The Coziest Beef Stew Recipe for Heartwarming Comfort

Hearty beef stew brings comfort and warmth to chilly evenings, wrapping you in a blanket of rich, savory flavors.

Tender chunks of meat slowly simmer with colorful vegetables, creating a robust meal that speaks directly to your soul.

Aromatic herbs and carefully selected spices dance together, promising a delightful culinary experience.

Each spoonful tells a story of traditional cooking techniques passed down through generations.

Rustic and wholesome, this classic dish transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Families gather around the table, eagerly anticipating the first delicious bite of this satisfying meal.

Beef Stew Overview

• Savor Hearty Comfort: This beef stew delivers rich, warming flavors perfect for satisfying hungry families with a classic, soul-nourishing meal.
• Master Easy Cooking: Beginner cooks can confidently create this one-pot wonder by following simple steps that require minimal kitchen skills and basic ingredients.
• Customize Your Meal: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping vegetables, adjusting seasonings, or adding personal touches to make the stew uniquely yours.
• Prepare Ahead Friendly: This make-ahead recipe allows busy home cooks to prepare the stew in advance, letting flavors develop and ensuring a stress-free mealtime.

Beef Stew Ingredients

• Beef Chuck Roast: A flavorful and tender cut perfect for slow-cooking stews.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that provides depth and richness to the stew's flavor profile.
• Carrots, Potatoes: Hearty vegetables that add nutrition and substance to the dish.

• Beef Broth: Provides a rich, meaty foundation for the stew's liquid base.
• Olive Oil: Helps brown the meat and prevents sticking during initial cooking.
• Tomato Paste: Adds a concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the stew.
• Thyme, Bay Leaves: Classic herbs that enhance the overall savory taste of the beef stew.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps create a thicker, more luxurious texture when mixed with water.

How to Cook Beef Stew

Step 1: Sizzle and Brown the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Carefully add beef pieces and brown them on all sides, creating a delicious golden crust.

Work in batches to ensure even browning.

Transfer the browned beef to a plate and set aside.

Step 2: Saute Aromatic Base

• Onions
• Garlic

Saute until they become soft and fragrant.

Stir in tomato paste and cook for one minute to intensify the flavors.

Step 3: Build the Stew Foundation

• Beef broth
• Thyme
• Bay leaves
• Carrots
• Potatoes

Return the previously browned beef to the pot.

Stir everything together to combine.

Step 4: Slow Simmer to Perfection

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

Cover the pot and let it cook for 1.5 to 2 hours.

The beef will become incredibly tender and the flavors will meld beautifully.

Step 5: Final Touches and Thickening

Season the stew with salt and pepper to taste.

For a thicker consistency, create a quick slurry by mixing flour with a small amount of water.

Stir this mixture into the stew about 10 minutes before serving to achieve a rich, velvety texture.

Tips for Beef Stew

• Brown beef in small batches to ensure each piece develops a rich, caramelized exterior without steaming, which helps create deeper flavor.
• Mix flour with cold water to create a smooth slurry, preventing lumps when thickening the stew's consistency without altering taste.
• Add fresh thyme at the end of cooking for a brighter, more vibrant herb flavor that doesn't become bitter during long simmering.
• Maintain a gentle simmer to keep meat tender, allowing collagen to break down slowly and create melt-in-your-mouth beef texture.
• Add root vegetables like carrots and potatoes midway through cooking to prevent them from becoming mushy while ensuring they're perfectly cooked.

Beef Stew Variations

• Vegetarian Stew: Replace beef with hearty portobello mushrooms or firm tofu, using vegetable broth for a plant-based protein alternative.
• Low-Carb Version: Swap potatoes with cauliflower or turnips, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining a similar texture and comfort.
• Slow Cooker Method: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning beef, cooking on low for 6-8 hours for a hands-off approach with tender meat.
• Mediterranean Style: Add olives, red wine, and swap thyme with rosemary for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile with rich, aromatic notes.

Serving Suggestions for Beef Stew

• Cozy Comfort Plate: Serve this hearty beef stew in deep ceramic bowls to capture its rustic warmth and rich flavors.
• Bread Pairing Perfection: Accompany the stew with crusty sourdough or warm cornbread to soak up the delicious sauce and add extra texture.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top right before serving to add a bright, fresh note and beautiful green color contrast.
• Winter Meal Companion: Pair with a full-bodied red wine like cabernet sauvignon or a light beer to complement the stew's deep, savory profile.

Storage Advice for Beef Stew

• Seal cooled beef stew in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Let the stew completely cool before transferring to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour stew into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label containers with date and contents.
• Transfer desired portion to a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warm.

FAQs

• What makes the beef tender in this stew?

Browning the beef first and slow cooking it for 1.5-2 hours breaks down the tough muscle fibers, making the meat incredibly soft and flavorful.

• Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, you can substitute beef with lamb or pork. Just ensure you cut the meat into similar-sized cubes and follow the same browning and slow-cooking technique.

• Is this stew nutritious?

Absolutely! The recipe includes protein from beef, vitamins from carrots and potatoes, and the slow-cooking method helps retain nutrients. It’s a balanced, hearty meal packed with essential nutrients.

Beef Stew Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Beef Stew brings comfort and warmth to winter dinners with rich, tender chunks of meat slow-cooked in a savory broth. Delicious layers of vegetables and herbs create a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 lbs (907 grams) beef stew meat, cubed

Vegetables:

• 4 large carrots, sliced
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 4 cups (946 milliliters) beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon flour
• Salt
• Pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm a large pot over medium flame and drizzle olive oil. Sear meat portions until golden brown, creating a rich caramelized exterior. Transfer browned meat to a separate plate.
2. Using the same pot, gently sweat onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant. Incorporate tomato paste, stirring continuously to develop deep, concentrated flavors for approximately 60 seconds.
3. Pour beef broth into the pot, introducing aromatic thyme and bay leaves. Add chunky carrot and potato pieces. Carefully reintroduce the previously browned meat into the liquid.
4. Elevate heat to achieve a robust boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and allow the stew to quietly bubble for 90-120 minutes at low temperature, ensuring meat becomes fork-tender and ingredients meld harmoniously.
5. Taste and calibrate seasoning with salt and pepper. For enhanced thickness, create a quick slurry by whisking flour with cold water. Integrate this mixture into the stew during the final 10 minutes of cooking, which will naturally thicken the sauce and provide a luxurious texture.

Notes

• Prevent tough meat by choosing the right cut like chuck roast, which becomes incredibly tender during slow cooking.
• Control sodium levels by using low-sodium beef broth and adding salt gradually, tasting as you go for perfect seasoning.
• Enhance depth of flavor by deglazing the pot with red wine after browning beef, capturing those delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder when thickening the stew, ensuring everyone can enjoy this comforting dish.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg