This recipe is straightforward making it perfect for busy nights when you need a no-fuss dinner option that’s both satisfying and delicious. Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or someone who cooks regularly, you’ll find this stew easy to make and absolutely delicious. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table with some crusty bread in hand for a rustic, old-fashioned classic dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic comfort food, with maximum flavor.
- Pearl onions are used for the best texture.
- Cooked in one pot for easy cleanup.
- Freezer friendly!
Our Beef Stew has all of the old-fashioned elements you’d want along with all of the flavor. This is pure comfort in a bowl with tender beef, hearty vegetables, and all the right herbs and spices.
This stew boasts a deep, savory flavor balanced with subtle hints of sweetness and spice, courtesy of a blend of herbs and our not-so-secret ingredient: Worcestershire sauce. The beef becomes fork-tender, melting in your mouth with every bite.
Ingredient Notes
Beef: We recommend a simple stew meat which is cubed chuck roast. Most grocery stores offer stew meat, already cut, near the butcher department. You can cube your own chuck roast, or use a similar cut like bottom round, top round, and brisket.
Potatoes: Red potatoes and Yukon Gold potatoes hold up better in a stew than russet potatoes, and they don’t even need peeling! Russet potatoes can become grainy due to their high starch content.
Pearl Onions: Raw pearl onions are seasonal, but you can always find them in the frozen section at your local grocery store. They have a nice, mild flavor, are already peeled, and ready to add whole into this stew. If you can’t find these little gems, a regular chopped white onion will also work, but trust me, pearl onions are worth hunting down for their unique texture and flavor.
Troubleshooting
- If the stew is too thin, add more cornstarch slurry and simmer until thickened.
- For stew that’s too thick, slowly stir in additional beef broth until desired consistency is reached.
- If the beef isn’t tender after the recommended cooking time, continue to simmer until it reaches the desired tenderness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this comforting stew with dinner rolls for dipping or a light green salad for a balanced meal. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner, a potluck, or a gathering where you want to offer a warm, welcoming dish.
Tips from the Chef
- Brown the beef well to develop deep flavors in the stew.
- Cut vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed before serving.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Cool the stew to room temperature before transferring it to containers for storage.
Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Reheat on the stove over medium heat, adding a little water or broth if necessary to adjust consistency.
To freeze, transfer to an airtight freezer container or a resealable freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible and freeze for up to 3 months.
more favorite Stew recipes
Comforting Irish Stew
3 hrs 15 mins
Old Fashioned Chicken Stew
1 hr 5 mins
Instant Pot Beef Stew
1 hr 50 mins
Slow Cooker Irish Stew
6 hrs 15 mins
Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.
Made this recipe, and my family really loved it. I will rate this dish a five star. Thanks to the stay at home chef, my family are asking when will I be making ” that stew again”.
This was excellent! It made a lot of gravy which is fine but next time I’ll cut back the beef broth to 3 cups. I also used smoked paprika instead of regular paprika and cooked it for 3 hours for more tender beef.
I’m not usually a fan of beef stew but after reading the recipe I decided to make it so incredibly glad I did. The broth is like nothing you ever tasted before.
Best ever!
I’ve been making beef stew for years and this one was soooooo good. My family of three finished almost the whole pot in one sitting.
I did make a few tweaks out of necessity and old habits.
Added a can of Campbell’s French Onion soup to make up for shortage of beef broth and because I like a dark gravy, I always add a tablespoon or two of Gravy Master
Thanks again, Rachel, for making me look like a good cook!
Great recipes! I enjoy making everything, as they always are great!! Family and friends are enjoying all these meals!! They think I am a great cook!! Thank you!
So full of flavor. Love it!
This is absolutely the best beef stew tasted just like my grandmother’s thank you so much I used the slow cooker method
D e l i s h!!!
This is the best beef stew recipe! I normally cook it in the crock pot. I don’t have time to do that today. Can this be made in an instant pot? How long to cook?
Another great recipe from you Rachel
Quick & Easy
I shared this with my daughter and her family and of course my husband,it was a great hit !!
Thank you for the great job you are doing,love all your recipes,they are my go to ones