Warm up this fall with the best beef stew recipe—homemade and bursting with classic, rich flavors. Perfectly hearty and comforting for those crisp autumn days!

Classic Beef Stew

The best beef stew recipe with step-by-step instructions!

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional, can use extra beef broth instead)
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
• 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the Beef:

   • Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot 
   • Add the beef cubes in batches (don't overcrowd the pot) and brown on all sides. Remove the browned beef and set aside.

2. Sauté Aromatics:

   • In the same pot, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
   • Add the garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

3. Deglaze the Pot:

   • Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.
   • Pour in the red wine (if using) and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes until the wine is slightly reduced.

4. Combine Ingredients:

   • Return the browned beef to the pot.
   • Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.

5. Simmer:

   • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for about 1.5 hours, or until the beef is tender.

6. Add Vegetables:

   • Add the carrots, potatoes, and celery to the pot.
   • Continue to simmer, covered, for another 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

7. Thicken Stew (Optional):

   • If you prefer a thicker stew, mix the flour with a bit of water to make a slurry. Stir this into the stew and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the stew has thickened.

8. Final Touches:

   • Stir in the frozen peas, if using, and cook for another 5 minutes.
   • Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

9. Serve:

   • Remove the bay leaves before serving.
   • Serve hot with crusty bread or over rice for a satisfying meal.

Enjoy your beef stew! It’s perfect for a cozy dinner and often tastes even better the next day.