Hearty Old-Fashioned Beef Stew

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6)

For the Stew:

• 2½ lbs (1.1 kg) beef chuck roast, cut into 1½-inch cubes

• 2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour

• 3 tbsp olive oil (or bacon fat for extra flavor)

• 1 large onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 cup dry red wine (optional but recommended)

• 4 cups beef broth (low sodium)

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• ½ tsp dried rosemary

Vegetables:

• 4 carrots, cut into chunks

• 1 lb baby potatoes (or 3 large potatoes, cubed)

• 2 celery stalks, sliced

• 1 cup pearl onions (optional)

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1 cup mushrooms, halved

• 1 tsp sugar (if tomatoes taste acidic)

• 1 tbsp butter (for finishing)

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

🔥 Step 1: Prep & Season the Beef

1. Pat beef dry with paper towels (this helps browning).

2. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Toss with flour until lightly coated.

🔥 Step 2: Brown the Meat (Important!)

1. Heat oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

2. Brown beef in batches — do NOT overcrowd.

3. Sear each side 3–4 minutes until deeply browned.

4. Remove and set aside.

👉 Browning builds the rich stew flavor.

🧅 Step 3: Build the Base

1. In the same pot, reduce heat to medium.

2. Add onion and cook 5 minutes until soft.

3. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.

4. Add tomato paste and cook 1–2 minutes to deepen flavor.

🍷 Step 4: Deglaze

1. Pour in red wine.

2. Scrape the browned bits from the bottom (this is flavor gold).

3. Let simmer 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.

🥣 Step 5: Simmer Low & Slow

1. Return beef to the pot.

2. Add broth, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, and bay leaves.

3. Bring to a gentle boil.

4. Reduce to low, cover, and simmer 1½ hours.

🥕 Step 6: Add Vegetables

1. Add carrots, potatoes, celery, and pearl onions.

2. Simmer uncovered 45–60 minutes more.

3. Stew is done when:

   • Beef is fork-tender

   • Potatoes are soft

   • Broth has thickened

🧈 Step 7: Finish & Adjust

• Remove bay leaves.

• Taste and adjust salt & pepper.

• Stir in 1 tbsp butter for silky richness (optional).

• Garnish with fresh parsley.

⏳ Slow Cooker Version

1. Brown beef and sauté onions first (don’t skip).

2. Transfer everything to slow cooker.

3. Cook:

   • LOW 7–8 hours

   • HIGH 4–5 hours

4. Add vegetables halfway through if you prefer firmer texture.

🔥 Oven Method (Best Flavor)

• After assembling, cover and cook at 325°F (160°C) for 2½–3 hours.

💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Stew

• Use chuck roast — it becomes tender and juicy.

• Simmer gently, never boil hard.

• Stew tastes even better the next day.

• If too thin: simmer uncovered 10–15 minutes.

• If too thick: add a splash of broth.