mushrooms and garlic. They all come together with a few tablespoons of tomato paste. And there's more, a splash of full-bodied red wine (this is my secret) really elevates the dish to new pleasurable heights.

Herbs & Spices. Your herbs and spices are the difference between a tasty beef stew recipe and a fantastic meal. Bay leaf, rosemary, thyme, Italian parsley, and marjoram add a wide range of fresh, aromatic herbs to the stew, really enhancing both the broth and the meat's flavor. This is restaurant quality right here without losing the classic home-cooked flavors of a good stew.

I also like to add a teaspoon of paprika. It might not look like much, but it gives color and a nice mild spiciness to the beef stew. I've tried making mine with and without paprika, and I can say you don't want to skip it.

Broth. Finally, you might want to use broth and season your stew to your taste. Adjust with salt and freshly cracked black peppercorns to taste. I add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce to amp up the flavors a bit, another little secret you can use!

Steps

1. Combine beef stew spices in a bowl. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in a pot on medium heat. Lightly fry the beef, do not overcrowd, work on batches if necessary. Also sprinkle it with a little bit of the beef stew spices. Once done, remove from the pot and set aside.
3. Saute onion, celery, mushrooms and garlic until soft and fragrant. Add tomato paste and stir. Add the red wine, broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and the remaining beef stew spices. Bring it to a boil. Add the beef and simmer over low heat for 1 hour or more.
4. Add the potatoes and carrots and cook until soft. Make the slurry by combining ¼ cup water and the cornstarch. Add to the stew until thickened. Sprinkle with fresh parsley.

What To Serve With Beef Stew?

Beef stew is a whole one-pot meal and it goes well with bread or rice. Having said that, it's always nice to have a fresh loaf of artisan bread at the table. Nothing too fancy, just freshly made, fluffy bread. Try this no-knead bread.

Helpful Tips

• Choosing the Beef: Opt for cuts like chuck roast or beef stew meat with some marbling for the best flavor. Leaner cuts may not provide the same richness.
• Wine Substitute: If you prefer not to use red wine, substitute with an equal amount of beef broth or water.
• Storage: Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
• Thickening: For a thicker consistency, increase the amount of cornstarch slurry or reduce the liquid by simmering uncovered for the last 15 minutes.

You might also like:

• Potato Corn Chowder with Bacon
• Easy Kimchi Stew
• Broccoli Cheddar Soup

📝Recipe Card