Hearty and soul-warming, this stovetop Beef Stew Recipe is slow-cooked for maximum flavor. Made with chuck roast and fresh veggies, and seasoned with red wine, tomatoes, and herbs, this traditional recipe is the ultimate comfort food.
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What’s in Beef Stew?
If you’re on the hunt for a big bowl of comfort, give homemade beef stew a try! Chunks of beef are slow-cooked in a flavorful broth on the stove for a rich and delicious winter meal the whole family will love.
- Chuck Roast: A flavorful cut of beef that becomes tender and juicy when cooked low and slow.
- Salt + Pepper: Enhance the natural flavor of the beef.
- All-Purpose Flour: Coats the beef chunks to create a browned crust and helps to thicken the stew.
- Vegetable Oil: Helps the beef brown without burning.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the stew and helps create a silky sauce.
- Onions: Add a sweet, savory, and earthy flavor.
- Garlic: Adds an earthy flavor and a pungent aroma.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Adds acidity and brightness to balance the richness of the stew.
- Tomato Paste: Adds a rich, tomatoey flavor to the stew and helps thicken the sauce.
- Red Wine: Adds a deep, complex flavor and helps tenderize the meat.
- Beef Broth: Adds moisture and richness to the dish.
- Water: Helps the stew reach the correct consistency.
- Bay Leaves: Add a unique earthy and herbal flavor.
- Dried Thyme: Adds a rich herbal flavor.
- Carrots: Add sweetness, color, and texture to the stew.
- Baby Potatoes: Make this stew hearty and creamy.
Pro Tip: Cabernet Sauvignon is my favorite red wine to use in this beef stew!
Variations on the Best Beef Stew Recipe
Feel free to change up the veggies. Use your favorites! Peas, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and kale are all delicious additions. For an alcohol-free version, swap the wine for more beef broth.
I love making this beef stew with chuck roast. Cut it into 2-inch chunks before using it in the recipe.
Yes and no. This recipe is high in protein, potassium, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. However, it is also high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Enjoy this recipe in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
This recipe takes about 3½ hours to cook. Low and slow is key to tender beef!
Replace the wine with the same amount of beef broth.
I like to use flour because it is dual purpose– it helps the beef brown early on, and then it helps thicken the stew later. Tomato paste also helps thicken up this stew.
Yes. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Once the stew begins to boil on the stove in step 6, cover and cook in the oven for about 2 hours. Once the beef is tender, stir in the vegetables and cook, covered, for another hour.
The secret to good beef stew is to choose the right cut of meat. I prefer chuck roast, but brisket or round are also good choices.
It’s important to ensure that your beef is properly seasoned. I recommend ½-¾ teaspoon per pound of beef. Don’t be afraid to taste and add more seasonings as you go!
Yes; however, the potatoes may turn mushy once thawed.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pot set over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Freeze beef stew whole or in individual portions in airtight containers or Ziplock bags for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Pair a hearty bowl of beef stew with cornbread or homemade dinner rolls and veggies, like baked green beans or garlic roasted asparagus.
Beef Stew Recipe
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chuck roast cut into 2-inch cubes
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (¼ stick)
- 2 onions cut into 1-inch chunks
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 ½ tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 3 cups low sodium beef broth
- 2 cups water
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 4 carrots cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 pound baby gold potatoes cut in half
Instructions
- Season the beef with salt and pepper.3 pounds chuck roast, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Add the flour to a shallow bowl and dredge the beef chunks in the flour, coating all sides.¼ cup all-purpose flour
- Heat the oil and butter in a large Dutch oven set over medium-high heat. Add the beef, in batches if needed, and sear on all sides until golden brown. Remove from the pot and set aside.2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the onions and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.2 onions, 4 cloves garlic
- Add the vinegar and scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Stir in the tomato paste, and cook for another minute.2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 ½ tablespoons tomato paste
- Stir in the red wine, beef broth, water, bay leaves, thyme, and seared beef. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 1 ½-2 hours or until the beef is tender.1 cup red wine, 3 cups low sodium beef broth, 2 cups water, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Add the carrots and potatoes, cover, and continue to cook until the vegetables are tender, about 30-60 minutes. Serve and enjoy!4 carrots, 1 pound baby gold potatoes
Video
Becky’s Tips
- Searing the beef creates an incredible texture and adds so much flavor. Don’t skip this step!
- Use a large, heavy-bottomed pot for this stew. I love using my Dutch oven as it distributes the heat more evenly.
- Cabernet Sauvignon is my favorite red wine to use in this beef stew!
- Oven Instructions: To braise this beef stew in the oven, preheat the oven to 325°F. Once the stew begins to boil on the stove in step 6, cover and cook in the oven for about 2 hours. Once the beef is tender, stir in the vegetables and cook, covered, for another hour.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
