Description
Hearty old fashioned beef stew delivers rich comfort with tender meat and robust vegetables simmered to perfection. Warm spices and slow-cooked goodness invite you to savor a classic dish that warms hearts and satisfies hunger with every spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 2 pounds beef stew meat (cubed chuck roast)
Vegetables:
- 1.5 pounds red potatoes
- 10 ounces pearl onions
- 4 medium carrots
- 4 medium celery ribs
- 2 cloves garlic
Spices and Seasonings:
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon dried parsley
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.25 teaspoon allspice
Liquids and Oils:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups beef broth
- 0.25 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 0.25 cup cold water
Instructions
- Coat beef cubes with cornstarch, seasoning with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor and texture.
- Sear beef in hot olive oil until golden brown, creating a rich caramelized exterior. Transfer meat to a separate plate.
- Infuse pot with aromatic garlic and tomato paste, releasing deep flavors. Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of sugar to balance the profile.
- Reintroduce browned beef to the liquid, combining with hearty root vegetables including potatoes, onions, carrots, and celery. Incorporate herbs and spices like basil, oregano, parsley, paprika, and allspice for complexity.
- Bring mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours at 325°F, allowing meat to become fork-tender and vegetables to absorb rich flavors.
- Create a smooth slurry with remaining cornstarch and cold water. Stir into stew to achieve desired thickness, cooking for an additional 5 minutes to activate thickening agents.
- Ladle steaming stew into warm bowls, ensuring each serving contains a harmonious blend of meat and vegetables.
Notes
- Maximize meat tenderness by selecting chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Boost flavor depth by browning meat thoroughly before simmering, creating delicious caramelized exterior that enhances overall taste profile.
- Control stew consistency by gradually adding cornstarch slurry, allowing sauce to thicken naturally without becoming too dense or pasty.
- Accommodate dietary preferences by substituting beef with lamb, turkey, or plant-based protein alternatives for diverse meal options.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg