Homemade Beef Stew

This recipe for Classic Homemade Beef Stew is incredibly easy to make and absolutely delicious. It’s a one-pot meal that’s packed with tender beef, potatoes, and carrots, all cooked in a rich and savory sauce. This beef stew recipe is the ultimate comfort food, bursting with flavor and sure to satisfy.

Beef stew is the epitome of comfort food, and this classic homemade recipe delivers on every level. With tender chunks of beef, hearty potatoes, and flavorful carrots simmered in a rich, savory sauce, it's a satisfying one-pot meal that's perfect for any occasion. Whether you're cooking it in the oven, on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or in an instant pot, this versatile dish is sure to impress.

Vadim Rachok

Chef

This is an easy, healthy recipe for beef stew that you can cook at home with minimal effort. We’ll guide you through the steps to make it, so you can enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth beef chunks with soft potatoes and carrots. It’s the most delicious beef stew recipe you’ll ever try!

What is a Homemade Beef Stew?

Homemade beef stew has a rich and hearty flavor profile and is a classic comfort food. The dish originated in various regions of the world. It typically consists of tender chunks of beef slowly simmered with an assortment of vegetables and savory spices. Taste depends on the ingredients used, but often has a deeply satisfying umami taste with herbal and spicy notes. Its origins can be traced back to humble beginnings, where it served as a nutritious and economical meal for families, especially during the colder months of the year. 

Over time, appreciated for its warm and comforting essence, it has become a beloved staple in countless households. Homemade beef stew remains a timeless favorite that brings people together around the dinner table. It can be enjoyed on its own or paired with crusty bread or fluffy mashed potatoes.

Homemade Beef Stew Ingredients

• Beef (breast): The main source of protein in the stew, usually cut into chunks that add rich flavor and texture.
• Flour: Used to coat the beef before browning and helps thicken the stew as it cooks.
• Potatoes: Add bulk to the stew and provide a hearty, comforting element.
• Carrots: Provides sweetness and a pop of color to complement the savory flavors.
• Onion: Adds aromatic depth and flavor to the stew base.
• Thyme and Rosemary: Herbs that add earthy and floral notes that enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Cinnamon: Adds a warm and slightly sweet undertone that balances the savory flavors.
• Cumin: Provides a warm, nutty flavor that adds depth and complexity.
• Paprika: Provides color and a subtle smoky aroma to the stew.
• Fresh Garlic: Enhances the savory flavor base with its pungent aroma and flavor.
• Dill and Parsley: Fresh herbs that help brighten and refresh the stew.
• Tomato Paste: Adds richness, umami depth, and a hint of sweetness to the stew.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds savory depth and a hint of heat.
• Chili Pepper: Adds heat and adds complexity.
• Beef Stock: Provides a flavorful liquid base for the stew, intensifying the beefy flavor.
• Red Wine: Adds depth, richness, and complexity to the stew sauce.
• Bay Leaf: Adds subtle herbal notes and depth of flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance flavors.

How To Make Homemade Beef Stew

1. Cut the onion into cubes, the carrots and potatoes into triangles, and the chili into slices.
2. Chop the herbs. 
3. Remove the veins and films from the meat and dice it.
4. Salt and pepper the meat, sprinkle with flour, and mix.
5. Heat a saucepan, add vegetable oil, and sauté over medium heat for three minutes on each side until golden brown. 
6. Add the onion and cook over medium heat for another 4 minutes. Add garlic, and tomato paste, stir, and add rosemary, cumin, paprika, bay leaf, and chili. Cook for another 2 minutes.
7. Add the Worcestershire sauce, broth, and red wine. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a low simmer and cover. Simmer for 2.5 to 3 hours (the meat should be completely falling apart along the fibers).
8. Then add the potatoes and carrots and cook for another 20 minutes with the lid ajar.
9. Test the vegetables for doneness. There should be a little moisture in the stew.
10. Remove the bay leaf and rosemary from the sauce.
11. Add the chopped herbs. Cover and serve in 10 minutes.

Chef Recipe Tips:

• You can also add celery root, Jerusalem artichokes, parsnips, and sweet potatoes to the stew for a more interesting and richer flavor. 
• Other parts of the beef can be used instead of the shoulder, but the cooking time will vary. For example, for a tenderloin it will be 40 minutes, and for a shank – 3.5-4 hours.

Beef Stew FAQs

HOW TO THICKEN BEEF STEW?

One of the simplest ways to thicken beef stew is by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with water, adding it to the stew, stirring, and cooking for a few more minutes until it thickens. If you prefer not to use cornstarch, you can use whole wheat flour as an alternative.

You can thicken the stew by blending some of the carrots and potatoes with water and returning it to the pot.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH BEEF STEW?

Here are some great side dish options to try with beef stew:

• Crusty Bread: A slice of crusty bread or a dinner roll is a great way to soak up the flavorful broth from the stew.
• Mashed potatoes: The rich and savory flavors of beef stew are complemented by creamy mashed potatoes.
• Rice: Fluffy white or brown rice makes an easy, satisfying base for stew.
• Egg Noodles: Tender egg noodles are a comforting and hearty addition to the stew.
• Steamed vegetables: For added nutrition and freshness, serve a side of steamed vegetables such as green beans, carrots, or broccoli.
• Salad: Balance the richness of the stew with a crisp and refreshing salad of mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a tangy vinaigrette.
• Cornbread: A classic accompaniment that complements the flavors of beef stew, cornbread is sweet and savory.
• Roasted vegetables: Add a rustic touch and depth of flavor with roasted root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and parsnips.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COOK BEEF STEW?

The approximate cooking time is 3 hours and 45 minutes. It also depends on the type of meat you are using. For example, if you are using beef breast, you should braise the meat for 2.5 to 3 hours. If you decide to replace the breast with a shank, the time will increase to 4 hours.

HOW LONG TO COOK BEEF STEW IN AN INSTANT POT

Once the vegetables are sauteed and the beef is browned, close the instant pot lid. Cook on HIGH for 30-35 minutes until the stew is tender.

HOW TO COOK BEEF STEW

There are several ways to prepare beef stew, depending on your preferred method. You can cook it on your stovetop, in the oven, in a crockpot or slow cooker, or in an instant pot. We have discussed all these methods above to help you cook your beef stew with ease.

WHAT CUT OF BEEF IS A STEW MEAT

The most commonly used cut of meat for stew is chuck. However, you can also use various types of roasts such as bottom round, round tip, top round, and pot roast. Some other cuts to consider would be oxtail, bohemian, and cross-cut shank.