A hearty and tender beef stew with vegetables in a rich broth, perfect for a comforting meal.
Author:Claire
Prep Time:25 min
Cook Time:2.5 hours
Total Time:3 hours 15 min
Yield:6-8 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups beef broth
1 cup dry red wine (optional)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 bay leaf
1.5 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for thickening, optional)
1/4 cup cold water (for thickening, optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides. Remove beef and set aside.
Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
If using wine, pour it into the pot and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Return the beef to the pot. Add the beef broth, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
Add the potatoes and carrots to the pot. Cover and continue to cook for another 30-45 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
If you prefer a thicker stew, whisk together the flour and cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the simmering stew and cook for a few minutes until thickened.
Serve hot.
Notes
For extra tender beef, you can sear the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot.
If you don’t want to use wine, simply omit it and add an extra cup of beef broth.
To freeze, let the stew cool completely. Portion into airtight containers or freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.