Description
Paula Deen’s beef stew combines hearty beef chunks with root vegetables simmered in a rich, savory broth. Comfort and warmth fill each spoonful, making winter meals satisfying for families who crave classic Southern cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 grams) stew beef
- 1 medium sliced onion
- 3 large sliced carrots
- 4 quartered red potatoes
- 3 ribs chopped celery
- 1 clove peeled garlic
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 cups (473 ml) water
- 1 tsp (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp (5 grams) salt
- 1 tsp (4 grams) sugar
- ½ tsp (1 gram) pepper
- ½ tsp (1 gram) paprika
- 1 dash ground cloves allspice
- 1 or 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsps (16 grams) cornstarch
Instructions
- Meat Searing: Warm vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef pieces methodically, creating a deep caramelized crust to intensify flavor complexity.
- Flavor Infusion: Pour Worcestershire sauce and water over browned meat. Add whole garlic clove, bay leaves, onion, salt, sugar, black pepper, paprika, and allspice. Blend ingredients comprehensively, reduce heat to low, cover, and allow beef to tenderize gently for 90 minutes.
- Vegetable Integration: Discard bay leaves and garlic clove. Introduce carrots, red potatoes, and celery into the stew. Restore lid and simmer for 35-45 minutes until vegetables reach optimal tenderness.
- Gravy Refinement: Extract 2 cups of hot liquid from the pot. Whisk cornstarch with cool water until smooth. Gradually incorporate cornstarch mixture back into the stew, stirring consistently to create a glossy, rich sauce that envelops the tender ingredients.
Notes
- Searing Secrets: Brown meat thoroughly to lock in deep, complex flavors and create a caramelized exterior that elevates the entire dish’s taste profile.
- Low and Slow Magic: Cooking beef at low temperature for 90 minutes guarantees incredibly tender meat that practically melts in your mouth.
- Vegetable Timing Matters: Add root vegetables later to prevent overcooking, ensuring they remain perfectly textured and maintain their nutritional integrity.
- Gravy Perfection Technique: Whisk cornstarch with cold water separately to prevent lumps, creating a smooth, glossy sauce that transforms the stew’s overall texture and appearance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 354
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 678 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg