Beef Stew Recipe (VIDEO)

Nothing compares to the cozy comfort of classic Beef Stew. Tender morsels of beef practically melt in your mouth, and the combination of vegetables and beef infuse the dish with incredible flavor as they simmer together in a rich broth.

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Beef is naturally juicy and adds so much flavor to dishes like our Chili Recipe, and of course Meatloaf. If you let it cook low and slow, it becomes wonderfully tender and so satisfying. All you need with this are soft Dinner Rolls our a slice of Sourdough Bread to soak up the rich beef stew broth and it’s a one-pot meal.

The Best Beef Stew Recipe

When the stew is slow-cooked, the beef becomes meltingly tender and full of flavor. We also love to add mushrooms and bacon which add a rich depth of flavor to make this the best beef stew we’ve ever tried.

Beef stew is a very hearty soup with a blend of beef and humble vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onion in a richly flavored wine and tomato broth. This hearty beef stew is every bit as good as its cousin, the famous beef bourguignon, and Lamb Stew. We love beef stew so much that we even have a Slow Cooker Beef Stew.

Beef Stew Video

You can do this! Homemade beef stew takes some time to make because it needs to slow roast in the oven but it is simple to prepare. One bite and you’ll realize why this beef stew is one of our most popular recipes.

Ingredients for Beef Stew

These are the ingredients often used in beef stew. They aren’t overly complicated, but the flavors work together so well.

• Beef – you can use beef stew meat or cut up your own beef chuck roast or other well-marbled steaks.
• Bacon – center cut is always my favorite cut of bacon. It adds a wonderful richness and a salty bite to the stew.
• All-purpose flour – used to dredge the beef and to thicken if desired
• Red wine – use a drinkable red wine and avoid anything labeled “cooking wine” (see below for our list of recommended wines for cooking)
• Mushrooms – use brown or white mushrooms, thickly sliced
• Carrots, Onions, and Garlic – the aromatics which release a fragrant aroma and add flavor when cooked. Lately I’ve also been adding celery, which adds a bit of sweetness.
• Tomato Paste – adds acidity to balance the broth
• Beef Broth – you can use beef bone broth, beef stock, or even substitute with chicken stock
• Bay leaves and thyme – these simple seasonings round out the flavors of the soup
• Potatoes – new potatoes or fingerling potatoes make the soup look extra fancy but you can dice up and add waxy potatoes such as yukon gold or red potatoes.

What is Stew Meat?

Beef stew meat is a great choice for your next meal – it’s made up of tender pieces of beef, ranging from filet mignon and prime rib to trimmings from steaks that may have been too large for their packages. I’ve even spotted pieces of filet mignon and prime rib in my packs! Not only is it reasonably priced, but it’s also incredibly versatile.

We love stew meat recipes such as Instant Pot Rice and Beef and Rice Soup. If you aren’t able to find stew meat, another good option is boneless beef chuck which you can buy and cut into bite-size pieces yourself.

The Best Red Wine for Cooking

The wine adds so much flavor to this classic beef stew. For most cooking, dry red wine is best. Avoid anything labeled “cooking wine” since it usually has additives that will affect the flavor of your stew. A good rule of thumb is that you should not cook with it if you can’t drink it. Some good red wine options include:

• Pinot Noir
• Merlot
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Soft Red by Ste Chapelle (our favorite local brand)

How to Make Beef Stew

Here is a quick visual reference of how to make beef stew, but be sure to watch the full video tutorial above, and you’ll see just how easy it is to make Beef Stew.

• Brown the bacon in a large, dutch oven or oven-safe pot, then transfer the bacon to a plate, leaving the bacon grease in the pot
• Season beef in a separate bowl with salt and pepper then toss with flour. Sautee beef over medium-high heat in 2 batches, adding more oil as needed. Cook in batches to get a good sear.
• Add red wine and scrape to deglaze the pot. Add mushrooms and cook over medium heat 10 minutes.

4. Sautee Vegetables – In a large skillet over medium/high heat, add oil, carrots, onions, celery if using, and garlic, then sautee until softened. Stir in tomato paste and transfer the veggies to the pot.
5. Combine and bake – Return Beef and bacon to the pot. Add beef broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and potatoes. Stir to combine and make sure the potatoes are submerged. COVER and bake at 325˚F for 1 hour and 45 min.

How to Thicken Beef Stew?

Tossing the beef in flour and the natural starch from the potatoes will make the sauce slightly thicker than a typical soup base, but it’s also not as thick as gravy.

If you prefer a thicker stew, melt 2 Tbsp butter and stir in 2 Tbsp flour to make a paste. Once the stew is out of the oven, place it on the stove, add the paste a little at a time (to reach desired consistency), bring it back to a boil for a few minutes to thicken and cook the flour.

Can I Cook Beef Stew on the Stovetop?

You can finish your stew on the stovetop instead of the oven. Be sure to use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven and keep it at a low simmer and stir occasionally to make sure you don’t scorch the bottom. It should take about 1 1/2 hours on the stovetop or until your beef reaches the desired tenderness.

Serve Beef Stew with

Since stew is a meal in itself, loaded with beef and vegetables in a rich broth, we love to serve it with simple sides:

• Biscuits – fluffy biscuits are great for soaking up the tasty broth
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes – the stew is almost a light gravy with potatoes.
• White Rice – a tasty neutral base that makes it a filling meal
• Egg Noodles – buttery noodles and especially homemade pasta is delicious with the broth.
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes – so comforting in the cooler months
• Beet Arugula Salad – we love a fresh green salad with stew
• Caesar Salad – with the best homemade dressing

Now go forth and conquer this classic homemade beef stew! There’s nothing quite like curling up with a bowl of steamy, hearty stew in the colder months.

More Beef Recipes for Dinner

Beef is naturally one of the most flavorful meats, and there are so many ways to prepare it, from ground beef perfect for Taco Salad to Beef Tenderloin. You’ll love these easy, family-friendly beef dinner ideas:

• Beef Stroganoff – in mushroom cream sauce
• Lasagna – classic with a beefy sauce
• Baked Ziti – cheesy pasta bake
• Salisbury Steak – with a gravy sauce
• Roast Beef – so tender with the best gravy
• Pot Roast – fall apart tender
• Mississippi Pot Roast – slow cooker favorite