Hearty Homestyle Beef Stew
This Hearty Homestyle Beef Stew is a beloved recipe that has been fine-tuned over decades to provide the ultimate comfort on a cold, blustery evening. With tender chunks of beef and vibrant vegetables enveloped in a robust, savory gravy, this dish embodies the warmth and richness of a classic family meal. A staple adapted from the iconic Fanny Farmer cookbook, it offers flexibility with preparation - whether you're using a Dutch oven, a slow cooker, or a pressure cooker for time efficiency. Pair it with crusty rolls for a satisfying experience. Prepare the stew a day in advance to enhance the flavors; just skim off the excess fat before reheating. Using a mix of beef broth and water enriches the stew, complemented by a hint of Kitchen Bouquet for a deeper color and taste.
6
Servings
533
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
1/3 cup (combined with salt and pepper)
salt
1 teaspoon (mixed with flour and pepper)
ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon (mixed with flour and salt)
stewing beef or chuck roast
2 lbs (cut into bite-sized cubes)
beef bones with marrow
1-2 lbs package (optional)
canola oil
2-4 tablespoons (for browning)
beef broth or water
10-12 cups (heated until boiling)
lemon juice
1 tablespoon (mixed in stew)
Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon (mixed in stew)
onion
1 large (diced)
bay leaves
2 (added whole to stew)
allspice
1/4 teaspoon (added to stew)
carrots
12 (peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces)
potatoes
4 (peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces)
Instructions
1
Combine the flour, salt, and pepper in a large ziplock bag.
2
Add the beef cubes, around 8 at a time, and shake vigorously to coat them in the flour mixture.
3
Remove the beef cubes and set aside, repeating the process with the remaining beef.
4
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat.
5
Brown the beef bones on all sides, then remove them from the pot and set aside.
6
If needed, add additional oil to the pot and heat until very hot.
7
Carefully add the beef cubes in batches to avoid overcrowding and brown them on all sides. Set aside each batch as you go.
8
When all the beef is browned, return both the bones and beef cubes to the pot.
9
Carefully pour in the boiling beef broth or water; be cautious as it will cause a lot of steam and sputtering.
10
Stir in the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and allspice.
11
Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, cover the pot, and let it cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
12
Add the diced onion, carrots, and potatoes to the pot, stirring to incorporate.
13
Continue to simmer for an additional 30 to 45 minutes, or until the vegetables are fork-tender.
14
Remove the bones from the stew and discard.
15
If desired, thicken the stew with a flour slurry before serving.
16
Serve hot, partnered with crusty rolls for dipping into the rich gravy.
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
38.3g
Carbs
37.5g
Protein
4.2g
Fiber
5.8g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Homestyle Beef Stew?
It is a classic comfort dish featuring tender beef chunks and vibrant vegetables in a robust, savory gravy, adapted from the Fanny Farmer cookbook.
How many servings does this beef stew recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 6 servings.
What cut of beef is best for this stew?
The recipe recommends using 2 lbs of stewing beef or chuck roast cut into bite-sized cubes.
Can I make this stew in a slow cooker?
Yes, this recipe is flexible and can be prepared in a Dutch oven, slow cooker, or pressure cooker.
Are beef bones necessary for the recipe?
The beef bones with marrow are optional but recommended for adding depth and richness to the flavor.
Why should I coat the beef in flour before browning?
Coating the beef in a flour, salt, and pepper mixture helps create a crust during browning and contributes to thickening the gravy.
How long does the beef need to simmer?
The beef should simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until it becomes tender, before adding the vegetables.
What vegetables are included in this stew?
The stew includes one large diced onion, 12 carrots, and 4 potatoes.
What is the recommended liquid for the stew base?
The recipe calls for 10-12 cups of boiling beef broth or water.
Can I prepare this stew in advance?
Yes, preparing the stew a day in advance is encouraged to enhance the flavors; simply skim off excess fat before reheating.
What spices are used to flavor the gravy?
The flavor is developed using salt, ground pepper, bay leaves, and allspice.
What is the purpose of lemon juice in the stew?
A tablespoon of lemon juice is added to provide a touch of acidity that balances the rich, savory flavors.
How do I thicken the stew if it is too thin?
You can thicken the stew at the end of the cooking process by adding a flour slurry.
What should I do with the beef bones after cooking?
The bones should be removed from the stew and discarded before serving.
What is Kitchen Bouquet and why is it mentioned?
Kitchen Bouquet is a browning and seasoning sauce suggested as a tip to provide a deeper color and taste to the stew.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 533 calories.
How much protein is in one serving of this stew?
There are 37.5g of protein per serving.
How much fat is in the beef stew?
Each serving contains about 25g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
There are 38.3g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fiber is in each serving?
This recipe provides 4.2g of fiber per serving.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
Yes, there are 5.8g of sugar per serving.
Why is it important to brown the meat in batches?
Browning in batches avoids overcrowding the pot, ensuring the meat sears properly rather than steaming.
What should I serve with the beef stew?
It is best paired with crusty rolls, which are perfect for dipping into the rich gravy.
How do I prepare the carrots and potatoes?
Both should be peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces before being added to the pot.
What oil is recommended for browning the beef?
The recipe suggests using 2-4 tablespoons of canola oil.
How many bay leaves are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 bay leaves, which are added whole to the stew.
When do I add the vegetables to the stew?
Add the onion, carrots, and potatoes after the beef has simmered for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
How long do the vegetables take to cook?
The vegetables should simmer for an additional 30 to 45 minutes until fork-tender.
Is Worcestershire sauce used in this recipe?
Yes, one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce is mixed into the stew for extra savory depth.
What is the total number of ingredients required?
This recipe uses 14 main ingredients.