The Best Hearty Homemade Beef Stew Recipe for Cold Days

On chilly evenings, nothing warms the soul quite like a hearty homemade beef stew recipe that simmers with rich, comforting flavors.

Tender chunks of beef melt into a velvety broth packed with colorful vegetables and aromatic herbs.

Each spoonful tells a story of slow-cooked perfection, blending rustic ingredients into a nourishing meal.

The meat becomes incredibly tender, falling apart with the gentlest touch of a spoon.

Robust root vegetables add depth and substance to this classic dish.

Layers of seasoning create a complex taste that dances across your palate.

This stew promises to become your new go-to comfort food, delivering warmth and satisfaction in every delicious bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for Homemade Beef Stew

• Beef Chuck Roast: Choose a well-marbled cut for tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that adds rich depth to the stew's flavor profile.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances the meat's natural taste and helps tenderize the beef during cooking.
• Coarsely Ground Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and aromatic kick to the meat's seasoning.
• Gluten-free All-Purpose Flour: Creates a light coating that helps seal in juices and thickens the stew's sauce.

• Yellow Onion, Garlic Cloves: These flavor powerhouses build a robust, savory foundation that brings warmth and complexity to the entire dish.
• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth cooking medium and adds a hint of Mediterranean richness.

• Carrot, Yukon Gold Potatoes: Adds beautiful color, natural sweetness, and satisfying texture to the stew.
• Beef Broth: Creates a luxurious, flavor-packed liquid that infuses every bite with deep, meaty goodness.
• Tomato Paste: Introduces a concentrated, tangy richness that deepens the stew's overall flavor profile.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a secret weapon of umami and subtle tanginess that elevates the entire dish.
• Bay Leaf: Offers a subtle, earthy note that rounds out the stew's complex flavor.
• Fresh Thyme Leaves: Provides a bright, herbaceous finish that cuts through the rich, hearty base.

Tools to Simmer Homemade Beef Stew Just Right

• Dutch oven: Heavy-bottomed pot perfect for browning meat and slow cooking stew.
• Wooden spoon: Essential for stirring and scraping browned bits from pot bottom.
• Large plate: Used for transferring browned beef during cooking process.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure salt, pepper, and other seasonings.
• Sharp knife: Needed for cutting beef chunks, onions, carrots, and potatoes.
• Cutting board: Provides stable surface for chopping ingredients.

Instructions for Crafting a Hearty Homemade Beef Stew

• Seasoning Preparation

Get a sturdy pot and select premium beef chunks. Create a flavor foundation by generously coating the meat with salt and pepper.

• Meat Browning

Warm olive oil in a heavy cooking vessel. Transform the beef pieces into a golden-brown delight, developing rich caramelized edges that promise deep flavor.

• Vegetable Foundation

Introduce colorful chopped onions, garlic, and carrots into the pot. Let them dance and soften, releasing their natural sweetness and creating a robust base.

• Liquid Magic

Pour in fragrant beef broth, a splash of tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Sprinkle herbs like thyme and add a bay leaf for complexity. Gently mix everything together.

• Slow Transformation

Cover the pot and transfer to a warm oven. Allow the stew to slowly simmer, letting the beef become meltingly tender and the flavors meld into a comforting symphony.

• Final Touch

After several hours, remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve this hearty creation in deep bowls, ready to warm hearts and satisfy hunger.

Flavor Variations for Homemade Beef Stew Lovers

• Beef Stew Cooking Tips & Variations
• Meat Selection Magic: Choose chuck roast or bottom round for maximum tenderness and rich flavor. These cuts have excellent marbling that melts during slow cooking, creating mouthwatering results.
• Veggie Versatility: Swap classic carrots and potatoes with parsnips, turnips, or sweet potatoes for exciting flavor twists. Root vegetables absorb the stew's delicious broth beautifully.
• Wine Depth Boost: Splash a half-cup of red wine like cabernet or merlot during cooking to enhance the beef's richness. The alcohol cooks off, leaving incredible depth and complexity.
• Herb Garden Upgrade: Experiment with fresh rosemary, sage, or oregano instead of thyme. Fresh herbs brighten the stew's overall flavor profile and add beautiful aromatic notes.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This beef stew tastes even better the next day. Store in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors continue developing, creating an even more delicious meal.

How to Serve Homemade Beef Stew Like a Pro

• Cozy Comfort Meal Companions: Serve this hearty beef stew with warm, crusty bread for soaking up the rich, flavorful broth.
• Rustic Sidekick Selections: Pair the stew with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles to create a complete, satisfying meal that'll warm your soul.
• Winter Wellness Plating: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or thyme to add a bright, herbal touch and enhance the stew's robust flavors. Sprinkle some green goodness on top for a pop of color and extra freshness.
• Beverage Harmony: Complement the rich beef stew with a glass of full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or a dark craft beer to elevate the dining experience and balance the hearty flavors.

Storing Homemade Beef Stew for Tasty Leftovers

• Refrigerator Ready Stash: Store leftover beef stew in airtight containers for up to 4 days, keeping the hearty flavors locked in and ready for quick reheating.
• Freezer Friend Strategy: Portion the stew into freezer-safe containers, allowing it to cool completely before sealing. These delicious meals will stay fresh for 3 months, perfect for busy weeknights or unexpected dinner cravings.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Gently warm the stew on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and maintain the original rich texture. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Batch Cooking Magic: Double the recipe and create multiple meals in one cooking session. Separate portions make meal planning a breeze, giving you delicious home-cooked comfort food without daily cooking stress.

Hearty Beef Stew Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty beef stew from grandma’s kitchen brings comfort and warmth to winter dinners. Rich beef, tender vegetables, and savory broth combine for a soul-satisfying meal people crave when winter winds blow.

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Ingredients

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• 2 pounds (907 g) beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch chunks, excess fat removed
• 2 Yukon gold potatoes, diced into 2-inch pieces
• 1 large carrot (or 2 small-medium), cut into 2-inch chunks
• 0.5 yellow onion, chopped large
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (16 g) gluten-free all-purpose flour (or whole wheat for non-gluten)
• 2 cups (473 ml) beef broth
• 0.25 cup (59 ml) tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon (2.5 g) coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons (2 g) fresh thyme leaves, to garnish

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Thoroughly dredge beef chunks in seasoned flour, creating a protective coating that will caramelize and intensify flavor during cooking.
2. Searing: In a spacious Dutch oven, brown meat in batches, developing a rich golden crust that locks in juices and creates a flavor-packed foundation for the stew.
3. Vegetable Base: Sauté onions, carrots, and celery until they become translucent and slightly caramelized, releasing their aromatic essence into the cooking vessel.
4. Liquid Integration: Pour in red wine, beef broth, and tomato paste, vigorously scraping the pot’s bottom to incorporate all deeply developed flavor compounds and culinary sediment.
5. Herb and Seasoning Infusion: Add fresh thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, garlic, and black pepper, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the developing stew.
6. Braising Process: Cover and transfer to a preheated 325°F oven, allowing the stew to slowly simmer for 2-3 hours until meat becomes extraordinarily tender and flavors meld completely.
7. Final Refinement: Remove bay leaf, taste and adjust seasoning, ensuring a perfectly balanced and deeply satisfying culinary experience that celebrates rustic comfort and sophisticated flavor complexity.

Notes

• Flour Power: Fully coat beef chunks in seasoned flour to create a deliciously crispy exterior that locks in flavor and helps thicken the stew.
• Sear with Care: Brown meat in batches to develop deep caramelization, which builds a rich flavor foundation for the entire dish.
• Veggie Magic: Sauté vegetables until they reach a golden amber color, releasing their natural sweetness and adding complexity to the stew.
• Flavor Maximizing: Deglaze the pot thoroughly, scraping up browned bits from the bottom to capture every bit of concentrated deliciousness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg