Description
Hearty beef pumpkin stew brings warmth to autumn dinner tables with rich, comforting flavors from Mexico. Robust meat and seasonal pumpkin meld together in a satisfying one-pot meal you can savor slowly.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) beef stew meat, cut into cubes
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) pumpkin, peeled and cubed
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Aromatics and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) beef broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a hefty cooking vessel over medium-high heat, creating a perfect searing environment for the meat cubes.
- Carefully place meat pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper, and develop a rich golden-brown exterior by rotating pieces systematically.
- Introduce finely diced onions and minced garlic, allowing them to transform and become translucent while releasing aromatic essence.
- Sprinkle cumin, paprika, and cinnamon into the mixture, stirring continuously to awaken the spices’ complex flavor profile.
- Pour beef broth into the pot, accompanied by a single bay leaf, escalating temperature until liquid reaches a vigorous boil.
- Immediately reduce heat to a gentle simmer, creating a tender cooking environment for approximately 45-60 minutes.
- Incorporate chunky pumpkin cubes, ensuring they are fully submerged in the liquid, and continue simmering until meat becomes exceptionally tender and pumpkin softens.
- Taste and refine seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed, ensuring a balanced flavor composition.
- Discard the bay leaf before transferring the stew to serving dishes.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to enhance visual appeal and add a subtle herbaceous note.
Notes
- Choose tough, marbled beef cuts like chuck or shoulder for maximum flavor and tenderness during slow cooking.
- Toast spices briefly before adding liquids to enhance their aromatic depth and release more complex flavor profiles.
- Dice pumpkin into uniform 1-inch cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the stew.
- Consider substituting vegetable broth and using plant-based protein for a delicious vegetarian version that maintains rich, warming flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg