Hearty No-Brown Beef Stew
This Hearty No-Brown Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food for cozy evenings spent at home. Designed for simplicity and delicious flavor, this recipe allows you to toss all the ingredients into a pot without the need for any prior browning. Just set it and forget it! As the stew gently braises in the oven, your house will fill with unforgettable aromas that will make your mouth water. Perfect for busy days or when you’re entertaining guests, this dish can be served with crusty bread or rolls and pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad and a good bottle of wine. Enjoy a warm, hearty meal that requires minimal effort and maximum satisfaction!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless lean beef, cut into 1-1/2-inch cubes
2 lbs (Trimmed of fat)
Flour
1/4 cup (Mixed with seasonings)
Dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon (Ground)
Marjoram
1/2 teaspoon (Dried)
Crumbled rosemary
1/2 teaspoon (Dried)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Paprika
1/2 teaspoon (Smoked or sweet, as desired)
Black pepper
To taste (Freshly ground)
Canned tomatoes
1 (28-ounce) can (With liquid)
Large carrots
8 (Peeled and cut into thick slices)
Medium potatoes
4 (Scrubbed and cut into chunks)
Large onion
1 (Cut into chunks)
Bay leaf
1 (Whole)
Small rutabaga or turnip
1 (Cut into chunks)
Fresh green beans
To taste (Cut into pieces)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).
2
Trim any visible fat from the beef cubes, then set aside.
3
In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, salt, paprika, and black pepper to your liking. Add the beef cubes to the bag, seal it, and shake until the meat is well coated with the flour mixture.
4
In a 3-4 quart casserole dish or Dutch oven, combine the coated beef cubes with the canned tomatoes (including the liquid), carrots, potatoes, onion, bay leaf, rutabaga or turnip, and green beans. Mix everything together gently.
5
Cover the dish with a lid or tightly with aluminum foil.
6
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 4 hours, or until the meat is very tender. Stir occasionally if possible, but it’s not necessary.
7
Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Discard the bay leaf before serving.
8
Serve hot with crusty bread or rolls and enjoy a comforting meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty No-Brown Beef Stew?
It is a comfort food dish where lean beef and vegetables are braised slowly in the oven without the need to sear or brown the meat first.
Do I need to brown the beef before putting it in the oven?
No, this recipe is specifically designed to be 'no-brown,' meaning you toss all ingredients into the pot and let the oven do the work.
How long does the beef stew need to cook?
The stew should be baked for approximately 4 hours until the meat is very tender.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 275°F (135°C).
What cut of beef should I use?
Use 2 lbs of boneless lean beef, cut into 1-1/2-inch cubes.
How do I coat the beef with the flour and seasonings?
Combine the flour and spices in a large resealable plastic bag, add the beef cubes, seal, and shake until well coated.
Which spices are used in the seasoning mix?
The mix includes dried thyme, marjoram, crumbled rosemary, salt, paprika, and black pepper.
What kind of vegetables go into this stew?
This recipe includes carrots, potatoes, onion, rutabaga or turnip, and fresh green beans.
Should I drain the canned tomatoes?
No, you should use the canned tomatoes along with their liquid to provide moisture for the braising process.
What size casserole dish is recommended?
A 3-4 quart casserole dish or a Dutch oven is perfect for this recipe.
Do I need to stir the stew while it bakes?
Stirring occasionally is possible if you wish, but it is not necessary for the recipe to turn out successfully.
Should the dish be covered in the oven?
Yes, cover the dish tightly with a lid or aluminum foil to keep the moisture inside.
What should I do with the bay leaf?
The bay leaf should be discarded after cooking and before serving the stew.
What are some recommended side dishes for this stew?
It pairs beautifully with crusty bread, rolls, a fresh green salad, and a good bottle of wine.
Can I use a turnip instead of a rutabaga?
Yes, you can use either one small rutabaga or one turnip cut into chunks.
How should the potatoes be prepared?
Scrub the potatoes well and cut them into chunks; peeling is optional based on preference.
Is this a good recipe for meal prep?
Yes, it is a 'set it and forget it' meal that requires minimal effort, making it ideal for busy days.
Can I use sweet paprika instead of smoked?
Yes, you can use either smoked or sweet paprika as desired.
How much fat should be left on the beef?
It is recommended to trim any visible fat from the beef cubes before coating them in flour.
Does this recipe use beef broth?
No, the liquid comes from the 28-ounce can of tomatoes and the juices released by the vegetables and meat.
Can I use frozen green beans?
While the recipe specifies fresh, frozen green beans can be used as a substitute if fresh ones are unavailable.
How many carrots are needed?
The recipe calls for 8 large carrots, peeled and cut into thick slices.
What is the texture of the meat after 4 hours?
After 4 hours at a low temperature, the beef becomes very tender and succulent.
Can I add more black pepper?
Yes, the recipe suggests adding black pepper to your personal liking.
Why is the oven temperature so low?
The low temperature of 275°F allows the meat to break down slowly and stay tender without boiling or drying out.
How many onions are used?
One large onion, cut into chunks, is used for this stew.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
While this is an oven recipe, the ingredients could be adapted for a slow cooker by cooking on low for 7-8 hours.
Is the flour necessary?
The flour helps thicken the juices into a gravy-like consistency as the stew cooks.
Is this stew dairy-free?
Yes, this recipe does not contain any milk, butter, or cheese products.
What makes this stew 'hearty'?
The combination of 2 lbs of beef, potatoes, carrots, and root vegetables makes it a very filling and substantial meal.