Hearty Beef Stew Recipe: A Warm Comfort Meal

Beef stew is a popular dish that can be enjoyed by the whole family on cold winter nights or as a hearty meal for busy days. This classic recipe provides warmth and satisfaction, making it perfect for any occasion.

This beef stew recipe serves four people and takes about 2 hours to prepare from start to finish. The cooking time includes browning meat, simmering, and resting. It's essential to plan ahead as you'll need at least two hours of time for this meal. Here’s how to make delicious beef stew.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds beef stew meat (top round or chuck), cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 3 cups)
• 1 cup beef broth or low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 fresh thyme sprigs (optional)
• Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season them lightly with salt and pepper.

2. Add the beef to the hot oil in batches without overcrowding; you may need to do this in two or three batches depending on your pot size. Brown well on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Remove the browned beef from the pot as it is done and set aside.

3. Reduce heat to medium-low, add remaining 2 tablespoons of oil if needed, and sauté onions and garlic until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir frequently so they do not burn.

4. Add the carrots and cook for another 4 minutes or until lightly browned.

5. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir to coat them well with the flour mixture. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, for about a minute; this will create a roux which helps thicken our stew.

6. Pour in beef broth or low-sodium chicken broth gradually while stirring continuously until all has been incorporated into the mixture. Stir in tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Return the browned meat to the pot along with any juices that may have accumulated.

7. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce heat to very low. Cover tightly and let it simmer slowly for about 1 hour or until the beef is fork-tender when pierced by a fork. Stir occasionally during the first half of cooking time, but once it's mostly tender you can minimize stirring.

8. Add potatoes towards the end of your cooking process (around 30 minutes), so they cook through properly without becoming mushy.

9. Once cooked to perfection, remove bay leaves before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary with salt and pepper.

Serving Suggestions

To serve, ladle the beef stew into bowls and garnish each portion with a sprinkle of chopped parsley for an extra touch. Serve with crusty bread or garlic bread on the side to soak up all those delicious juices!

Beef stew is not only comforting but also incredibly versatile! You can experiment by adding other root vegetables such as turnips, parsnips, or rutabaga according to your preference. Feel free to use different types of meat like lamb or pork for variety.

Storage and Reheating

This dish is best enjoyed fresh but leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you want to save some for later, portion out cooled stew into airtight containers and freeze it for future use. Thawed beef stew can be reheated either on the stovetop or in an oven until heated through.

Beef Stew: A warm comfort meal that everyone will love. Whether you're looking for something cozy to enjoy during winter evenings or a satisfying go-to dish when time is short, this recipe has got it covered! Try making this comforting beef stew today and see how much your family enjoys it.