Easy & Hearty Joy Of Cooking Beef Stew Recipe You’ll Love

Hearty beef stew represents the ultimate comfort food that warms souls and satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Cold winter nights call for rich, slow-simmered dishes packed with tender meat and robust flavors.

Rustic cooking techniques transform simple ingredients into remarkable culinary experiences that connect generations.

Magical kitchen alchemy happens when carefully selected meats and vegetables meld together under gentle heat.

Family recipes like this one carry memories of shared meals and traditions passed down through time.

Depth of flavor comes from patient cooking and thoughtful ingredient selection that elevates humble components.

Authentic home cooking means creating dishes that nourish both body and spirit with every delicious spoonful: get ready to fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas.

Beef Stew Bliss: Why It’s a Comfort Favorite

• Slow-Simmer Comfort: This beef stew delivers melt-in-your-mouth tenderness through a patient 3-hour cooking process that transforms tough beef into incredibly soft, flavorful meat.
• Veggie-Packed Nutrition Boost: Loaded with carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, and peas, the stew offers a rainbow of vegetables that provide essential nutrients and create a satisfying, well-rounded meal.
• Layered Flavor Symphony: The combination of wine, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves creates a rich, complex taste profile that develops depth through careful searing and slow simmering techniques.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Reward: Despite its gourmet-tasting result, this recipe requires straightforward cooking methods that even novice home cooks can master, making it a stress-free yet impressive dinner option.

Hearty Essentials for Your Beef Stew

• Beef: A hearty protein that forms the main component of the stew, preferably a tough cut like chuck that becomes tender with slow cooking.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: A classic flavor base that adds depth and sweetness to the stew.
• Garlic: Provides a robust, pungent flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
• Potatoes: Starchy vegetable that adds heartiness and helps thicken the stew.
• Green Peas: Bright green vegetable that adds color and a sweet, fresh element to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Used for searing meat and sautéing vegetables, provides a neutral cooking medium.
• Red Wine: Adds complexity and richness to the stew's flavor profile.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a tangy, umami depth to the dish.
• Tomato Paste: Provides concentration of tomato flavor and helps thicken the stew.
• Thyme, Bay Leaves: Aromatic herbs that infuse the stew with subtle, earthy flavors.
• Water: Provides liquid for braising and creating the stew's base.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance the overall taste.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb used as a garnish to add color and a light, herbaceous note.

Slow-Simmered Success: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare and Sear the Beef

Heat oil in a Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-low heat. Add beef and sear for 10 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides. Transfer seared meat to a separate plate.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetables and Build Flavor

• Lightly grease pot bottom
• Heat over medium-high heat
• Add vegetables
• Onions
• Carrots
• Celery

Sauté vegetables for 7 minutes until softened. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in tomato paste and garlic, cooking 2 minutes until paste darkens and garlic becomes fragrant.

Step 3: Create Stew Base

• Wine
• Water
• Worcestershire sauce

• Thyme
• Bay leaves

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer. Cover and cook 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef becomes tender.

Step 4: Finish the Stew

Add potatoes and cook covered for 15 minutes until potatoes soften. Remove thyme and bay leaves. Stir in peas and cook 2 minutes until heated through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Ladle stew into bowls. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top. Serve hot.

Tips for a Rich, Tender Stew

• Customize Your Vegetables: Mix and match seasonal produce to transform the stew's flavor profile, creating a unique dish every time.
• Control Liquid Consistency: Simmer patiently or sprinkle in flour to achieve your preferred stew thickness without compromising taste.
• Balance Seasoning Carefully: Start with small salt amounts, tasting as you go to prevent over-salting the rich, concentrated broth.
• Master Slow Cooking Technique: Let the beef break down gradually over low heat, developing deep, complex flavors that melt in your mouth.
• Select Premium Beef Cuts: Choose chuck roast for guaranteed tenderness, ensuring each spoonful delivers maximum succulence and robust meaty goodness.

Storing Your Stew: Keep It Cozy

• Vacuum Seal Method: Remove excess air using a vacuum sealer to prevent freezer burn and maintain peak flavor intensity. Carefully transfer cooled stew into specialized vacuum bags, seal completely, and store flat in the freezer for maximum space efficiency.
• Portion Control Method: Divide leftover stew into individual serving sizes using meal prep containers with tight-fitting lids. Label each container with the date and contents, enabling quick identification and preventing food waste while ensuring convenient reheating.
• Glass Storage Method: Transfer cooled stew to glass containers with airtight seals, which preserve flavor better than plastic and prevent odor absorption. Store in the refrigerator's coldest section, typically the back, to maintain optimal temperature and extend freshness for up to 4 days.

Beef Stew Makeovers: Simple Variations

• Rustic Ranch Beef Stew: Replace wine with beer and add smoky bacon bits for a hearty Western-style flavor profile that brings robust earthiness to the classic recipe.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Swap thyme for rosemary and oregano, incorporate roasted red peppers, and finish with crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired version that transports your taste buds.
• Spicy Southwest Beef Stew: Introduce chipotle peppers, cumin, and a touch of smoked paprika to create a bold, warm southwestern kick that adds depth and complexity to the traditional stew.
• Root Vegetable Winter Comfort: Expand the vegetable mix by including parsnips, turnips, and sweet potatoes to create a more nutrient-dense and colorful winter meal that provides extra warmth and nutrition.

Stew’s End: Warm Farewell

Hearty beef stew embodies comfort with its rich, slow-cooked flavors that weave nostalgia and warmth into every spoonful.

Classic American kitchens celebrate this timeless recipe, transforming simple ingredients into a robust culinary experience.

Tender beef, nestled among aromatic vegetables, creates a symphony of textures and tastes that delight the palate.

Winter meals find their perfect companion in this soul-satisfying dish that promises nourishment and memory.

Regional variations showcase personal touches, making each stew a unique family narrative.

Complex layers of wine, herbs, and carefully seared meat invite passionate cooks to explore their creativity – so dive in, savor each bite, and share this masterpiece that connects generations through delicious tradition.

Your kitchen awaits this culinary adventure; spread the love through likes, comments, and shares that celebrate home cooking’s magical moments.

Joy Of Cooking Beef Stew Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Rich, hearty beef stew from Joy of Cooking brings comfort straight from classic American kitchens. Tender beef chunks simmered with root vegetables and robust seasonings promise a deeply satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) beef chuck stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

Vegetables:

• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled, cut into rounds
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 pound (0.45 kilograms) baby potatoes, halved
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) vegetable oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) tomato paste
• 6 cups (1.4 liters) low-sodium beef broth
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) red wine
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• 2 bay leaves
• ¼ cup (15 grams) chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Preheat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, warming 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of olive oil over medium-low temperature. Carefully sear the beef, rotating periodically to ensure uniform browning, which should require approximately 10 minutes. Transfer the browned meat to a separate plate.
2. Without cleaning the pot, increase heat to medium-high and add diced onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté the vegetables for 6-8 minutes until they become translucent and slightly softened. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt and 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) ground black pepper. Incorporate tomato paste and minced garlic, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the paste darkens and the garlic releases its aromatic essence.
3. Return the seared beef to the pot and carefully pour in red wine, fresh thyme sprigs, bay leaves, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover, and let the mixture cook for 35-40 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
4. Introduce cubed potatoes to the stew, cover, and continue simmering for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes become tender. Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves.
5. Fold in frozen peas and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until they are heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
6. Ladle the hearty stew into serving bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.

Notes

• Select chuck roast for its marbling, which melts during slow cooking and creates incredible depth of flavor.
• Patience transforms tough meat into meltingly tender bites that practically dissolve on your tongue.
• Reduce liquid carefully to concentrate the rich, complex taste without making the stew too salty.
• Customize vegetables based on seasonal availability or personal preference for a unique twist.
• Thicken the stew naturally by allowing collagen-rich meat to break down during extended cooking time.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg