Why This Beef Stew is the Best

There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of soup or stew on a cold day! This beef stew recipe is my go-to choice when I crave a satisfying and flavorful meal. I often make a double batch, enjoying leftovers for lunch – sometimes with a side of air fryer grilled cheese!

I find myself making this recipe often during the colder months. It’s a family favorite, and everyone comes running when they know it’s on the menu. The perfectly seasoned broth and tender beef make this stew truly exceptional.

This recipe is incredibly hearty and flavorful. The rich broth is so good you’ll want to savor every drop! I enjoy serving this stew with homemade buttermilk biscuits or copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits. What do you like to serve with your beef stew?

Beef Stew Ingredients & Substitutions

Here’s what you’ll need to make this fantastic beef stew recipe:

Ingredients:

• Olive oil: Or any other neutral-flavored oil.
• Beef stew meat: You can buy pre-cut stew meat or cut a roast yourself.
• Onion: Yellow onions are preferred, but white onions also work. Avoid red onions.
• Carrots and celery: Classic vegetables for beef stew.
• All-purpose flour: Used for thickening the stew. You can omit it, but the broth will be thinner.
• Beef Stew Seasoning mix: Find this at your local grocery store, usually near the gravy mixes. Or, use your own homemade mix!
• Worcestershire sauce: Adds umami flavor to the broth. Soy sauce can be substituted.
• Paprika, salt, and pepper: Essential seasonings for flavor.
• Garlic: Adds flavor. Feel free to add more if you love garlic!
• Bay leaves: Infuse the broth with flavor.
• Potatoes: Russet potatoes are recommended, but other non-waxy potatoes are fine.
• Beef broth: Low-sodium is often preferred.

Recipe Tips

• Slow Cooker Option: This beef stew can also be made in a crockpot or slow cooker!
• Spice It Up: Customize the flavors! Add brown sugar or honey for sweetness. A splash of vinegar or lemon juice can brighten the flavors. For a spicier stew, add some chili powder.

Beef Stew FAQs

More Recipes You Might Enjoy

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• Stuffed Pepper Soup
• Brunswick Stew
• Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles
• Slow Cooker Sauerbraten Beef in Gingersnap Gravy

Best Ever Beef Stew Recipe

By Jamie Sherman

This Best Ever Beef Stew is a perfectly seasoned, comforting, hearty dish full of tender beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, and savory broth! Your family will come running for dinner!

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 2 hrs

Total time: 2 hrs 20 mins

Servings: 10 servings

Rating: 4.41 from 20 votes

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 packet Beef Stew Seasoning mix, 1.5 oz.
• 1 ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 6 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized cubes
• 8 cups beef broth

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Instructions:

Stove-top version:

1. In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook and stir the stew meat for 4 minutes. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Stir and continue to cook until the meat is no longer pink. Stir in the flour, stirring well to combine.
2. Add the Beef Stew seasoning mix, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic and bay leaves. Mix well. Add the potatoes and beef broth. Stir well.
3. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat and cover with a vented or tilted lid. Allow the stew to simmer for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Slow cooker version:

1. Place stew meat in 6-qt slow cooker. In a small bowl combine the flour, beef stew seasoning, salt, and pepper; pour over meat, and stir to coat meat with flour mixture. Add the Worcestershire sauce, paprika, garlic, bay leaf, onion, potatoes, carrots, celery, and beef broth. Stir to combine.
2. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 10 to 12 hours, or on High setting for 4 to 6 hours.

Notes:

• You can also make this Beef Stew in a crock pot or slow cooker!
• Play with the spices for a different flavor profile. Prefer a sweeter stew? Add a touch of brown sugar or honey. Make the flavors pop by adding a little bit of vinegar or lemon juice. Want more spice or depth of flavor? Try adding some chili powder.

Nutrition:

Calories: 311kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 26g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 56mg, Sodium: 1245mg, Potassium: 1110mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 4215IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 69mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.