Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with our Easy Beef Stew recipe. Bursting with rich flavors and wholesome ingredients, this hearty dish is a true crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for warming up on chilly evenings. Made with tender chuck roast, vibrant vegetables, and a medley of savory seasonings, this stew is sure to become a favorite in your household. Let’s dive into the details of this delicious and comforting recipe that’s both easy to make and incredibly satisfying.
I love to pair my beef stew with my Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes or some Fresh Artisan Bread!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Hearty and Nourishing: Loaded with tender chunks of chuck roast, carrots, potatoes, and peas, this beef stew is a complete meal in a bowl that’s both satisfying and nourishing.
Easy to Make: With simple preparation and minimal hands-on time, our Beef Stew recipe is perfect for lazy weekends when you crave a comforting meal without the fuss.
Flavorful and Satisfying: Simmered low and slow with a blend of aromatic herbs, red wine, and umami-rich seasonings, this stew boasts a depth of flavor that will have you coming for seconds.
Versatile and Customizable: Feel free to customize the recipe to suit your taste preferences by adjusting the seasonings, adding your favorite vegetables, or even incorporating different cuts of meat for a unique twist.
Perfect for Meal Prep: Whip up a batch of this Beef Stew ahead of time and enjoy it throughout the week for quick and convenient meals that are as delicious as they are comforting.
Hearty & Easy Beef Stew Video
Our Beef Stew Ingredients
Our Star Ingredient
Chuck Roast: Known for its rich flavor and tenderness when slow-cooked, chuck roast is the perfect cut for beef stew. Opt for well-marbled meat, as it adds richness to the dish. Trim excess fat and cut the meat into bite-sized pieces for easy serving.
Fresh Veggies
Frozen Peas: Adding sweetness and vibrant color to the stew, frozen peas are a convenient option for incorporating vegetables. Thaw them before adding to the stew to ensure even cooking.
Celery: Known for its subtle flavor and crunchy texture, celery adds a refreshing element to the stew. It provides a mild vegetal taste and complements the other ingredients well.
Garlic: Crushed garlic cloves infuse the stew with aromatic flavor. They add depth and complexity to the dish, enhancing its overall taste profile.
Carrots: Sweet and earthy, carrots are a classic addition to beef stew. They contribute sweetness and vibrant color, as well as providing essential vitamins and minerals.
Yellow Onion: Diced yellow onion serves as the flavor base for the stew, providing a savory foundation. When cooked, onions become sweet and tender, adding depth and richness to the dish.
Yukon Gold Potatoes: Known for their creamy texture and buttery flavor, Yukon gold potatoes are perfect for stew. They hold their shape well during cooking and add substance to the dish.
umami overload
Dry Red Wine: Red wine adds depth and complexity to the stew, infusing it with rich flavor and aroma. It also helps to tenderize the meat and balance the other ingredients. You can sub this for chicken or beef stock with a teaspoon of vinegar.
Worcestershire Sauce: This umami-rich sauce adds depth of flavor and complexity to the stew. Its combination of tangy, sweet, and savory notes enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Vegetable Bouillon: Vegetable bouillon adds depth and richness to the stew, providing a savory base. It enhances the umami flavor and contributes to a well-rounded taste profile.
Soy Sauce: Adding depth and complexity, soy sauce enhances the savory flavors of the stew. Its rich, salty taste complements the other ingredients and adds depth to the sauce.
Low Sodium Beef Broth: Beef broth serves as the liquid base for the stew, providing moisture and flavor. Opt for low-sodium broth to control the salt content of the dish.
Umami Seasoning: Optional but I love what it adds to the dish! A blend of onion powder, dried mushroom powder, mustard seed, red pepper, and dried thyme, umami seasoning adds depth and complexity to the stew. It enhances the savory flavors and contributes to a rich taste profile.
Tomato Paste: Tomato paste adds richness and depth to the stew, providing a hint of sweetness and acidity. It helps to thicken the sauce and enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
Star Anise: With its subtle licorice flavor, star anise adds warmth and complexity to the stew. It infuses the dish with aromatic fragrance and enhances its overall taste profile.
fresh herbs
Fresh thyme sprigs impart earthy, herbaceous flavor to the stew; parsley adds brightness; and bay leaves add depth of flavor and complexity to the stew.
FAQ
Can I use a different cut of meat for this stew? While chuck roast is recommended for its tenderness and flavor, you can also use other cuts such as stewing beef or brisket. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure the meat becomes tender.
How do I thicken the stew? If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mix additional flour with water to create a slurry and stir it into the stew during the cooking process. Alternatively, let the stew simmer uncovered for a longer period to allow the liquid to reduce and thicken naturally.
Can I make this stew in a slow cooker? Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker by browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables before transferring everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
How should I store leftovers? Allow the stew to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze for longer storage. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until heated through before serving.
Hearty & Easy Beef Stew
Equipment
- 1 Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Chuck roast
- ½ tsp salt and pepper to season chuck
- 4 tbsp flour
- 16 oz frozen peas thawed
- 4 medium celery sticks
- 4 cloves garlic crushed
- 3 large carrots
- 1 yellow onion
- 1.5 lbs yukon gold potatoes
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp vegetable bouillon I love the better than bouillon brand
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 tsp Umami seasoning onion powder, dried mushroom powder, mustard seed, red pepper, dried thyme
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 Star anise
- 2-3 sprigs thyme
- Parsley for garnish
- 2 bay leaves
- Avocado oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325F.
- Cut your beef into 2" chunks and salt and pepper them. I used a tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Dice your onions, celery, and carrots and set aside.
- Heat your avocado oil on medium high heat for 4 minutes. Add in your beef and sear for 4-5 minutes on both sides or until nice and browned on both sides. Set aside once browned.
- Turn the heat down to medium and add in your veggies to the same pan. Make sure to scrape all that delicious fond on the bottom of the pan. Sauté the vegetables for 5 minutes.
- Add in your tomato paste and cook that down for 4 minutes.
- Add your beef back in and your flour. Combine until all the flour is fully incorporated.
- Add in the red wine, beef broth, vegetable bouillon, Worcestire sauce, soy sauce, and umami seasoning. Let simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add in your thyme, bay leaf, and star of anise. Cover and cook on 325F for 2 hours.
- Once the two hours are done, dice your potatoes and add to your stew. Cover and cook for another 30 minutes.
- Add in your frozen peas and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- Top with parsley and serve!
