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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat (around 350°F) and methodically brown meat segments, creating rich caramelized edges.
- Using the same pot, gently sauté onions and garlic until aromatic and translucent, releasing their deep flavors.
- 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.
- Pour beef broth into the pot and reintroduce previously browned meat, elevating liquid to a gentle simmer.
- 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.
- Incorporate hearty root vegetables – carrots, potatoes, and celery – continuing to simmer for an additional 30-40 minutes until vegetables reach perfect tenderness.
- To enhance stew’s consistency, create a quick slurry by whisking flour with water, then gently stirring into bubbling liquid during final cooking moments.
- 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