Here’s a rich, hearty classic beef stew recipe — tender meat, thick gravy, and deep flavor.
🥘 Classic Beef Stew
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
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2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1½-inch cubes
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1 onion, chopped
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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3 carrots, sliced
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3 potatoes, cubed
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2 celery stalks, sliced
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2 tbsp tomato paste
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2 tbsp flour
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4 cups beef broth
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1 tsp dried thyme
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1 tsp dried rosemary
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1 bay leaf
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Salt & black pepper to taste
Optional: 1 cup peas (add at end)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Brown the Beef
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Pat beef dry and season with salt & pepper.
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Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven.
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Brown beef in batches (don’t overcrowd).
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Remove and set aside.
2️⃣ Build Flavor
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In the same pot, sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery (5 minutes).
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Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute.
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Sprinkle flour over veggies and stir well.
3️⃣ Simmer
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Return beef to pot.
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Add broth, herbs, and bay leaf.
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Bring to a boil, then reduce to low.
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Cover and simmer 1½–2 hours, stirring occasionally.
4️⃣ Add Potatoes
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Add potatoes after about 1 hour of cooking.
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Continue simmering until beef is fork-tender.
5️⃣ Finish
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Remove bay leaf.
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Add peas (if using) and cook 5 more minutes.
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Adjust salt & pepper.
🔥 Flavor Boost Tips
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Add ½ cup red wine when adding broth.
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A splash of Worcestershire sauce deepens flavor.
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For thicker stew, simmer uncovered last 15 minutes.
🕒 Slow Cooker Option
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Brown beef first.
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Add everything to slow cooker.
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Cook 8 hours low or 4–5 hours high.
❄️ Storage
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Tastes even better the next day.
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Freeze up to 3 months.
If you’d like, I can give you:
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A quick 30-minute version
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A Southern-style version
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Or a healthier low-carb version