A comforting and hearty classic beef stew, perfect for a cold day. This recipe features tender beef chunks, root vegetables, and a rich, savory broth.
Author:Elena Vasquez
Prep Time:25 minutes
Cook Time:2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time:2 hours 55 minutes
Yield:6-8 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups beef broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
Optional: 1/2 cup frozen peas, added at the end
Instructions
In a large bowl, toss the beef cubes with flour, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Remove browned beef to a plate and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium. Add chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Return the beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 hours.
Add the carrots and potatoes to the stew. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 30-45 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and beef is very tender.
Remove bay leaves before serving. If using, stir in frozen peas during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Serve hot.
Notes
For a thicker stew, you can mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the simmering stew during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Adjust seasoning to your preference.
This stew can be made ahead and reheats well. The flavors often deepen overnight.