Description
A hearty and comforting Beef Stew featuring tender cubed beef simmered with potatoes, carrots, celery, peas, and aromatic herbs in a rich broth thickened to perfection. This classic stew is perfect for a cozy meal and comes together with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Seasoning
- 2 pounds stewing beef, trimmed and cubed
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cooking and Vegetables
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 6 cups beef broth
- ½ cup red wine (optional)
- 1 pound potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 ribs celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or 1 fresh sprig)
Thickening and Finishing
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- ¾ cup peas
Instructions
- Prepare the beef: In a bowl, toss beef cubes with flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to evenly coat the meat. This will help create a flavorful crust and thicken the stew later.
- Sear the beef: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and chopped onions and brown them thoroughly until nicely seared, which locks in flavor.
- Build the broth: Pour in the beef broth and red wine (if using), scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. These bits add deep flavor to the stew.
- Simmer the stew: Stir in potatoes, carrots, celery, tomato paste, and rosemary. Cover the pot and let the stew simmer gently for 1 hour, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- Thicken the stew: Mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Slowly stir this mixture into the stew while it simmers to thicken the broth to a nice consistency.
- Add the peas: Stir in the peas during the last few minutes of cooking to warm them through without losing their color and texture.
- Serve & enjoy: Let the stew cool slightly before serving. This stew pairs excellently with fresh bread or biscuits for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, let the stew rest for a few hours or overnight and reheat before serving.
- You can omit the red wine for a non-alcoholic version; simply add extra beef broth instead.
- Replace potatoes with sweet potatoes for a different taste.
- Use fresh rosemary if available for better aroma.
- Adjust seasoning after simmering, especially salt and pepper.
