Hearty Beef Stew Recipe: A Family-Favorite Meal

Looking for a hearty and comforting beef stew recipe that will warm your heart on chilly evenings? Beef stew is perfect for busy days as it can be prepared in advance, stored in the fridge or freezer, and then easily reheated. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal steps, you'll have a delicious meal ready to serve in no time. This article provides an easy-to-follow recipe along with cooking times, ingredient lists, and tips on how to make the best beef stew.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs bone-in chuck steak
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 4 stalks celery, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional)
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• Tiny bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• Oregano, thyme, rosemary, or your favorite herbs (to taste)
• 1 cup frozen pearl onions (optional)

Cooking Time: 4 hours on low heat; total time for preparation and cooking is about 3.5 to 4 hours.

Servings: Makes approximately 8 servings of beef stew.

Step-by-Step Preparation Guide

To begin, start by preheating your slow cooker or large pot over medium heat. You want the heat to be moderate so as not to burn the ingredients. Heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan and then add the beef chuck steak slices into the oil.

Once seared until browned on all sides, remove the chunks of meat from the pot or slow cooker and set them aside. Next, take your onion and sauté it gently for about two minutes before adding the garlic, carrots, and celery to the pan. Stir continuously ensuring everything gets well incorporated with the vegetables.

After mincing some garlic and sautéing the onions, move all ingredients into your prepared slow cooker or pot if using one. Then mix in the beef broth, red wine (if desired), tomato paste, herbs like thyme, oregano, and bay leaf along with a couple of tablespoons of flour. Season everything generously with salt and pepper before adding back in the seared chuck steak.

Cover your slow cooker or pot, place it on low heat, and leave for several hours – approximately 4 hours - until the beef is fork-tender. Stir occasionally during cooking to ensure even browning if using a pot instead of a slow cooker. The liquid should reduce significantly leaving behind a rich sauce that coats each piece of meat beautifully.

Once done, you can transfer the contents into serving bowls or plates for immediate consumption. If you wish to have extra flavor and texture, you may add some pearl onions just before finishing up with the stew.

Tips and Tricks

• Choose Quality Ingredients: Higher quality cuts of meat will yield better results since they’re more likely to break down during long cooking times. Opt for chuck or brisket over sirloin steak; these pieces have enough connective tissue that turns into gelatin upon prolonged simmering.
• Don’t Overcook: Ensure the beef reaches a fork-tender state without drying out completely. If the meat starts to appear dry, consider adding more liquid such as additional broth or wine towards the end of cooking time.
• Increase Depth of Flavor: For enhanced flavor, brown the vegetables and meats separately before combining them in the pot or slow cooker. This technique allows you to get a deeper caramelization which intensifies the overall taste profile of your stew.

The comforting aroma of beef stew filling up your kitchen will certainly make your family eager for dinner time! Whether served with crusty bread, rice, or noodles, this simple yet satisfying recipe can be adapted according to personal preferences and dietary needs. Try experimenting by adding different vegetables like potatoes or turnips; the possibilities are endless!