Description

A classic beef stew recipe featuring tender beef chuck roast, fresh vegetables, and rich, savory flavors. This comforting one-pot dish is slow-cooked to perfection, combining hearty chunks of beef with carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes in a flavorful broth enriched with natural herbs and seasonings. Perfect for cozy nights at home, this recipe is simple to prepare, customizable, and delivers deep, soul-warming taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into cubes

Vegetables

3 medium carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 yellow onions, chopped
3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced

Liquids & Seasonings

4 cups natural beef broth
2 tbsp tomato paste (natural)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
2 tbsp natural gelling agent
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Oil for browning

Instructions

Prepare and Brown the Beef: Cut the beef chuck roast into evenly sized cubes. Season with salt and pepper. Heat a pot with a splash of oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding, ensuring a deep caramelization on all sides. Remove browned beef and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add chopped onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until tender and fragrant, building a flavorful base.
Deglaze and Add Liquids: Pour in apple cider vinegar to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits. Add beef broth, tomato paste, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), thyme, and bay leaves. Stir well to combine flavors.
Simmer the Stew: Return browned beef to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is tender and flavors have melded.
Add Potatoes and Thicken: Add peeled and chopped potatoes. Simmer for another 30 to 40 minutes until potatoes are tender. Sprinkle natural gelling agent evenly while stirring to thicken the stew to a luscious, hearty texture.
Final Seasoning: Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves before serving.

Notes

Brown beef in batches to ensure even caramelization.
Cook stew gently on low heat to tenderize beef and meld flavors.
Deglaze pot thoroughly to capture caramelized flavors.
Add potatoes later to avoid mushiness.
Let stew rest off heat for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to marry.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 350
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: beef stew, comfort food, one-pot meal, slow cooked beef, hearty stew, easy dinner