Ultimate Beef Stew Recipe

Ultimate Beef Stew Recipe: Comfort Food Perfection

There's nothing quite like a hearty bowl of beef stew on a cold day. This beef stew recipe is a classic, featuring tender chunks of beef, flavorful vegetables, and a rich, savory broth. It's the perfect comfort food and surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner cooks.

This beef stew recipe guides you through creating a deeply satisfying meal that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend gathering. Slow cooking allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a stew that's both flavorful and incredibly comforting.

Keywords

• Beef stew recipe
• Beef stew
• Stew recipe
• Comfort food
• Easy beef stew
• Slow cooker stew
• Winter recipe
• Hearty stew
• Beef stew ingredients

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup frozen peas
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

1. Sear the beef: Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
2. Sauté the vegetables: Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste and cook for another minute.
3. Deglaze the pot: If using red wine, pour it into the pot and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Cook for a minute or two until the wine has reduced slightly.
4. Combine ingredients: Return the beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth. Add the dried thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2-2.5 hours, or until the beef is very tender.
5. Add potatoes: Add the cubed potatoes to the stew and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
6. Thicken the stew (optional): If you want a thicker stew, whisk the all-purpose flour with a little cold water to form a slurry. Stir the slurry into the stew and simmer for a few minutes until thickened.
7. Add peas: Stir in the frozen peas and cook for a few minutes until heated through.
8. Season and serve: Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious beef stew!

Tips and Variations

• For a richer flavor, use bone-in beef chuck.
• You can add other vegetables, such as parsnips, turnips, or mushrooms.
• For a slow cooker version, sear the beef as directed, then transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
• Serve with crusty bread for dipping into the delicious broth.

Enjoy your Beef Stew!

We hope you enjoyed this beef stew recipe. Happy cooking!