Beef Stew

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There’s something deeply comforting about a bowl of homemade beef stew. With its tender chunks of beef, soft vegetables, and rich broth simmered low and slow, it feels like the culinary equivalent of a warm blanket. It fills the kitchen with the kind of aroma that brings everyone to the table before you even call them.

Whether it’s a cold-weather favorite or a Sunday dinner classic, beef stew has a way of making any meal feel like home. The best part? It only gets better the longer it cooks, allowing all the flavors to deepen and mingle into the perfect bite.

Why You’ll Love This Beef Stew

This beef stew is hearty, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. The beef becomes fall-apart tender as it simmers in a savory broth enhanced with garlic, herbs, and a splash of red wine. The carrots and potatoes soak up all the richness, while the tomato paste adds depth. It’s a one-pot wonder that will make your house smell amazing and your belly feel full.

What Cut of Beef Should I Use for Beef Stew?

Chuck roast is the most popular and reliable choice for beef stew. It has a great balance of meat and fat, which breaks down into juicy tenderness over a few hours of cooking. If you can’t find chuck, look for stew meat already cut by your butcher, or even short ribs for a more indulgent version.

Ingredients for the Beef Stew

When it comes to building layers of flavor, every ingredient in this beef stew has a purpose. Don’t skip or substitute too freely here – the result is worth following closely.

• Beef chuck roast
• Yellow onions
• Garlic cloves
• Carrots
• Celery stalks
• Russet potatoes
• Tomato paste
• Beef broth
• Red wine
• Bay leaves
• Fresh thyme
• All-purpose flour
• Salt and black pepper
• Olive oil

How To Make the Beef Stew

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Cut the beef into bite-sized chunks and season them generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides. Set the browned beef aside.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

In the same pot, add diced onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the onions are translucent and the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 3: Deglaze and Simmer

Pour in the red wine and scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for a minute, then add the beef broth, bay leaves, and fresh thyme. Return the beef to the pot, bring everything to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Thicken and Add Potatoes

After about 1.5 hours, whisk together a few tablespoons of flour with water to make a slurry and stir it into the stew. Add in the potatoes and continue simmering for another 45 minutes until the beef is fork-tender and the potatoes are fully cooked.

Step 5: Final Taste and Serve

Remove bay leaves and thyme stems. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with crusty bread.

How to Serve and Store This Stew

This recipe serves about 6 hearty portions, perfect for a family dinner or meal prepping your weekday lunches. Serve it straight from the pot into deep bowls, ideally with a generous slice of crusty bread or a buttery biscuit to soak up all that savory broth.

For storing, let the stew cool completely and transfer it to airtight containers. It can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for 3 months. The flavors deepen beautifully the next day, making it an ideal make-ahead dish.

What to Serve With Beef Stew?

Crusty Bread

A warm, crusty loaf is perfect for dipping and soaking up the rich broth.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Extra creamy mashed potatoes on the side make this stew even heartier.

Buttery Biscuits

Fresh, fluffy biscuits add comfort and texture.

Simple Arugula Salad

A peppery salad lightens up the meal and adds a refreshing bite.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

The earthy crispness of roasted sprouts balances the stew’s richness.

Cornbread

Slightly sweet, golden cornbread complements the savory depth.

Steamed Green Beans

Quickly steamed and buttered green beans keep it simple and vibrant.

Want More Cozy Dinner Ideas?

If beef stew is your thing, you’ll love exploring these hearty, satisfying dinners from our collection:

• Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta with a hint of garlic and parmesan.
• Delicious Ooey Gooey Mac and Cheese when you need ultimate cheesy comfort.
• One-Pot Creamy Sausage Rigatoni for a rich, weeknight-friendly pasta.
• Herby Chicken Meatball Bowl with fresh herbs and grains.
• Homemade Mexican Pizza if you want something fun and zesty.

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📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it whenever you need a hug in a bowl.

Tried it and made it your own? Maybe added mushrooms or used Guinness instead of wine? I’d love to hear about your twist in the comments below.

Explore beautifully curated comfort food ideas on Janet Dishes on Pinterest and find your next favorite bowl of cozy: Janet Dishes on Pinterest.

Conclusion

Beef stew is one of those timeless recipes that everyone should have in their back pocket. It doesn’t require fancy ingredients, just time, patience, and a little bit of love. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or freezing portions for later, this dish is all about comfort, simplicity, and heartwarming flavor.

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