Hearty Beef, Potato & Carrot Stew

Description

This hearty beef stew is the ultimate comfort food, packed with tender, juicy beef, golden potatoes, sweet carrots, and a rich savory broth. Slow cooking makes the beef wonderfully tender and flavorful.

 Time

• Prep: 20 minutes
• Cook: 2½–3 hours
• Total: About 3 hours 20 minutes
• Servings: 6

 Ingredients

• 2 lbs (900 g) beef chuck, cut into 1½-inch cubes
• 1½ lbs baby potatoes, halved
• 3 large carrots, sliced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine or additional beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Season the beef: Pat the beef dry and season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches for 2–3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
3. Cook the aromatics: Add the onion and cook for 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste and cook for another minute.
4. Add flour: Sprinkle in the flour and stir for about 1 minute.
5. Deglaze: Slowly pour in the red wine, scraping the browned bits from the bottom.
6. Build the stew: Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Return the beef to the pot.
7. Slow cook: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low for about 1½–2 hours.
8. Add vegetables: Add the potatoes and carrots. Cover and continue cooking for 45–60 minutes, until the beef and vegetables are fork-tender.
9. Finish: Remove the bay leaves. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
10. Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot.

 Healthy Benefits

• Beef provides protein, iron, and vitamin B12.
• Carrots provide beta-carotene and fiber.
• Potatoes provide potassium and carbohydrates for energy.
• Using plenty of vegetables makes the stew filling and satisfying.

 Pro Tip

For the deepest flavor, brown the beef well in batches instead of overcrowding the pot. Those browned bits create a richer stew.

 Frequency

This is a hearty comfort meal that can be enjoyed occasionally or once a week, paired with a light salad or extra vegetables.

Q/A

Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown the beef first, then cook everything except the potatoes for 7–8 hours on LOW. Add potatoes during the final 2–3 hours.

Q: Can I skip the wine?
Absolutely. Replace it with an equal amount of beef broth.

Q: How do I make the stew thicker?
Let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes, or mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir it into the simmering stew.

 Serve

Serve hot with:

• Crusty bread
• Dinner rolls
• Green salad
• Steamed green beans
• Mashed potatoes

 Variations

• Mushroom Beef Stew: Add 8 oz sliced mushrooms.
• Herb Beef Stew: Add extra thyme, rosemary, and parsley.
• Spicy: Add red pepper flakes.
• Slow Cooker: Prepare in the crockpot for an easy hands-off meal.
• Vegetable Loaded: Add peas, celery, or green beans.

 Related Recipe Ideas

• Old-Fashioned Beef Stew
• Slow Cooker Beef Roast
• French Onion Beef Stew
• Beef & Barley Soup
• Crockpot Chuck Roast
• Beef Tips with Gravy

 Final Thought

A bowl of tender beef, buttery potatoes, sweet carrots, and rich gravy is the kind of warm, homemade comfort food that brings everyone to the table.