The Heartiest Beef Stew Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Rich, hearty beef stew recipe warms the soul on chilly evenings.

Tender chunks of meat simmer slowly with robust vegetables and aromatic herbs.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic comfort dish.

Slow-cooking transforms simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying meal that fills the kitchen with irresistible aromas.

Every spoonful promises a delightful blend of savory flavors and tender textures.

This one-pot wonder delivers pure culinary comfort that connects us to traditional home cooking.

Let’s uncover the secrets to creating a stew that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why This Beef Stew Is Comfort Food Royalty

• This beef stew wraps you in warm, rich flavors that feel like a big culinary hug, perfect for chilly days and cozy family gatherings.
• The recipe guides you through simple steps like browning meat, deglazing, and slow-cooking, making gourmet cooking accessible for home chefs of all skill levels.
• Swap vegetables, adjust seasonings, or modify cooking methods to match your taste preferences and pantry ingredients, creating a personalized dining experience.
• Packed with protein-rich beef, diverse vegetables, and robust herbs, this stew delivers a balanced meal that nourishes body and soul without complicated preparation.

Beef Stew Ingredient List for Cozy Evenings

• Beef Chunks: A hearty and rich meat that provides the foundation for this comforting stew.

• Flour, Salt, Pepper: A classic blend that helps coat the beef and create a flavorful crust.

• Onion, Garlic: Provide a deep, savory base that enhances the overall flavor of the stew.
• Whole Garlic Cloves: Add a mellow, roasted garlic essence to the dish.

• Red Wine: Adds depth and complexity to the stew's flavor profile.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a tangy and umami-rich dimension to the meat.
• Tomato Paste: Provides a rich, concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Beef Broth: Creates a rich, meaty liquid base for the stew.

• Bay Leaves, Thyme: Introduce subtle, earthy herbal notes to the stew.

• Carrots, Celery, Potatoes, Mushrooms: Add texture, nutrition, and a variety of flavors to the dish.

• Fresh Parsley: Offers a bright, fresh garnish that adds color and a light herb flavor.
• Butter: Helps create a rich, smooth base for cooking aromatics.

• Cornstarch: Provides an option to thicken the stew to desired consistency.

Beef Stew Cooking Tools That Make Life Easier

• Large Bowl: Essential for coating beef with flour, salt, and pepper.
• Heavy-Duty Pot or Dutch Oven: Key for browning beef and cooking entire stew.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables like onions, carrots, and potatoes.
• Sharp Knife: Required for cutting beef chunks and chopping vegetables.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Help measure ingredients accurately.
• Plate with Foil: Used to hold browned beef while preparing other ingredients.
• Slurry Whisk: Useful for mixing cornstarch and water to thicken stew.
• Ladle or Large Serving Spoon: For serving the stew.

Easy Steps to Hearty, Flavorful Beef Stew

Step 1: Dust The Beef

Grab a large mixing bowl and toss beef chunks with flour, seasoning thoroughly to create a delightful protective coating that will help seal in rich flavors.

Step 2: Sizzle And Brown

Heat oil in a heavy pot over medium-high flame.

Brown beef chunks in batches, creating a gorgeous caramelized exterior that promises deep, robust taste.

Transfer browned pieces to a waiting plate.

Step 3: Wine Magic

Pour red wine into the same pot, scraping up those delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom.

These crispy remnants are flavor gold.

Step 4: Aromatic Foundation

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté until fragrant and slightly translucent.

Step 5: Liquid Harmony

• Worcestershire sauce
• Tomato paste
• Beef broth

• Quartered onions
• Whole garlic cloves
• Bay leaves
• Fresh thyme

Step 6: Gentle Simmer

Cover and let the stew gently simmer on low heat, allowing flavors to meld and beef to become tender.

Step 7: Oven Preparation

Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).

Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs.

Step 8: Vegetable Introduction

• Carrots
• Celery
• Potatoes
• Mushrooms

Cover and bake until vegetables reach perfect tenderness.

Step 9: Final Flavor Tuning

Taste and adjust seasonings.

For a thicker consistency, whisk cornstarch with water and incorporate.

Step 10: Elegant Serving

Ladle into warm bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.

Enjoy your comforting masterpiece!

Chef Tips for Perfect Beef Stew Every Time

• Choose chuck roast or beef stew meat with good marbling for tender, rich flavor that melts in your mouth.
• Pat beef dry before flouring to ensure perfect caramelization and develop deep, complex flavors in the stew.
• Use a combination of beef broth and red wine to create a robust, layered taste that enhances the meat's natural richness.
• Allow low and slow cooking in the oven to break down tough meat fibers, resulting in incredibly soft, succulent beef pieces.
• Add root vegetables like carrots and potatoes later in the cooking process to maintain their texture and prevent overcooking.

Creative Beef Stew Variations for Cold Days

• Vegetarian Transformation: Replace beef with hearty chunks of portobello mushrooms or firm tofu, using vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a plant-based alternative that maintains rich flavor and texture.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap potatoes with cauliflower florets and turnips, reducing carbohydrate content while keeping the stew's comforting essence and maintaining a similar mouthfeel.
• Slow Cooker Adaptation: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning beef, cooking on low for 6-8 hours to achieve tender meat and deeply melded flavors with minimal hands-on preparation.

Serving Ideas for Classic Beef Stew Suppers

• Rustic Bread Companion: Slice a crusty baguette or hearty sourdough to soak up the rich, savory stew broth, adding delightful texture and extra flavor to each bite.
• Cozy Side Salad: Prepare a light, crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the stew's hearty richness and provide a fresh contrast on the plate.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the beef stew with a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec, enhancing the deep, robust flavors of the dish.
• Herb Garnish Magic: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives on top to add a bright, fresh note and beautiful green color that makes the stew look even more appetizing.

How to Store Beef Stew and Keep It Tasty

• Store beef stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Keep the stew flat to maintain even temperature and prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal carefully, and freeze for 2-3 months. Label container with date and contents.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Cover with microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

FAQs

• Why do I need to coat the beef in flour before browning?

Coating beef in flour helps create a golden-brown crust and thickens the stew sauce, locking in more flavor and creating a richer texture.

• Can I use a different type of meat?

While beef chuck is ideal for stew due to its tenderness after slow cooking, you can substitute with lamb or pork shoulder for similar results.

• What if I don't have red wine?

If you don’t have red wine, you can substitute with beef broth or grape juice mixed with a splash of vinegar to provide similar depth and acidity to the dish.

• How do I know when the beef is properly browned?

The beef should have a deep golden-brown color and develop a nice crust. Avoid overcrowding the pan, which prevents proper browning and creates steaming instead of searing.

Beef Stew Recipe

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4.5 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Classic French beef stew brings hearty comfort from Provence’s rustic kitchens. Rich burgundy-infused meat melts with root vegetables, promising warmth and satisfaction for hungry diners.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) beef stewing meat, trimmed and cut into 2–3 inch cubes

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 1 medium onion, peeled and finely diced
• 1 medium onion, cut into quarters
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, whole
• 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch rounds
• 1 cup (150 grams) diced celery
• 1 pound (454 grams) mini red potatoes, peeled and cut into halves
• 8 ounces (227 grams) baby Bella mushrooms, cleaned, stems removed and caps cut into halves
• 1 bunch fresh thyme
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) red wine
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups (960 milliliters) low-sodium beef broth (more if needed)
• 3 bay leaves

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Instructions

1. Prepare beef by generously coating chunks with seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
2. Heat oil in heavy-duty pot over medium-high heat. Sear beef in multiple batches until rich golden-brown crust forms, approximately 4-5 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.
3. Deglaze pot with robust red wine, thoroughly scraping caramelized bits from bottom to capture maximum flavor essence.
4. Reduce heat, melt butter, and sauté diced onions with minced garlic until fragrant and slightly translucent, roughly 1-2 minutes.
5. Incorporate Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and beef broth. Return browned meat to pot, adding quartered onions, whole garlic cloves, bay leaves, and fresh thyme sprigs.
6. Simmer uncovered on low heat for 90 minutes, periodically skimming excess fat from surface.
7. Preheat oven to 300°F. Remove herb sprigs and whole garlic cloves from liquid.
8. Introduce root vegetables – carrots, celery, potatoes, and mushrooms – stirring gently to distribute evenly. Cover and transfer to oven for 60 minutes until vegetables reach tender consistency.
9. Evaluate seasoning, adding salt and pepper as needed. For enhanced thickness, whisk cornstarch with cold water and briefly boil to create silky texture.
10. Ladle into warm bowls, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for vibrant presentation.

Notes

• Select tough, marbled cuts like chuck roast for maximum flavor and tenderness during slow cooking.
• Pat beef completely dry before flouring to ensure perfect golden-brown caramelization without steaming.
• Allow sufficient time for browning meat in batches, creating deep rich flavor foundations through proper Maillard reaction.
• Use low, slow cooking methods to break down connective tissues, transforming tough meat into melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Red wine adds complexity and depth, helping tenderize meat while introducing subtle nuanced flavor profiles.
• Swap beef for lamb or plant-based alternatives like jackfruit for dietary variations without compromising overall recipe structure.
• Add root vegetables like parsnips or sweet potatoes for extra nutritional diversity and interesting taste dimensions.
• Implement gluten-free modifications by using alternative flour like almond or rice flour for coating meat.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg