Beef Stew Recipe
Beef Stew is a classic comfort food featuring tender beef simmered with onions, garlic, carrots, potatoes, and aromatic herbs and spices in a rich and flavorful broth. This hearty stew is perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests, and is sure to become a favorite recipe for cozy evenings at home. Enjoy the homemade goodness of Beef Stew!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine optional
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 4 large carrots peeled and chopped
- 4 medium potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 cup frozen peas optional
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season the beef stew meat generously with salt and black pepper. Place the flour in a shallow dish and dredge the meat in the flour until evenly coated.
- In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the dredged beef stew meat in batches and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the browned meat from the pot and set aside.
- Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Return the browned beef stew meat to the pot. Pour in the beef broth and red wine (if using), stirring to deglaze the bottom of the pot.
- Add the bay leaves, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and paprika to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- After 1 hour of simmering, add the chopped carrots and diced potatoes to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Continue to simmer the stew, covered, for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- If using frozen peas, add them to the stew during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper, if needed.
- Remove the bay leaves from the stew before serving.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Some tips for this recipe:
- For extra flavor, use bone-in beef stew meat or add a beef bone to the pot while simmering.
- Feel free to customize the stew with your favorite vegetables, such as celery, parsnips, or mushrooms.
- Serve the beef stew with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a complete meal.