Cozy Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe: Homemade Comfort Magic

Crafting a hearty beef stew with old fashioned techniques brings warmth to chilly evenings.

Slow-cooked meat melts into rich, velvety gravy that hugs each vegetable perfectly.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this comforting classic through patient simmering and deep flavor layering.

Tender chunks of beef absorb aromatic herbs and robust seasonings during a long, gentle cooking process.

Rustic ingredients combine to create a dish that speaks directly to your soul’s hunger.

Memories of grandmother’s kitchen emerge with every spoonful of this timeless meal.

You’ll savor every bite of this deeply satisfying culinary tradition that connects us to simpler cooking methods.

Old Fashioned Beef Stew Overview

• Comfort Food Champion: A hearty, soul-warming dish that wraps you in delicious nostalgia and brings families together around the dinner table.
• Master Low-and-Slow Cooking: Requires minimal hands-on effort with simple techniques like browning meat and simmering, perfect for home cooks wanting rich, deep flavors without complex preparation.
• Adaptable One-Pot Wonder: Versatile recipe that allows easy substitutions of vegetables or meat cuts, making it friendly for different dietary preferences and pantry ingredients.
• Meal Prep Magic: Incredible make-ahead option that tastes even better the next day, with flavors developing and intensifying overnight, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or weekend meal planning.

Ingredients for Old Fashioned Beef Stew

• Beef: A hearty meat that becomes tender and flavorful when slow-cooked in the stew.

• Onion, Garlic: Provide a rich, deep base flavor to the stew.
• Thyme, Rosemary: Classic herbs that add earthy and aromatic notes to the dish.
• Tomato Paste: Contributes a deep, concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the stew.

• Beef Broth: Creates the flavorful liquid base for the stew.
• Red Wine: Adds depth and complexity to the overall taste of the dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.
• Olive Oil: Used for browning the beef and sautéing the aromatics.
• Flour: Helps to thicken the stew and create a more robust consistency.

• Carrots, Potatoes, Celery: Hearty vegetables that add nutrition, texture, and substance to the stew.

How to Make Old Fashioned Beef Stew

Step 1: Sear the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.

Brown beef chunks in batches, creating a rich golden crust.

Transfer seared beef to a separate plate.

Step 2: Build Flavor Base

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic

Cook until onions become translucent and fragrant.

Step 3: Enhance Aromatics

• Tomato paste
• Fresh thyme
• Rosemary leaves

Pour red wine and let it simmer for 2 minutes, releasing deep flavors.

Step 4: Create Liquid Foundation

Add beef broth and return beef to the pot.

Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 5: Slow Cook Beef

Cover pot and reduce heat.

Simmer for 1.5-2 hours until beef becomes meltingly tender.

Step 6: Add Vegetable Medley

• Chunky carrots
• Diced potatoes
• Sliced celery

Simmer for 30-40 minutes until vegetables are perfectly soft.

Step 7: Thicken Stew

Whisk flour with water to create a smooth slurry.

Stir into stew during final 10 minutes of cooking.

Step 8: Final Seasoning

Sprinkle salt and black pepper.

Taste and adjust seasoning.

Serve piping hot with crusty sourdough bread.

Helpful Tips for Beef Stew Success

• Brown meat in small batches to ensure each piece develops a rich, caramelized exterior without steaming, which helps lock in deep flavor.
• Choose a dry red wine like cabernet or merlot to add complexity and depth to the stew's overall taste profile.
• Keep the heat low and steady during simmering to help tough beef cuts break down slowly, creating incredibly tender meat that melts in your mouth.
• Mix flour with cold water before adding to prevent lumps, creating a smooth, velvety texture that helps the stew cling perfectly to vegetables and meat.
• Add root vegetables like carrots and potatoes later in cooking to prevent them from becoming mushy, maintaining their ideal texture and nutritional value.

Flavor Variations for Old Fashioned Beef Stew

• Vegetarian Comfort Stew: Replace beef with hearty mushrooms like portobello or mixed wild mushrooms, using vegetable broth for rich flavor and maintaining the same cooking technique.
• Lamb Mediterranean Style: Swap beef with tender lamb chunks, add oregano and a touch of red wine vinegar for a Greek-inspired version with deeper Mediterranean notes.
• Slow Cooker Easy Route: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning meat, cook on low for 6-8 hours for hands-off preparation with same delicious results.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening, ensure gluten-free broth, and serve over cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative that keeps the classic stew essence.

Serving Suggestions for Old Fashioned Beef Stew

• Rustic Bread Companion: Slice a hearty sourdough or french baguette to soak up the rich, savory stew broth, adding delightful texture and flavor.
• Cozy Winter Meal Pairing: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the stew's deep, robust meat flavors.
• Elegant Wine Match: Pour a medium-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the beef's richness and enhance the overall dining experience.
• Hearty Side Suggestion: Prepare creamy mashed potatoes as a complementary side, creating a classic comfort food combination that warms the soul.

Storage Tips for Beef Stew Leftovers

• Transfer cooled stew to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover tightly to prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Pack stew in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Place stew in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly.

FAQs

• Why brown the beef before cooking?

Browning creates a delicious caramelized exterior that adds deep, rich flavor to the meat through a process called Maillard reaction, which develops complex taste profiles.

• Can I use a different type of meat?

While beef chuck is traditional, you can substitute with similar tough cuts like beef round or beef brisket that become tender with slow cooking.

• What's the best way to ensure tender meat?

Low and slow cooking is key. Simmering the beef at a gentle temperature for 1.5-2 hours breaks down tough muscle fibers, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth meat.

• How do I prevent the stew from becoming watery?

Use flour or cornstarch as a thickener in the last 10 minutes of cooking, and avoid adding too much liquid initially. This helps create a rich, thick consistency.

Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty old fashioned beef stew showcases tender meat simmered with root vegetables in a rich, savory broth. Rustic comfort emerges from slow-cooked ingredients that nourish and warm you deeply.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes

Vegetables:

• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 large carrots, sliced
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 4 cups (946 milliliters) beef broth
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) red wine
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons (16 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat (around 350°F) and methodically brown meat segments, creating rich caramelized edges.
2. Using the same pot, gently sauté onions and garlic until aromatic and translucent, releasing their deep flavors.
3. Introduce tomato paste and herbaceous thyme and rosemary, creating a robust flavor foundation. Deglaze with red wine, allowing alcohol to evaporate for approximately 2 minutes.
4. Pour beef broth into the pot and reintroduce previously browned meat, elevating liquid to a gentle simmer.
5. Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and allow stew to slowly tenderize for 1.5-2 hours, developing complex flavors and ensuring meat becomes meltingly soft.
6. Incorporate hearty root vegetables – carrots, potatoes, and celery – continuing to simmer for an additional 30-40 minutes until vegetables reach perfect tenderness.
7. To enhance stew’s consistency, create a quick slurry by whisking flour with water, then gently stirring into bubbling liquid during final cooking moments.
8. Calibrate seasoning with salt and freshly cracked pepper, ensuring balanced flavor profile. Serve piping hot alongside rustic crusty bread for optimal enjoyment.

Notes

• Ensure beef is cut into uniform 1-inch cubes for even cooking and tender texture.
• Pat meat dry before browning to create a beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in rich flavors.
• Use chuck roast or beef stew meat for maximum tenderness and rich marbling.
• For gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder to thicken stew.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 390 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg