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–+ servings

Beef Stew

A hearty and flavorful beef stew packed with tender chunks of beef, vegetables, and a rich sauce, perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Comfort Food
Servings 6 servings
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1.2 kg chuck beef, cut into 3.5 cm cubes
  • 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 large onion, halved then cut into 1 cm slices
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 carrots, cut into 2.5 cm pieces on the diagonal
  • 2 celery stalks, cut into 2.5 cm pieces
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 3 cups beef broth, salt reduced
  • 2 cups red wine (bold and dry) e.g., Cab Sauv or Merlot
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 bay leaves fresh or dried
  • 4 sprigs thyme
  • 400 g baby potatoes, halved
  • More salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper.
  • Heat 1 1/2 tbsp oil in a large, heavy-based casserole pot over high heat until just starting to smoke.
  • Add 1/3 of the beef and brown aggressively all over for about 4 minutes. Remove to a bowl and repeat with the remaining beef, adding more oil if required.
  • Turn down the heat to medium-high. Add 1 tbsp oil if required. Add onion and garlic, cooking for 2 minutes until the onion is softened slightly and golden on the edge.
  • Add carrot and celery, stir for 1 minute to coat in flavors.
  • Sprinkle flour evenly across the surface, then stir to coat.

Cooking

  • Add broth, red wine, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to dissolve the tomato paste and flour into the liquid.
  • Add cooked beef (including any juices), thyme, bay leaf, and potato. Stir. The water level should almost fully cover everything; if not, add a bit of water.
  • Bring to a simmer, then adjust the heat to low/medium-low so it simmers gently.
  • Cover and cook for 1 hour 45 minutes or until the beef is pretty tender. Check with 2 forks at 1.5 hours.
  • Remove the lid and simmer for a further 30 minutes or until the sauce reduces slightly. It should be like a thin gravy, and the beef should now be very tender.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serving

  • Serve over creamy mashed potatoes with a sprig of fresh thyme for decoration or a sprinkle of parsley.

Notes

Browning the beef well adds depth to the flavor, so don’t rush this step! You can customize this recipe by adding different vegetables like peas or mushrooms. For an even richer flavor, consider using homemade beef broth if you have it on hand.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 30gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g
Keyword Beef Stew, Comfort Food, Family Dinner, Hearty Meal, Slow Cooked
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