I bet that many of you are just like me. Whenever it starts to get cold out, I start craving something hearty to eat. It is at this specific moment that my stomach growls for some serious comfort food. And what can be more hearty and comforting than this Easy Beef Stew Recipe?
This recipe is all about well-marbled beef chunks seared on the stovetop. The meltingly tender chunks are enveloped in a sauce that hides some veggies and spices within. All of these ingredients mingle to yield a rich stew that feeds a crowd of picky eaters.
A Tomato Fusion Feast
Ingredients
For the Preparation of the Beef
Beef stew chunks: Get high-quality beef chunks, typically sourced from tougher cuts like chuck, which are ideal for slow cooking.
Cornstarch: This thickening agent gives the stew a rich and hearty consistency in the broth.
Unsalted butter: It enhances the overall flavor of the stew and adds a creamy texture to the dish.
Oil: It is necessary for sautéing the beef and other ingredients.
Black pepper: It adds a mild heat and enhances the overall flavor.
Salt: Adjust salt according to personal preference.
Paprika: Paprika provides the stew with a vibrant color.
Other spices and seasonings: You also need chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme to blend seamlessly giving a herbal aroma to the stew.
For the Stew
Oil: You can use any cooking oil such as vegetable or canola oil.
Onion: A medium-sized onion, typically yellow, adds a sweet and savory base to the stew.
Cornstarch: It contributes to a dense broth and texture.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic cloves add depth to the stew. They also complement other herbs and spices.
Dry bay leaves: Dried bay leaves are used during cooking and are removed before serving.
Dried thyme: Dried thyme gives a hint of minty freshness.
Tomato paste: Concentrated tomato flavor in paste form contributes two benefits. It makes the stew richer in taste and brighter in color.
Water: Water is mixed with cornstarch to ensure a smooth integration of the thickening agent.
Beef or vegetable broth: Broth serves as the liquid base of the stew, thus providing a savory foundation.
Baby potatoes: Small potatoes, cut in half or quartered, absorb the flavors of the broth and other ingredients.
Carrots: These large carrots, peeled and cut into half-inch thick pieces, become tender during cooking, for a better texture and flavor.
Spices: You can adjust the amounts of chili powder, garlic powder, and paprika according to personal taste.
Scroll down for the entire recipe ingredients and instructions.
Flavorful Savory Elegance
Serving the Toothsome Beef Stew
To help keep you up with the rhythm of flavors in this tasty beef stew recipe, I gathered some side dish ideas that can act as the ideal companions of this comforting dish.
While mashed potatoes are enjoyed as a meal by themselves, they still work well as a side for this recipe. The velvety texture of the potatoes complements the hearty flavors of the stew, creating a comforting and satisfying combination.
Fluffy rice pilaf serves as an excellent bed for your beef stew. The grains absorb the flavors of the stew, adding a delightful texture to each bite. Therefore, you can choose from this Easy Vegetable Rice Pilaf, Persian Jeweled Rice, Saffron Rice, or Middle Eastern Vermicelli Rice (Ruz Bil Shi’iriya).
Want more suggestions? How about some veggies? In fact, roasted vegetables add a burst of color and flavor to your meal. From Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots to Roasted Eggplant Salad, such choices are the real deal.
Beef Stew Elevation
Pro Tips for a No-Fail Beef Stew Recipe
Opt for some good-quality beef, preferably chuck or stew meat. Trim excess fat and cut it into uniform chunks for even cooking.
The saying that “patience pays off” is very applicable to this recipe. By allowing the stew to simmer slowly, you help tenderize the meat and let flavors meld for a truly scrumptious product.
If you like the stew to be thicker, you can mix a small amount of flour or cornstarch with water and stir it in during the last hour of cooking.
If you want to add a fresh touch to the stew, chop some parsley or squeeze a lemon before serving it.
For unique twists, you can use coconut milk for creaminess or balsamic vinegar for a hint of acidity without resorting to alcohol.
Cozy Beef Delights
FAQs about the Hearty Beef Stew Recipe
Absolutely! Load your stew with vegetables, lentils, and a flavorful vegetable broth for a satisfying meatless option.
Beef stew freezes well. You can make a large batch and freeze individual portions for quick future meals for up to three months.
Yes, you can. Just adjust the cooking time according to the instructions of your slow cooker.
Absolutely! Beef stew often tastes better the next day. Allow it to cool, refrigerate, and reheat it for a flavorful meal.
A Soul-Warming Stew
Other Comforting Recipes:
- Harissa Garlic Chicken
- Healthy Kousa Mahshi (Healthy Stuffed Zucchini)
- Turmeric Spiced Butternut Squash Soup With Zaatar Croutons
- Aloo Matar
- Moroccan Harira Soup Recipe
- Quick Potato Corn Soup
- Chicken and Spinach Stew
- Instant Pot Beef Curry
- Middle Eastern Kufta Bil Tahiniye
- Molokhia Soup
Classic Comfort in a Bowl
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Easy Beef Stew Recipe
Ingredients
Beef Prep
- 1 pound beef stew chunks
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Stew
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 yellow onion medium
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 dry bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 4 cups beef or vegetable broth
- 1 pound baby potatoes cut in half or quartered
- 4 large carrots peeled and cut into ½-inch thick pieces
Instructions
- Add the cornstarch to the beef and coat well.
- Melt the butter in a pot, and add the tablespoon of oil.
- Add the beef and the seasonings in the Beef Prep.
- Let it brown, get it a nice sear, and remove.
- Add the remaining oil, garlic, and onion.
- Sauté until translucent.
- Add the carrots, potatoes, and seared beef.
- Add the tomato paste and bay leaves, and then add the seasonings.
- Mix well and add the broth.
- Let it come to a boil for 5 minutes on high heat before lowering the heat to low.
- Leave it to cook for about an hour or an hour and a half or until all is tender.
- Once cooked, mix the cornstarch with the 2 tablespoons of cold water until cornstarch is totally dissolved.
- Add the cornstarch mixture to the stew and mix until thickened.
- Serve the stew with mashed potatoes or any other side of your preference.
Notes
- Opt for some good-quality beef, preferably chuck or stew meat. Trim excess fat and cut it into uniform chunks for even cooking.
- The saying that “patience pays off” is very applicable in this recipe. By allowing the stew to simmer slowly, you help tenderize the meat and let flavors meld for a truly scrumptious product.
- If you like the stew to be thicker, you can mix a small amount of flour or cornstarch with water and stir it in during the last hour of cooking.
- Before serving the warm stew, you can even have more freshness by stirring in chopped fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice.
- For unique twists, you can use coconut milk for creaminess or balsamic vinegar for a hint of acidity without resorting to alcohol.
