🥘 Classic Beef Stew
A hearty, comforting dish with tender beef, vegetables, and rich, savory broth — perfect for a cozy meal.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1.5–2 lbs (700–900 g) beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2–3 tbsp oil (vegetable or olive)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine (optional)
- 3–4 carrots, cut into chunks
- 2–3 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1–2 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1 tsp dried thyme or 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary or 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1–2 bay leaves
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- 2–3 tbsp flour or cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Brown the Beef
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Brown beef cubes in batches to avoid overcrowding. Remove and set aside.
2️⃣ Sauté Vegetables
- In the same pot, cook onions and garlic until fragrant (2–3 minutes).
- Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute.
3️⃣ Deglaze & Simmer
- Add red wine (if using) or a little broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits.
- Return beef to the pot.
- Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
4️⃣ Add Vegetables
- Add carrots, potatoes, and celery.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 1.5–2 hours until beef is tender.
5️⃣ Thicken the Stew (Optional)
- Mix flour or cornstarch with a little water to form a slurry.
- Stir into stew and cook 5–10 minutes until thickened.
6️⃣ Serve
- Remove bay leaves and herb stems.
- Serve hot with crusty bread or over rice.
🔥 Tips for Perfect Beef Stew
- Use chuck or braising cuts — they become tender during slow cooking.
- Brown meat properly — adds deep flavor.
- Simmer low and slow — essential for tender beef and rich broth.
- Optional: add peas or mushrooms in the last 15 minutes for extra flavor.
If you want, I can also give you:
- Instant Pot or pressure cooker beef stew
- Slow-cooker version for set-it-and-forget-it meals
- Beef stew variations with wine, beer, or Guinness
Do you want me to provide one of these versions?
