Description
Amazing Beef Stew is a hearty and comforting classic dish featuring tender beef chuck, fresh vegetables, and a rich, savory broth. Perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you need a soul-warming meal, this stew brings together simple pantry staples to create deep, satisfying flavors with a cozy, nostalgic feel.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into evenly sized chunks
Vegetables
- 3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Thickening & Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons flour
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Herbs & Spices
- 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
Others
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable or olive oil)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Cut the beef chuck into evenly sized chunks to ensure uniform cooking. Peel and chop the carrots, potatoes, and onion. Mince the garlic. Having everything ready makes the cooking process smooth and stress-free.
- Brown the Beef: Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef chunks in batches, browning all sides to develop a rich, caramelized flavor. Remove browned beef and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pot, add chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, scraping the browned bits left from the beef to infuse the base with flavor.
- Add Tomato Paste and Flour: Stir in the tomato paste for color and subtle tanginess. Then sprinkle flour over and cook briefly to remove any raw flour taste, which also helps thicken the stew later.
- Combine Broth and Ingredients: Return the browned beef to the pot along with the carrots, potatoes, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves. Pour in the beef broth until just covering the ingredients. Bring mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer Long and Low: Reduce heat to low and cover the pot. Let the stew simmer gently for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally and checking seasoning. This slow cooking tenderizes the beef and melds the flavors beautifully.
- Final Season and Serve: After beef is tender and stew has thickened to your liking, remove bay leaves. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, then serve warm with preferred sides or garnishes like fresh parsley or chopped chives.
Notes
- Brown meat properly: Taking time to sear beef chunks well creates a deep, rich flavor foundation.
- Don’t rush the simmer: Cooking low and slow breaks down tough meat fibers and develops complex flavors.
- Use fresh herbs: Thyme and bay leaves added early infuse subtle aromatic notes throughout the stew.
- Adjust thickness carefully: If the stew is too thin, uncover near the end to reduce or stir in a slurry of flour and water.
- Let it rest: Allowing the stew to sit briefly before serving enhances flavor melding and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop Simmering
- Cuisine: American/Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg