Hearty Beef Pumpkin Stew Recipe: Cozy Fall Comfort in a Bowl

Crisp autumn winds herald a hearty beef pumpkin stew that warms you from the inside out.

Seasonal ingredients dance together in a rich, comforting melody of flavors.

Tender chunks of meat mingle with sweet, roasted pumpkin, creating a rustic dish perfect for chilly evenings.

Aromatic herbs and spices weave through each spoonful, promising a culinary adventure.

Robust and satisfying, this stew brings comfort to your table with minimal effort.

Simple ingredients transform into a memorable meal that connects you with traditional cooking.

Our straightforward recipe invites you to savor every delicious bite and embrace the season’s bounty.

Why Beef Pumpkin Stew Is a Hearty Favorite

• Savor Hearty Comfort: This beef pumpkin stew wraps you in warm, satisfying flavors perfect for cozy meals that feel like a culinary hug.
• Craft Seasonal Delight: Packed with autumn-inspired ingredients like pumpkin and root vegetables, the recipe celebrates seasonal produce in one delicious pot.
• Simplify Cooking Process: With straightforward steps and minimal ingredients, home cooks of all skill levels can create a rich, complex-tasting meal without complicated techniques.
• Boost Nutritional Value: Combining lean protein from beef, vitamins from vegetables, and nutrient-dense pumpkin, this stew delivers a balanced, wholesome dining experience.

Ingredients for Beef Pumpkin Stew

• Beef: A hearty meat that provides rich flavor and substance to the stew.

• Pumpkin, Potatoes, Carrots, Onion, Garlic: A colorful mix of root vegetables that add depth, sweetness, and nutritional value to the dish.

• Thyme Sprigs: An aromatic herb that brings earthy and slightly minty notes to the stew.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
• Worcestershire Sauce: A tangy condiment that adds complexity and umami flavor.

• Beef Stock: A flavorful liquid base that helps tenderize the meat and create a rich broth.
• Butter: Provides a smooth, rich foundation for browning the beef and sautéing vegetables.
• Flour: Used to coat the beef, helping to create a golden crust and thicken the stew.

How to Cook Beef Pumpkin Stew

Step 1: Prepare Beef for Browning

Grab your beef chunks and dust them evenly with flour, gently shaking off any excess powder to create a light, even coating that will help develop a rich, golden crust during cooking.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Heat butter in a large pot over medium warmth.

Carefully add beef chunks, working in batches to ensure each piece browns beautifully without overcrowding.

This process develops deep, caramelized flavors that will make your stew extraordinary.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Toss chopped onions and minced garlic into the pot with the browned beef.

Sauté these ingredients until they become soft, translucent, and release their fragrant oils, creating a delicious flavor foundation.

Step 4: Create Stew Base

Pour in beef stock and pumpkin puree, stirring thoroughly to blend these rich, comforting ingredients.

The pumpkin will add a velvety texture and subtle sweetness to your stew.

Step 5: Season and Add Vegetables

• Worcestershire sauce
• Salt
• Black pepper

Add chunky potatoes, sliced carrots, and fresh thyme sprigs to introduce layers of flavor and texture.

Step 6: Simmer to Perfection

Bring the stew to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.

Let it bubble slowly for 1.5 to 2 hours, allowing the beef to become meltingly tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 7: Final Touch and Serve

Remove thyme sprigs and taste the stew.

Adjust seasonings as needed, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors.

Ladle into warm bowls and enjoy this comforting, hearty meal.

Pro Tips for Tender Beef Pumpkin Stew

• Dust beef lightly with flour to create a crispy exterior and help thicken the stew's sauce naturally.
• Brown meat in small batches to ensure each piece develops a deep, rich caramelized color without overcrowding the pot.
• Use fresh thyme sprigs for a subtle, earthy flavor that complements the beef and pumpkin perfectly.
• Cook the stew on low heat for 1.5-2 hours to tenderize tough beef cuts and allow flavors to meld together beautifully.
• Replace beef with hearty mushrooms or plant-based protein to create a delicious vegetarian version of this comforting stew.

Variations on Beef Pumpkin Stew

• Vegetarian Pumpkin Stew: Replace beef with hearty lentils or mushrooms, maintaining the rich, warming flavor profile while creating a plant-based alternative.
• Lamb and Pumpkin Casserole: Swap beef for tender lamb chunks, adding a deeper, more robust meat option that complements the seasonal pumpkin sweetness.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use cornstarch instead of flour for coating the meat, ensuring those with wheat sensitivities can enjoy the same comforting meal.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets, reducing carbohydrate content while keeping the stew's classic texture and warmth.

Serving Suggestions for Beef Pumpkin Stew

• Rustic Family Dinner Night: Gather everyone around the table and serve this hearty stew with warm, crusty bread for dipping into the rich sauce.
• Cozy Autumn Comfort Platter: Pair the stew with a crisp green salad and roasted root vegetables to create a complete, warming meal that celebrates seasonal flavors.
• Elegant Garnish Style: Top each serving with fresh chopped parsley, a dollop of sour cream, or crumbled goat cheese to add a creamy and bright finishing touch.
• Weekend Meal Prep Magic: Portion leftover stew into containers for quick lunches during the week, as the flavors will develop and become even more delicious after a day or two in the refrigerator.

How to Store Beef Pumpkin Stew Safely

• Transfer cooled stew into airtight containers, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep portions separate for easy reheating.
• Pack stew in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Label with date and contents. Freeze up to 3 months for best quality.
• Place individual portion in microwave-safe dish, cover with microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Heat on medium power, stirring occasionally, until steaming hot throughout.
• Pour stew into saucepan, add splash of beef stock to prevent sticking. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until heated completely. Check temperature to ensure even reheating.

FAQs

• Is this stew good for meal prep?

Yes, beef pumpkin stew is excellent for meal prep. It keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and often tastes even better the next day as flavors develop.

• Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of puree?

Absolutely! Dice fresh pumpkin into cubes and replace the puree. Just ensure you cook it longer to soften the fresh pumpkin pieces completely.

• What type of beef works best for this stew?

Chuck roast or beef chuck are ideal. These cuts have more fat and connective tissue that break down during slow cooking, making the meat incredibly tender and flavorful.

Beef Pumpkin Stew Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty beef pumpkin stew brings rustic Mexican flavors to your autumn table, blending tender meat with rich seasonal spices. Warm comfort awaits with each spoonful of this soul-satisfying meal that connects you to traditional culinary heritage.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) beef stew meat or chuck roast

Vegetables:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 pound (0.45 kilograms) carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 cups pumpkin puree

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) butter
• 4 cups (946 milliliters) beef stock or broth
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) kosher or sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3–4 thyme sprigs

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Instructions

1. Dust beef cubes with flour, ensuring even coating and removing any excess powder.
2. Heat butter in a large pot over medium-high temperature (around 350°F), searing beef pieces until golden brown on all sides, working in multiple batches to prevent overcrowding.
3. Introduce finely diced onions and crushed garlic into the pot, sautéing until translucent and fragrant, approximately 4-5 minutes.
4. Pour beef stock and smooth pumpkin puree into the pot, whisking thoroughly to create a uniform base.
5. Enhance flavor profile with Worcestershire sauce, incorporating salt and freshly ground black pepper for depth. Add diced potatoes, sliced carrots, and whole thyme sprigs.
6. Elevate heat to generate a robust boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, covering the pot and allowing the stew to slowly develop flavors for 90-120 minutes until beef becomes extraordinarily tender and vegetables soften.
7. Delicately extract thyme sprigs, taste and fine-tune seasoning as needed, then ladle into warm serving bowls.

Notes

• Dust beef lightly with flour to create a crispy, golden exterior that helps seal in moisture and adds rich flavor to the stew.
• Brown meat in small batches to ensure each piece develops a deep caramelized crust, preventing steaming and enhancing overall taste.
• Swap beef with plant-based protein like jackfruit or seitan for a vegetarian version that maintains the hearty texture and warming spices.
• Use sweet potato instead of regular potatoes to boost nutritional value and add a subtle sweetness that complements the pumpkin’s earthy notes.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 358 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1040 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 31 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg