🥘 Best Ever Beef Stew | Rich, Hearty & Full of Flavor

 

🥘 Best Ever Beef Stew | Rich, Hearty & Full of Flavor

❤️ The Ultimate Comfort Dish

When it comes to cold-weather comfort food, nothing beats a bowl of homemade beef stew.
Tender chunks of beef simmered in a rich, savory broth with carrots, potatoes, and onions — every spoonful is pure, cozy perfection.

This recipe is slow-cooked to build deep, layered flavor — the kind that makes your kitchen smell amazing and your heart (and stomach) happy.

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🧺 Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1½-inch cubes

• 3 tbsp olive oil or butter

• 1 onion, diced

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 3 tbsp flour (for coating beef)

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 4 cups beef broth

• 1 cup red wine (optional but adds richness)

• 3 carrots, sliced

• 3 potatoes, cubed

• 2 celery stalks, chopped

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 tsp thyme

• ½ tsp rosemary

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 cup peas (optional, for the end)

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🧑‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Beef

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high.
Season beef with salt and pepper, then toss lightly in flour.
Brown beef on all sides — this builds flavor. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

In the same pot, sauté onion, celery, and garlic for 2–3 minutes.
Add tomato paste and stir to coat — this gives the stew that deep, rich color.

Step 3: Deglaze and Simmer

Pour in red wine (if using) to deglaze the pot, scraping up all those flavorful bits.
Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, bay leaf, and the browned beef.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 1½ to 2 hours, until beef is fork-tender.

Step 4: Add the Vegetables

Add carrots and potatoes. Simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes, until vegetables are tender and the stew thickens naturally.

Step 5: Finish & Serve

Remove the bay leaf. Stir in peas (if using) and cook 5 more minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning.

Serve hot with crusty bread, biscuits, or mashed potatoes.

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🌟 Tips for the Richest Flavor

• Use beef chuck roast — it becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender.

• Brown the meat well; that’s where the flavor starts.

• Don’t rush — slow simmering develops depth and richness.

• A splash of balsamic vinegar or soy sauce at the end adds umami.

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🥣 Serving Ideas

Pair your rich beef stew with:

• Buttery mashed potatoes 🥔

• Warm dinner rolls or cornbread 🍞

• A crisp green salad 🥗

• A glass of red wine 🍷

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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Best Ever Beef Stew is:

• Comforting and deeply flavorful 🍲

• Perfectly thick and hearty 🥩

• Simple to make — just simmer and serve

• Great for meal prep or freezing