Description
Classic Beef Stew is the kind of easy dinner that makes the whole kitchen smell incredible and gives you a deeply satisfying bowl of comfort food. With tender beef, soft potatoes, carrots, and a rich savory broth, this easy recipe is perfect for cozy family dinners, meal prep, and hearty dinner ideas when you want classic food ideas that always deliver.
Ingredients
2 pounds beef chuck, cut into cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
1. Pat the beef dry with paper towels and season it with salt and black pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. Brown the beef in batches until all sides are deeply seared, then transfer it to a plate.
4. Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until the onion softens.
5. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste, then cook for 1 minute.
6. Sprinkle in the flour and stir well to coat the vegetables.
7. Slowly pour in some of the beef broth while scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
8. Return the beef to the pot and add the remaining beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and thyme.
9. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 1 hour.
10. Add the potatoes and continue simmering for 35 to 45 minutes, until the beef is tender and the potatoes are soft.
11. Remove the bay leaf, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed.
12. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Brown the beef in batches so it sears instead of steaming.
Cut the vegetables into similar sizes for even cooking.
Let the stew simmer gently, not boil hard, so the beef stays tender and the broth turns rich.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 95mg