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Cozy Classic Beef Stew Recipe Easy Homemade Comfort Food

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A rich and hearty beef stew with tender beef, carrots, potatoes, and a savory broth, perfect for cozy dinners and comfort food cravings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1½-inch cubes
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch/gluten-free flour for gluten-free option)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 4 cups (32 fl oz) low-sodium beef broth
  • ½ cup (4 fl oz) red wine (optional)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or a few sprigs fresh thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Cut the beef into 1½-inch cubes, peel and chop vegetables, and measure out your broth and seasonings (about 15 minutes).
  2. Dredge the beef: Toss the beef cubes with flour in a large bowl until lightly coated.
  3. Brown the beef: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef in batches to avoid overcrowding. Brown on all sides until deep golden crust forms, about 5-7 minutes per batch. Transfer beef to a plate.
  4. Sauté the aromatics: In the same pot, reduce heat to medium and add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook about 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute more.
  5. Deglaze the pot: Pour in red wine (if using) and scrape browned bits from the bottom. Let reduce for 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add tomato paste and herbs: Stir in tomato paste, bay leaves, and thyme. Cook 1-2 minutes.
  7. Return beef and add liquids: Put browned beef back in pot. Pour in beef broth until meat and vegetables are just covered (about 4 cups). Season with salt and pepper.
  8. Simmer low and slow: Bring stew to a gentle boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally until beef is fork-tender.
  9. Add potatoes: About 30 minutes before serving, add cubed potatoes and cook until tender but not mushy.
  10. Final seasoning and garnish: Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top before serving.

Notes

Brown beef in batches to develop deep flavor. Deglaze pot well to incorporate browned bits. Add potatoes late to avoid mushiness. Adjust thickness by adding broth or simmering uncovered. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour. Slow cooker and Instant Pot adaptations available.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stew, classic beef stew, comfort food, easy beef stew, homemade stew, slow cooker beef stew, hearty stew

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/cozy-classic-beef-stew-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-food/