Ah, Pot Beef Stew—classic, hearty, and perfect for a cozy meal 🥘🥩. Here’s a full, foolproof recipe for tender beef and rich, flavorful broth:
🥩 Pot Beef Stew
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1–1.5 inch cubes
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 2–3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine (optional, can replace with more broth)
- 3 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2–3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or 2 tsp fresh)
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- Optional: 1 cup peas (add last 5 minutes of cooking)
Instructions
- Prep the beef
- Pat beef dry, season with salt & pepper, then toss in flour until lightly coated.
- Brown the beef
- Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Brown beef in batches for 3–4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics
- In the same pot, sauté onion and garlic 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
- Deglaze & simmer
- Add red wine (if using) and scrape up browned bits from the bottom.
- Add beef broth, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
- Return beef to pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer 1.5–2 hours until beef is tender.
- Add vegetables
- Add carrots, potatoes, and celery. Continue to simmer 30–40 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Optional finishing touch
- Stir in peas for last 5 minutes. Adjust salt & pepper to taste.
- Serve
- Ladle into bowls with a thick slice of crusty bread or over rice.
🔥 Tips & Variations
- Extra flavor: sear beef in batches to get a deep, rich crust.
- Thicker stew: mix 2 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water, stir in last 5 minutes.
- Herb variation: add a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme for garnish.
- Slow cooker option: brown beef and sauté aromatics, then combine everything in slow cooker and cook on LOW 6–8 hours.
I can also give a restaurant-style beef stew recipe with ultra-tender meat, silky sauce, and rich, concentrated flavor if you want it extra gourmet.
Do you want me to do that?
