Easy Homemade Beef Stew
This easy homemade beef stew is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth. Perfect for cold nights, this classic beef stew recipe is simple to make, deeply satisfying, and packed with nourishing ingredients. Serve it with crusty bread or mashed potatoes for a complete meal!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 to 2.5 hour
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner, Comfort Food
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch chunks, excess fat removed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ yellow onion, chopped large
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large carrot (or two small-medium), cut into 2-inch chunks
- 2 Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into 2-inch pieces
- 2 cups beef broth
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven – Set your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Season and Dredge the Beef – In a large bowl, season beef chunks with salt and pepper. Sprinkle flour over the beef and toss to coat.
- Sear the Beef – Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the beef on all sides in batches (3-4 minutes per batch). Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables – Add onions, garlic, and carrots to the pot. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Deglaze and Combine Ingredients – Stir in potatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and thyme. Scrape the bottom to incorporate browned bits.
- Return Beef and Simmer – Add the beef back to the pot, ensuring it's submerged. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Braise in the Oven – Cover and transfer to the oven. Cook for 2 to 2.5 hours until the beef is tender.
- Finish and Serve – Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve warm.
Notes
- For extra depth, deglaze with 1 cup of red wine before adding broth.
- Add peas, green beans, or mushrooms for more vegetables.
- To thicken the stew, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir it in.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day!
Find it online: https://recipesbyjanet.com/easy-homemade-beef-stew/
