Hearty Joy of Cooking Beef Stew Recipe for Warmth

A hearty beef stew transforms ordinary ingredients into a soul-warming masterpiece that dances with robust flavors.

Winter’s chill melts away with each spoonful of this rich, slow-simmered delight.

Tender chunks of beef nestle among vibrant vegetables, creating a symphony of comfort on your plate.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dish, infusing it with love and memories.

Simple ingredients become extraordinary through patient simmering and careful seasoning.

Each bite tells a story of culinary tradition and nurturing warmth.

This recipe promises to fill your home with mouthwatering aromas and satisfy the deepest hunger.

Grab your pot and get ready to craft a meal that hugs you from the inside out.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for a Hearty Beef Stew

• Beef: Choose a well-marbled, tough cut like chuck roast for maximum tenderness and rich flavor.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Opt for a high-quality brand to enhance deep, umami undertones.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Select fresh, firm produce with vibrant colors and no blemishes.
• Garlic: Look for firm, plump cloves without green sprouts for the most robust taste.
• Potatoes: Pick starchy varieties like Russet that hold shape during long cooking.
• Peas: Frozen works best for consistent sweetness and texture.
• Thyme, Bay Leaves: Fresh herbs provide more intense flavor compared to dried versions.
• Parsley: Choose bright green leaves with crisp stems for garnish.

• Wine: Select a dry red wine with good acidity to complement the beef.
• Water: Use filtered water for cleaner taste.
• Tomato Paste: Seek out brands in tubes for easier measurement and storage.
• Salt and Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt elevate overall seasoning.
• Cooking Oil: Opt for neutral oils with high smoke point like vegetable or canola.

Tools to Prep and Simmer Beef Stew

• Dutch Oven or Heavy Pot: Perfect for browning beef and simmering the stew with even heat distribution.
• Cutting Board: Ideal surface for chopping vegetables precisely and safely.
• Sharp Chef's Knife: Essential for cleanly dicing onions, carrots, and celery.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and scraping the pot's bottom while cooking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps accurately portion liquid and dry ingredients.
• Plate: Useful for transferring seared beef and holding ingredients during preparation.
• Ladle: Helps serve the stew neatly into individual bowls.
• Colander or Strainer: Optional for rinsing peas if needed.

How to Make Beef Stew the Cozy Way

• Kickstart the Flavor Explosion (Sear the Beef)

Grab a heavy pot and warm up some oil over gentle heat. Toss in your beef chunks and dance them around until they’re beautifully golden and caramelized on all sides. This golden crust will be your secret weapon for deep, rich flavor.

• Veggie Magic Transformation (Build the Base)

Slide those veggies into the same pot, letting onions, carrots, and celery mingle and soften. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper, then welcome tomato paste and garlic to the party. Let everything bubble and blend, creating a stunning flavor foundation that’ll make your taste buds dance.

• Liquid Love Simmering (Create Stew Essence)

Welcome the beef back to the pot and splash in wine, water, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Tuck in some thyme and bay leaves for herbal whispers. Lower the heat and let everything simmer, turning tough meat into melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.

• Final Flavor Fusion (Complete the Stew)

Drop in potatoes and let them swim in the rich sauce until they’re perfectly tender. Pull out the herb stems, stir in sweet peas, and give everything a final seasoning boost. Your stew is now a symphony of flavors, ready to comfort and delight.

• Serve with Spectacular Flair (Plate and Enjoy)

Ladle this liquid gold into waiting bowls, crown with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and watch faces light up with pure culinary joy.

Tips to Adjust Flavor and Texture

Replace chuck roast with brisket or short ribs for different flavor profiles and textures. Each cut offers unique tenderness and richness.

Replace red wine with beef broth, dark beer, or extra water for alcohol-free versions. These substitutions maintain depth and complexity in the stew.

Add mushrooms, parsnips, or turnips for extra nutrients and earthy undertones. Mix and match root vegetables to create personal flavor combinations.

Include smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or cayenne for bold, warming heat. Experiment with spice levels to match your taste preferences.

Serving Suggestions for Beef Stew

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Grab a warm, crusty baguette or rustic sourdough to soak up the rich, flavorful broth. Each bite becomes a delightful combination of tender beef and hearty sauce.
• Create a Cozy Side Salad: Toss together a light green salad with crisp lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette. The fresh, bright salad perfectly balances the deep, savory stew.
• Complement with Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Serve the stew alongside smooth, buttery mashed potatoes. The creamy texture and mild flavor provide a comforting backdrop to the robust beef stew.
• Enhance with Red Wine Pairing: Pour a glass of full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. The wine's robust notes will beautifully complement the deep, meaty flavors of the stew.

Leftover Beef Stew Storage Solutions

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store leftover beef stew in airtight containers, keeping it refrigerated for 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to develop and deepen overnight.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Portion stew into freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze up to 3 months for quick, convenient dinner options. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat with Care: Warm stew gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of water or broth if the stew seems too thick. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain meat tenderness.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare stew in large batches for easy weeknight dinners. Divide into individual portions for grab-and-go lunches or quick family meals. Stew tastes even better after the flavors meld together for a day or two.

Hearty Beef Stew Recipe

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4.5 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Classic Beef Stew highlights hearty comfort from French culinary traditions. Robust meat, tender vegetables, and rich broth promise satisfying warmth you’ll savor with each deeply flavorful spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (0.9 kg) beef chuck stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 lb (0.45 kg) baby potatoes, halved
• 2 carrots, peeled, cut into rounds
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 6 cups (1.4 l) low-sodium beef broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) red wine
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
• ¼ cup (60 ml) tomato paste
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• 2 bay leaves
• ¼ cup (15 g) chopped fresh parsley
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Searing Proteins: Heat Dutch oven with olive oil over medium-low temperature. Methodically brown beef pieces, ensuring uniform caramelization across all surfaces, approximately 10 minutes. Remove browned meat and reserve.
2. Vegetable Foundation: Elevate pot temperature to medium-high. Sauté onions, carrots, and celery until translucent, creating aromatic flavor base. Integrate tomato paste and garlic, cooking until paste deepens in color and garlic releases intense fragrance. Season with salt and black pepper.
3. Liquid Infusion: Reintroduce seared beef into vegetable mixture. Deglaze with red wine, incorporating fresh thyme, bay leaves, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Reduce heat, allowing mixture to gently simmer and develop rich, complex flavors. Cover and let ingredients meld together for 35-40 minutes, stirring periodically.
4. Potato Integration: Add cubed potatoes to stew, continuing gentle simmering until vegetables reach tender consistency. Remove herb sprigs to prevent overpowering flavor profile.
5. Final Embellishment: Fold in frozen peas, heating briefly to maintain vibrant color and texture. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for visual appeal and herbaceous note.

Notes

• Meat Searing Secret: Brown the beef thoroughly to lock in deep, rich flavors and create a caramelized exterior that enhances the stew’s overall taste profile.
• Vegetable Sauté Technique: Cook onions, carrots, and celery until translucent to develop a flavor foundation that adds depth and complexity to the stew.
• Wine Deglazing Magic: Red wine helps lift browned bits from the pot’s bottom, creating intense flavor layers and tenderizing the meat simultaneously.
• Herb and Seasoning Balance: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves before serving to prevent overpowering the delicate meat and vegetable flavors.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg