Homemade Beef Stew Recipe
A hearty and comforting homemade beef stew featuring tender chunks of beef, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs simmered to perfection in a rich, flavorful broth. This classic stew is perfect for warming up on chilly days and offers a satisfying meal for family and friends.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Broth
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 pounds cubed beef stew meat
- 4 cubes beef bouillon, crumbled
- 4 cups water
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Vegetables
- 3 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 carrots, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 4 stalks celery, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 large onion, chopped
Thickening Agent
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons cold water
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the cubed beef stew meat and cook until the pieces are well browned on all sides, which helps develop the rich flavor base for the stew.
- Prepare Broth and Simmer: In a separate bowl, dissolve 4 cubes of beef bouillon in 4 cups of water. Pour the bouillon mixture into the pot with the browned beef. Stir in 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 1 hour to tenderize the beef and infuse flavors.
- Add Vegetables: After simmering the beef for an hour, add the cubed potatoes, carrot pieces, celery, and chopped onion to the pot. Stir the ingredients to combine them well.
- Thicken the Stew: Dissolve 2 teaspoons of cornstarch in 2 teaspoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the stew to help thicken the broth. Cover the pot again and continue to simmer the stew until the beef and vegetables are tender, about another hour.
- Final Check and Serve: Taste the stew and adjust seasoning if needed. Once tender and thickened to your liking, remove from heat and serve hot with bread or over rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
- For deeper flavor, brown the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- If you prefer a thicker stew, add more cornstarch slurry gradually until desired consistency is achieved.
- This stew can be made ahead and reheated; flavors often improve after resting overnight.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure that beef bouillon cubes are gluten-free or substitute with homemade beef stock.
Keywords: beef stew, homemade beef stew, comfort food, beef recipes, hearty stew, slow simmered beef, classic stew
Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/homemade-beef-stew-recipe/
