You guys know Stew season is here! So what’s next? Ah, beef stew — there’s just something so deeply comforting about this classic dish. Picture it: tender chunks of beef, melting in your mouth, accompanied by the hearty goodness of potatoes and the sweet touch of carrots. It’s like a big, cozy blanket for your taste buds. Whether it’s a chilly evening or you’re just in the mood for some soul-warming food, beef stew never disappoints. Plus, with everything cooked together in one pot, all the flavors mingle and dance in the most delightful way. So, grab your spoon and settle in; it’s time for some cozy deliciousness.

Reasons People Love Beef Stew!

Ah, the allure of a slow-cooked beef stew. There are several reasons why people have an undying love for this timeless dish:

1. Tenderness: Slow cooking allows the beef to break down over a longer period, making it incredibly tender and melt-in-the-mouth delicious. It’s a texture that’s hard to achieve through quick cooking.
2. Deep Flavors: As the stew simmers for hours, the flavors meld and intensify. Ingredients get a chance to know each other better, resulting in a deeper, more harmonious taste profile.
3. Comfort: There’s something inherently comforting about a pot of stew bubbling away on the stove or in a slow cooker. It evokes feelings of warmth, home, and nostalgia.
4. Versatility: Beef stew can be tailored to individual tastes. Want to throw in some wine, mushrooms, or maybe a touch of rosemary? Go ahead! It’s a dish that welcomes experimentation.
5. Aroma: The scent of a beef stew slow cooking is simply divine. It fills the home with an inviting aroma that’s both appetizing and comforting.
6. Wholesomeness: A bowl of beef stew feels complete. It’s a balanced meal with protein, carbs, and veggies all in one pot, making it both nutritious and satisfying.

In essence, the appeal of slow-cooked beef stew lies in its ability to offer a symphony of flavors and textures, all while evoking feelings of comfort, warmth, and homeliness. It’s a dish that resonates deeply with many, offering both culinary and emotional satisfaction!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chuck Beef
• Spices
• Potatoes 
• Mirepoix (Carrots, White Onions, Celery)
• Tomato Paste
• Beef Paste
• Red Wine
• Beef Broth
• Fresh Herbs

How to Make Beef Stew (brief overview)

1. Cut your chuck beef into 1″ cubes. Season your chuck beef
2. Sear your beef. Remove.
3. Then, add your mirepoix to your pot, and toss in tomato paste, beef base.
4. After that, pour in your wine and beef broth and add your beef back into your pot.
5. Cook slow and low on the stovetop on low hear for 2-3 hours.

Lets make it together @themoodyfoody, Toni Chapman makes the perfect Beef Stew

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Tips for the best Beef Stew!

Certainly! Crafting the perfect beef stew is an art that can be mastered with a few key tips:

1. Choose the Right Cut: Opt for chuck roast, beef chuck shoulder, or beef round for the best results. These cuts have enough connective tissue which breaks down during slow cooking, yielding a rich, gelatinous texture.
2. Sear the Beef: Before adding the beef to your stew, brown it in hot oil. This creates a Maillard reaction, which adds depth and a rich flavor to the stew.
3. Layer Your Flavors: Start with sautéing onions, garlic, and other aromatic veggies. Deglaze the pot with wine or broth to capture all the delicious bits from the bottom.
4. Thickening: For a thicker stew, you can either dust your beef pieces with flour before browning, or mix a bit of cornstarch with water and add it to the stew near the end of cooking.
5. Go Low and Slow: Beef stew benefits from a slow, gentle simmer. This allows the flavors to meld and the beef to become supremely tender.
6. Herbs Matter: Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves can elevate your stew. If using dried herbs, remember they have a more concentrated flavor, so use them sparingly.
7. Rest Before Serving: Letting the stew sit for at least 15 minutes before serving allows the flavors to meld even more. Better yet, like many soups and stews, beef stew often tastes even better the next day!
8. Taste and Adjust: Always taste your stew before serving. Adjust the seasoning, maybe add a splash of wine or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten up the flavors.

Substitutions & Recipe Variations

• Make it alcohol-free- If you don’t drink alcohol or don’t have it on a handful, you can use sherry wine or additional beef broth
• Make it Keto- To make it keto, serve with cauliflower mash and skip the mash. You’ll still have a delicious beef stew recipe recipe!
• Make it with another cut of beef- You can use chuck roast or a thick cut of stewing beef if you cannot find short ribs just follow the same technique!

I hope you enjoy this Beef Stew Recipe! 

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Tiktok, or Pinterest!

Beef Stew

Toni Chapman

Slowcooked, sweet and savory beef stew

5 from 8 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Equipment

• 1 Dutch oven or large pot

Ingredients

  

• 3 lbs chuck beef cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1 tbsp browning optional
• 2 tbsp worcestchire
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp herbs de Provence
• 4 cups beef stock
• 2 tbsps roast beef base paste
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 1 cup red cooking wine merlot or any dark red wine
• 4 carrots chopped
• 3 potatoes cut into cubes
• 1/4 celery chopped
• 1/4 cups onion
• 10 cloves garlic minced
• bunch fresh herbs rosemary, thyme, bayleaf

Instructions

 

• Season the chuck beef with spices, flour, worchestchire, and browning
• In a large dutch oven, add oil to a pan on medium high heat. Sear the chuck beef on each side for about 3 minutes until they are golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Add your celery, onions and garlic to your dutch oven, and sauté until soft.
• Then, add in tomato paste and beef base and simmer for 2-3 minutes and add in wine, and broth and fresh herbs. Cover and cook on medium- low heat.
• After 2 hours, toss in potatoes, and carrots and continue cooking on medium-low heat for an additional 30-45 minutes.
• Once your chuck beef is perfectly tender, garnish and serve with rice, mash or crunchy toast

Keyword stews, beef, DINNER, stew, beef stew