Heartwarming Homestyle Beef Stew
Indulge in the rich flavors of this Heartwarming Homestyle Beef Stew that brings comfort to your table! Slow-cooked to perfection, this stew features tender pieces of beef simmered with an array of hearty vegetables. The stew is thickened to a luscious consistency, making it a perfect dish for chilly evenings, family gatherings, or any occasion that calls for a taste of home. Serve it with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a meal that warms both the heart and soul.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Stew meat
2 lbs (cut into 1-inch cubes)
Flour
1/4 cup (for coating beef)
Oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
Water
4 cups (for the stew base)
Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon
Garlic
2 teaspoons (minced)
Pepper
3/4 teaspoon (black pepper)
Bay leaves
2
Carrots
4 (sliced)
Celery
2 stalks (chopped)
Red potatoes
4 medium (cut into cubes)
Onions
3 small (chopped)
Green bell peppers
2 (chopped)
Flour
3 tablespoons (for thickening)
Water
3 tablespoons (for slurry)
Instructions
1
In a large zip-top bag, combine the beef cubes with 1/4 cup of flour. Shake well to coat the beef evenly.
2
In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the coated beef and cook until browned on all sides, stirring occasionally, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Pour in 4 cups of water and add Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, black pepper, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.
4
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 2 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
5
Once the beef is tender, remove and discard the bay leaves. Add the sliced carrots, chopped celery, cubed potatoes, chopped onions, and bell peppers to the stew.
6
Cover and continue to simmer for an additional 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
7
In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of flour with 3 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Gradually pour this mixture into the stew while stirring continuously.
8
Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the stew to a boil, stirring constantly until the stew thickens and becomes bubbly.
9
Serve hot with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heartwarming Homestyle Beef Stew?
It is a rich, comfort food dish featuring tender beef pieces simmered with hearty vegetables in a thickened, luscious sauce.
How many people does this beef stew recipe serve?
This recipe yields approximately 6 servings.
What type of meat should I use for this stew?
You should use 2 pounds of stew meat cut into 1-inch cubes.
How do I prepare the beef before cooking?
Combine the beef cubes with 1/4 cup of flour in a large zip-top bag and shake well to coat them evenly.
What is the first step in cooking the beef?
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown the coated beef on all sides.
How much water is required for the stew base?
You will need 4 cups of water for the main stew base.
What seasonings are added to the stew base?
The base is seasoned with 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, 3/4 teaspoon of black pepper, and 2 bay leaves.
How long should the beef simmer initially?
The beef should simmer covered on low heat for 2 hours or until fork-tender.
What vegetables are included in this stew?
The stew includes 4 sliced carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, 4 medium cubed red potatoes, 3 small chopped onions, and 2 chopped green bell peppers.
When should I add the vegetables to the pot?
Add the vegetables after the beef has simmered for 2 hours and you have removed the bay leaves.
How long do the vegetables need to cook?
The vegetables should simmer for an additional 30 minutes until they are tender.
How do I thicken the beef stew?
Whisk together 3 tablespoons of flour and 3 tablespoons of water to create a slurry, then gradually stir it into the stew.
Should I remove the bay leaves?
Yes, remove and discard the 2 bay leaves once the beef is tender and before adding the vegetables.
What is the final step for the thickening process?
After adding the slurry, increase the heat to medium-high and bring the stew to a boil while stirring constantly until it thickens.
What are the recommended serving suggestions?
Serve the stew hot with crusty bread or over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes.
What is the total simmering time for this recipe?
The total simmering time is approximately 2.5 hours.
Can I use a Dutch oven for this recipe?
Yes, a large Dutch oven is the recommended vessel for cooking this stew.
What kind of potatoes are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 medium red potatoes, cut into cubes.
How much garlic is required?
You will need 2 teaspoons of minced garlic.
What is the purpose of the zip-top bag?
It is used to easily and evenly coat the beef cubes with flour.
How many onions are needed?
The recipe requires 3 small chopped onions.
How much Worcestershire sauce is used?
One tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce is used for flavor.
What color bell peppers are used?
The recipe specifies 2 green bell peppers, chopped.
Is this recipe considered slow-cooked?
Yes, it is slow-cooked to perfection over a period of several hours to ensure tenderness.
How much flour is needed in total?
You need a total of 1/4 cup for coating the beef plus 3 tablespoons for the thickening slurry.
How much oil is used for browning?
Two tablespoons of oil are used for sautéing the beef.
What size should I cut the vegetables?
Carrots should be sliced, celery chopped, potatoes cubed, and onions and peppers chopped.
What should the heat setting be for the long simmer?
The heat should be reduced to low for the 2-hour simmer.
Does the stew need to be covered?
Yes, keep the pot covered while simmering both the meat and the vegetables.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include beef stew, comfort food, homestyle, hearty, slow-cooked, easy recipe, vegetables, and family meal.