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Beef Stew Recipe Easy Cozy Homemade for Perfect Comfort Meals

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A cozy and easy homemade beef stew recipe that delivers tender beef chunks in a rich, savory broth with hearty vegetables. Perfect for comforting meals on chilly evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 carrots, peeled and sliced into ½-inch pieces
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 4 red potatoes, cut into chunks
  • 4 cups beef broth or stock (preferably low-sodium)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cut the beef chuck roast into 1-inch cubes, season with salt and pepper, and lightly coat with flour. Chop the onions, carrots, celery, potatoes, and mince the garlic. This should take about 15 minutes.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes in batches—don’t crowd the pan—and brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Transfer browned beef to a bowl.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add a bit more oil if needed, then sauté the onions and celery until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes. Pour in about 1 cup (240 ml) of beef broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
  5. Return beef to the pot along with the remaining broth (about 3 cups or 720 ml), Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, then cover and let cook gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  6. After the beef has cooked for an hour, stir in the carrots and potatoes. Cover and simmer for another 30-40 minutes, or until veggies and beef are tender but not falling apart.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaves. If you want the stew thicker, mash a few potato chunks against the side of the pot and stir.
  8. Garnish with fresh parsley and ladle into warm bowls. Serve with crusty bread or alongside a loaded baked potato casserole.

Notes

Brown the beef in batches to avoid steaming and ensure a nice crust. Deglaze the pot with broth to capture all the browned bits for extra flavor. Add vegetables later to keep them tender but not mushy. Adjust thickness by mashing potatoes or adding broth as needed. Use a meat thermometer to check beef tenderness at 190°F (88°C).

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stew, easy beef stew, homemade stew, comfort food, cozy meals, hearty stew, weeknight dinner