Comforting Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe to Warm Your Soul

Hearty beef stew brings comfort to chilly evenings with its rich, soul-warming flavors.

Generations have cherished this classic dish for its simple yet robust ingredients.

Tender meat melts into a thick, savory broth that hugs your taste buds.

Rustic vegetables add depth and texture to every spoonful.

Each bite tells a story of traditional home cooking passed down through time.

Slow-simmered to perfection, this recipe promises a delicious journey into classic culinary comfort.

You’ll want to savor every delectable morsel of this timeless meal.

Old Fashioned Beef Stew – Rich, Hearty Flavor For Dinner

• Simplify Side Dish: Transform ordinary green beans into a crowd-pleasing casserole with minimal ingredients and straightforward preparation, perfect for cooks of all skill levels.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Delivers nostalgic flavors that remind people of family gatherings, holiday meals, and classic American home cooking, guaranteed to spark warm conversations.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by adding optional cheese, adjusting seasonings, or incorporating different types of crispy onion toppings to match personal taste preferences and make it your own.
• Quick Family Favorite: Requires just a few simple steps and basic pantry ingredients, making it an ideal weeknight side dish or potluck contribution that everyone will love.

Old Fashioned Beef Stew Grocery List Essentials

• Beef Chuck or Stew Meat: A tender cut of meat perfect for slow cooking and developing rich flavor.

• Onions, Garlic, Celery, Carrots: A classic mirepoix base that provides depth and aromatic foundation for the stew.
• Potatoes: Hearty root vegetable that adds substance and helps thicken the stew.
• Frozen Peas: Optional vegetable that brings a pop of color and sweet freshness.

• Beef Broth: Creates the savory liquid base of the stew.
• Red Wine: Adds complexity and depth to the overall flavor profile.
• Tomato Paste: Provides rich umami and helps thicken the sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Enhances meaty flavor with tangy and slightly sweet notes.
• Bay Leaves: Offers subtle herbal undertones.
• Thyme, Rosemary: Aromatic herbs that complement the beef's richness.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing flavors.
• Smoked Paprika: Optional spice that adds smoky warmth.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Optional ingredient for brightness.
• Cayenne Pepper: Optional spice for heat.
• Fresh Parsley: Garnish that adds color and fresh herbal note.
• Flour: Used for dredging and helping to thicken the stew.
• Cooking Oil: Helps brown the meat and sauté vegetables.

Easy Steps To Homemade Old Fashioned Beef Stew

Step 1: Prepare the Beef

Grab your beef and coat it generously with flour, seasoning with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Make sure each piece gets a nice, even dusting for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Brown the Meat

Heat oil in a large pot over medium flame. Carefully brown the beef cubes in batches, creating a delicious golden crust.

Once done, set the meat aside on a plate.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables

• Onions
• Garlic
• Celery
• Carrots

Cook until they become wonderfully soft and fragrant, releasing their amazing flavors.

Step 4: Build the Flavor Base

• Tomato paste
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Smoked paprika (if you're feeling adventurous)

Let these ingredients dance together and create a rich, deep flavor profile.

Step 5: Create the Liquid Foundation

Splash in some red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up all those delicious browned bits.

Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Drop in a couple of bay leaves for extra depth.

Step 6: Slow Cook the Beef

Return the browned beef to the pot. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

Cover and let it bubble away for 1.5-2 hours until the beef becomes meltingly tender.

Step 7: Add the Potatoes

Introduce chunky potato pieces to the stew.

Continue cooking for another 30-40 minutes until the potatoes are perfectly soft and creamy.

Step 8: Final Flavor Boosters

• Frozen peas
• Balsamic vinegar
• Cayenne pepper

Step 9: Finish and Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Sprinkle some fresh parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness. Ladle into deep bowls and enjoy this ultimate comfort food!

Tricks For Thick, Flavorful Old Fashioned Beef Stew

• Choose chuck roast or stew meat for maximum tenderness and rich flavor during slow cooking.
• Pat beef completely dry before dredging to ensure perfect golden-brown crust and better browning results.
• Brown meat in small batches to prevent overcrowding and achieve proper caramelization without steaming.
• Low and slow cooking breaks down tough meat fibers, creating melt-in-your-mouth texture and deeper flavor development.
• Consider using red wine for added depth, but beef broth works perfectly as a substitute for alcohol-free version.

Old Fashioned Beef Stew – Tasty Tweaks To Try

• Country-Style Rustic Stew: Replace beef with lamb or venison for a wild, hearty flavor profile. Add root vegetables like parsnips and turnips for extra earthiness.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Swap rosemary with oregano and thyme. Include kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes. Use white wine instead of red for lighter taste.
• Spicy Southwest Transformation: Incorporate chipotle peppers, cumin, and chili powder. Add black beans and corn. Garnish with cilantro and serve with cornbread.
• Creamy Scandinavian Version: Stir in sour cream or creme fraiche near end of cooking. Include diced rutabaga and use dill as primary herb. Serve with rye bread for authentic Nordic touch.

Top Picks To Serve With Beef Stew Bowls

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Ladle the rich, hearty stew into deep ceramic bowls. Top with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a bright color contrast and fresh herb flavor.
• Family-Style Rustic Platter: Spread the stew on a large wooden serving board. Surround the meat and vegetables with crusty sourdough bread slices for dipping and soaking up the delicious gravy.
• Winter Warming Meal: Pair the stew with a creamy polenta or buttery mashed potatoes. Serve alongside a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the stew's deep, robust flavors.

Saving Old Fashioned Beef Stew To Enjoy Again

• Transfer cooled stew into airtight containers and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to prevent flavor loss and bacterial growth.
• Pour stew into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Label with the date and contents. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum quality and taste.
• Thaw frozen stew in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of beef broth if the stew seems too thick.
• Divide stew into individual serving sizes before storing. This method allows you to defrost only the amount needed, reducing waste and maintaining freshness.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of meat for this stew?

Yes, you can substitute beef with lamb, pork, or venison. Just ensure the meat is cut into similar-sized cubes and adjust cooking time accordingly.

• Is it necessary to dredge the meat in flour?

Dredging helps create a nice brown crust and thickens the stew. If you prefer a gluten-free option, you can skip this step or use cornstarch instead.

• What if I don't have red wine?

No worries! You can replace red wine with beef broth or apple cider vinegar. The goal is to add depth and help deglaze the pot, so any acidic liquid will work.

Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty old fashioned beef stew delivers classic comfort from generations of home cooking. Robust beef, tender vegetables, and rich broth promise a satisfying meal you’ll savor with each warming spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 g) beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour (for dredging beef)
• 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 4 cups (946 ml) low-sodium beef broth
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil or vegetable oil
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) red wine (optional)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 2 tbsps balsamic vinegar (optional)
• Mushrooms (optional)

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Instructions

1. Dust beef cubes with seasoned flour, ensuring even coating for rich flavor development.
2. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat (375°F), browning meat in batches to create deep caramelization and prevent overcrowding.
3. Remove browned beef and sauté aromatic vegetables (onions, garlic, celery, carrots) until translucent and fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes.
4. Incorporate herb-infused tomato paste, adding thyme, rosemary, and optional smoked paprika to enhance depth of flavor.
5. Deglaze pot with robust red wine, scraping accumulated browned bits from bottom, then pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, introducing bay leaves for additional complexity.
6. Return beef to pot, bringing liquid to a vigorous boil before reducing to gentle simmer; cover and cook for 1.5-2 hours at low temperature (around 250°F) until meat becomes incredibly tender.
7. Introduce chunky potato pieces midway through cooking, allowing them to absorb rich cooking liquid and soften completely.
8. During final 15 minutes, consider adding optional enhancements like frozen peas, splash of balsamic vinegar, or hint of cayenne for subtle heat.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning, finishing with fresh parsley garnish and serving piping hot in deep ceramic bowls.

Notes

• Pat the beef dry before dredging to ensure a crisp, golden-brown exterior that locks in rich flavor.
• Brown the meat in small batches to prevent overcrowding, which can steam instead of sear the meat and reduce caramelization.
• Use chuck roast or beef stew meat for maximum tenderness and marbling that melts during slow cooking.
• Swap red wine with beef broth or add a splash of balsamic vinegar for depth if avoiding alcohol in the recipe.
• For a gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour when coating the beef.
• Make this stew more hearty by adding additional root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for extra nutrition.
• Enhance the umami flavor by using bone broth instead of regular beef broth for a more complex taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 340 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 280 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg