The Coziest Beef Stew Recipe: Ina Garten’s Rich Comfort Classic

Hearty and rich beef stew with Ina Garten’s ultimate beef stew recipe stands as a comforting classic that warms the soul on chilly evenings.

Tender chunks of beef melt effortlessly against a backdrop of robust, deeply flavored broth.

Robust root vegetables add depth and texture to this timeless dish.

Each spoonful delivers a symphony of savory notes that dance across your palate.

Slow-cooked to perfection, this stew brings rustic elegance to your dinner table.

The carefully selected ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a meal that feels both sophisticated and deeply satisfying.

You’ll fall in love with every bite of this remarkable culinary creation that promises pure, hearty deliciousness.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat This Hearty Meal

• Maximize Meal Prep: Split the stew into individual portions before refrigerating, making quick reheating a breeze for busy weeknights.
• Refrigerate Smart: Store the beef stew in airtight containers and consume within 3-4 days for optimal flavor and food safety.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Carefully transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers, leaving a small space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months for convenient make-ahead dinners.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw frozen stew in the refrigerator overnight, then gently warm in a covered pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain the stew's rich texture and prevent burning.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 6

Everything in Ina Garten’s Ultimate Beef Stew

• Short Ribs: Choose well-marbled, thick-cut pieces for rich, tender texture that melts in your mouth.
• Pancetta: Adds smoky depth and salty complexity to the stew's overall flavor profile.
• Beef Broth: Creates a robust liquid base that intensifies the meaty essence of the dish.

• Onions, Fennel: Provide sweet, caramelized undertones that create a complex flavor foundation.
• Garlic: Delivers a punchy, aromatic kick that elevates the entire stew's taste.
• Carrots, Potatoes: Hearty root vegetables that contribute earthy sweetness and satisfying texture.
• Frozen Peas: Inject a burst of bright color and fresh, sweet notes at the end of cooking.

• Cognac: Introduces a sophisticated, slightly woody warmth to the stew.
• Red Wine: Deepens the flavor profile with rich, complex undertones.
• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Adds tangy acidity and rich, concentrated tomato essence.
• Olive Oil: Helps develop foundational flavors and prevents ingredients from sticking.

Tools to Cook Stew with Rich Depth Like Ina Does

• Dutch oven: Large, heavy-bottomed pot perfect for braising and oven cooking.
• Slotted spoon: Essential for transferring meats and vegetables without excess liquid.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring and scraping browned bits from pot bottom.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for dicing onions, fennel, and trimming short ribs.
• Measuring cups: Important for precise wine and broth measurements.
• Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurate salt and pepper quantities.
• Large bowl: Used for holding browned short ribs during cooking process.
• Paper towels: Helpful for draining pancetta and removing excess fat.

Cooking the Ultimate Stew Using Ina’s Method

Hearty Beef Comfort Stew

• Pancetta Magic Initial Flavor Boost

Sizzle pancetta in a large Dutch oven until golden and crispy, creating a delicious base for the stew. Transfer pancetta to a side plate, keeping those amazing drippings in the pot.

• Meat Preparation

Season beef short ribs generously with salt and pepper. Brown the meat in batches, developing deep caramel colors and rich flavor profiles. Each piece should have a beautiful crusty exterior.

• Vegetable Foundation

Sauté onions and fennel until they become soft and translucent. Add garlic for an aromatic punch that will make your kitchen smell incredible.

• Liquid Harmony

Pour in red wine and beef broth, scraping up all those incredible browned bits from the bottom of the pot. These tiny flavor nuggets are culinary gold.

• Slow Transformation

Cover the pot and slide into a warm oven. Let the stew slowly simmer and transform, allowing meats to become meltingly tender and flavors to dance together.

• Vegetable Addition

Introduce carrots and potatoes midway through cooking. These hearty vegetables will absorb all the rich, complex flavors surrounding them.

• Final Touch

Sprinkle in sweet green peas and crispy pancetta just before serving. Each bowl becomes a celebration of comfort and deliciousness.

Ideas to Modify Meat, Veg, or Wine Flavor Notes

• Beef Stew Secrets
• Swap short ribs with chuck roast or beef brisket for budget-friendly alternatives that still deliver incredible tenderness and rich flavor.
• Experiment with different red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to create unique depth and complexity in your stew's base.
• Enhance nutrition by adding winter squash, parsnips, or turnips alongside carrots and potatoes for extra texture and hearty goodness.
• Elevate aromatics by incorporating fresh rosemary, thyme, or bay leaves during braising to infuse the stew with Mediterranean-inspired undertones.
• Boost warmth by stirring in smoked paprika, a pinch of cayenne, or red pepper flakes for a subtle kick that complements the rich beef perfectly.

How Ina Would Serve This Cozy Winter Stew

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Slice up a warm, rustic baguette or sourdough to soak up the rich, flavorful broth. The bread will catch every delicious drop and add a delightful textural contrast.
• Complement with Red Wine: Pour a glass of full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. The wine's robust flavors will enhance the deep, meaty notes of the stew.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives on top for a burst of freshness. These green accents will brighten the dish and add a pop of color to the hearty stew.
• Create a Cozy Side Salad: Toss a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the stew's richness. A crisp, tangy salad will cut through the meat's intensity and provide a refreshing counterpoint.

Hearty Beef Stew Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s ultimate beef stew recipe delivers rich, hearty comfort with tender meat and deeply developed flavors. Savory ingredients combine to create a classic dish that welcomes home cooks seeking warmth and satisfaction.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 pounds / 1.36kg boneless short ribs, cut in 1½-inch chunks (4½ pounds / 2.04kg on the bone)
• 4 oz / 115g small-diced pancetta
• 2 cups / 300g chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
• 2 cups / 300g chopped fennel, trimmed and cored (1 large bulb)
• 1 pound / 450g carrots, scrubbed and cut ½-inch thick diagonally
• 1 pound / 450g Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed, 1-inch diced
• 10 oz / 280g frozen peas
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 411g) diced tomatoes, including the juices
• 3 tbsps / 45ml good olive oil
• 1 cup / 240ml hearty red wine (e.g., Côtes du Rhône or Chianti), divided
• 2 cups / 480ml beef broth
• 2 tbsps / 30g tomato paste
• 2 tbsps / 6 cloves minced garlic
• 2 tsps kosher salt / 10g
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper / 5g
• ¼ cup / 60ml Cognac or brandy

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 150°C / 300°F, setting the stage for a slow, transformative cooking process.
2. Pancetta Rendering: In a Dutch oven, crisp pancetta in oil until golden and transfer to a paper towel, preserving its crunch for later garnish.
3. Meat Searing: Generously season short ribs with salt and pepper, then methodically sear in batches to develop a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in deep flavor profiles.
4. Deglazing and Flavor Building: Pour Cognac and red wine into the pot, scraping up the intensely flavored browned bits. Allow the liquid to simmer and concentrate, creating a complex flavor foundation.
5. Vegetable Infusion: Sauté onions and fennel until translucent, adding minced garlic for a final aromatic minute. Incorporate diced tomatoes, tomato paste, remaining wine, and beef broth, nestling the browned short ribs back into the liquid.
6. Slow Braising: Cover the Dutch oven and transfer to the preheated oven. Braise for 1¼ hours, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
7. Vegetable Integration: Add carrots and potatoes, returning the pot to the oven for an additional hour until vegetables become meltingly tender and fully infused with the rich cooking liquid.
8. Final Touches: Gently fold in frozen peas and reserved crispy pancetta. Adjust seasoning to create a perfectly balanced, deeply satisfying stew that celebrates every ingredient’s potential.

Notes

• Meat Selection Matters: Choose well-marbled short ribs for maximum tenderness and deep, rich flavor that melts in your mouth.
• Searing Secrets: Brown meat in batches to prevent overcrowding, ensuring each piece develops a beautifully caramelized crust that locks in delicious juices.
• Deglazing Depth: Scrape every browned bit from the pot when adding Cognac and wine – these crusty remnants are flavor powerhouses that elevate the entire stew.
• Patience Pays Off: Low and slow cooking transforms tough meat into incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites while allowing flavors to develop and intensify.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Braising
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 7g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 100mg