Easy Homemade Beef Stew Recipe

Introduction

This easy homemade beef stew is a comforting dish perfect for chilly days. Tender chunks of beef slowly simmer with hearty vegetables in a rich, flavorful broth. It’s a classic meal that’s simple to prepare and sure to satisfy.

A close-up view of a stew in a black pot filled with large chunks of brown cooked beef, bright yellow whole baby potatoes, thick orange carrots, and small golden onions, all covered in a rich dark brown sauce. The vegetables and meat pieces are layered evenly, creating a hearty, rustic look with glossy textures and slight steam rising from the pot. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large carrot, cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 2 Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325° F. Season the beef chunks thoroughly on all sides with kosher salt and black pepper. Sprinkle the gluten-free flour over the meat and toss well to coat every piece evenly.
  2. Step 2: Heat the olive oil in an 8-quart Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the beef in batches, making sure not to crowd the pot, cooking 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the browned beef and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same Dutch oven, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and carrot. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables soften and start to brown slightly.
  4. Step 4: Add the diced potatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, bay leaf, fresh thyme, and Worcestershire sauce to the pot. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot to release the flavorful browned bits.
  5. Step 5: Return the browned beef to the pot. Cover the Dutch oven and transfer it to the oven. Cook for 2 to 2.5 hours until the beef is fork-tender.

Tips & Variations

  • For a thicker stew, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes to allow some liquid to reduce.
  • Swap Yukon Gold potatoes for sweet potatoes for a subtle sweetness.
  • Add a splash of red wine before baking for deeper flavor.
  • Use dried thyme if fresh is not available; reduce quantity to 1 teaspoon.

Storage

Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over low heat or microwave until heated through. This stew also freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

A round white pot is filled with a hearty beef stew that has about three layers. The bottom layer is a rich, dark brown broth. The middle layer consists of large chunks of brown beef, whole yellow baby potatoes, and whole orange baby carrots, which are scattered evenly throughout. On top, there are small whole yellow onions and pieces of browned mushrooms, all coated in the glossy, thick sauce. The pot sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes, beef chuck is preferred for its tenderness and flavor after slow cooking, but brisket or round can work as well, though cooking time may vary.

Is it necessary to brown the beef before cooking?

Browning the beef adds rich flavor through caramelization and improves the stew’s depth. It’s worth the extra step if you have the time.

Print

Easy Homemade Beef Stew Recipe

This Easy Homemade Beef Stew is a hearty and comforting dish made with tender beef chuck, fresh vegetables, and rich beef broth, slowly cooked to perfection in the oven. It’s an ideal meal for cozy dinners and perfect for batch cooking.

  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Stew
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Seasoning

  • 2 pounds Beef Chuck Roast, cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Coarsely Ground Black Pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Gluten-free All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • ½ Yellow Onion, chopped
  • 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 1 Large Carrot, cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 2 Yukon Gold Potatoes, diced into 2-inch pieces

Liquids and Flavorings

  • 2 Cups Beef Broth
  • ¼ Cup Tomato Paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 2 teaspoons Fresh Thyme Leaves

Instructions

  1. Prep the Beef: Preheat your oven to 325° F. Season the beef chunks thoroughly on all sides with kosher salt and black pepper. Sprinkle the gluten-free all-purpose flour over the meat and toss well to coat every piece evenly. This will help with browning and thickening the stew later.
  2. Brown the Meat: Heat the olive oil in an 8-quart Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the beef chunks in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot, cooking each side for 3-4 minutes until nicely seared. Remove all browned beef and set it aside to keep warm.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: In the same Dutch oven, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and carrot chunks. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables soften and begin to brown slightly, which develops depth of flavor.
  4. Combine Ingredients: Add the diced Yukon Gold potatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and fresh thyme leaves to the pot. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot, loosening all the browned bits left from searing the beef and cooking the vegetables. These bits add great flavor to the stew.
  5. Simmer and Cook: Return the browned beef chunks to the Dutch oven with all the ingredients. Cover the pot with its lid and transfer it to the preheated oven. Cook the stew for 2 to 2.5 hours until the beef is fork-tender and the flavors have melded beautifully. Check seasoning and remove the bay leaf before serving.

Notes

  • For extra richness, you can add a splash of red wine along with the beef broth.
  • Adjust the cooking time based on the size of beef chunks; larger pieces may require more time.
  • Feel free to add other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for variety.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day once the flavors have fully melded.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven for even heat distribution and best results.

Keywords: beef stew, homemade beef stew, gluten free stew, easy beef stew, oven-baked beef stew, comfort food, one pot meal

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating