This braised beef stew recipe is so simple and so melt in your mouth delicious! It’s truly the ultimate comfort food!
Be sure to try our braised beef short ribs and juicy braised beef recipe.
Most folks turn to lighter foods this time of year, but I’m still on winter cooking mode. It’s freezing outside and nothing sounds better comfort food like braised beef, beef brisket sandwich, or this warm flavorful stew. So comfort food it is!
Everyone has their variation of beef stew, so you’re welcome to swap or add your favorite vegetables to this dish. After all, beef stew is practically the definition of comfort food, so make it to your liking 🙂
Beef stew tip:
If you prefer to make this braised beef stew recipe in a slow cooker, don’t skip on browning the beef. This step is crucial for improving flavor and locking in juices.
How to make beef stew
- First, you’ll want to braise or brown the beef chunks in a large dutch oven pot over high heat. Then remove the braised beef chunks and reserve for later.
- Now, in the same pot, cook the chopped onion, minced garlic, and sliced mushrooms. Then you’ll add the spices (thyme, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper) and simmer them for about 2 minutes.
- Next, add the celery, baby potatoes, and braised beef chunks, back into the pot along with the red wine and chicken stock.
- Now place the lid on and bring it to a boil, then cook the braised beef stew in the oven for 1 hour at 320 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to thicken beef stew?
- After the beef has been braised and cooked in the oven for about 1 hour, you can thicken up the juices by combing all-purpose flour and softened butter in a small bowl and pouring it straight into the braised beef stew.
- Then place the lid back on and cook for another hour.
Slow cooker beef stew
- Brown the beef chunks in a skillet with hot oil over high heat, then toss all the remaining ingredients into a slow cooker (besides the flour and butter).
- Cook the slow cooker beef stew on low for 7 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Then mix the softened butter and flour and add it to the slow cooker beef stew. Cook for an additional 30 minutes on high.
Can you freeze beef stew?
- You most definitely can freeze beef stew! I love to freeze this braised beef stew recipe into gallon sized ziplock bags. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature.
What to serve with beef stew?
- We love to serve this braised beef stew with mashed potatoes or even scalloped potatoes.
- Any bread like cornbread, harvest bread, or rustic bread is a great side too.
- Vegetable sides like garlic asparagus, cabbage cucumber salad, or shredded carrot salad.
Beef Stew
The simplest and most delicious melt in your mouth braised beef stew ever!
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Servings: 10
Calories: 315kcal
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lbs chuck beef
- 1 medium onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 8 oz mushrooms
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 ribs celery
- 1 lb baby carrots
- 2 cups baby red potatoes
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 tbsp butter softened
- 2 tbsp flour
Instructions
- Cut the beef into 2 inch chunks. Then add olive oil into a Dutch oven pot. Bring the heat to high. Once the oil is smoking, add the beef chunks into the pot. Evenly brown each side of the beef chunks. Then remove from the pot.
- Place the chopped onion and minced garlic into the pot and stir over medium high heat until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the mushrooms and stir until they become tender.
- Then add 1/2 tsp thyme, 1/2 tsp oregano, 2 tsp paprika, 2 tsp salt , and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Place the celery, baby carrots, and baby red potatoes into the pot, then place the browned beef chunks on top. Give them a quick stir.
- Pour in the red wine and chicken stock.
- Place the lid over the pot and bring it to a boil. Remove from the cook top and place it into a 320 Fahrenheit degree oven for 1 hour
- Meanwhile, with a fork combined 2 tbsp softened butter with 2 tbsp flour.
- After the beef has cooked for 1 hour place the butter and flour mixture into the pot and cook for an additional hour with the lid back on.
Nutrition
Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 668mg | Potassium: 714mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 6570IU | Vitamin C: 8.7mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 3.1mg
Did you make this recipe? Snap a photo of it and tag me on Instagram @simplyhomecooked or use the hashtag #simplyhomecooked so I can see it and feature it!
This recipe was originally posted on Jan 31, 2018, we’ve tweaked it a bit since then.
Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!
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Gill Bullock says
Why use chicken stock in a beef stew?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Gill 🙂 Good question! I use it for a little bit of flavor. It is better than using water and it will not make your beef stew have a chicken flavor. Most people don’t have beef stock or broth at home. More people tend to carry chicken stock, so I try to incorporate ingredients to make it easier for my readers. Hope that helps clarify 🙂
Hannah Flack says
I’m going to make this for dinner tonight! I’m going to make it on the stove instead of the slow cooker, though. Thanks for the lovely dinner inspiration! 🙂
simplyhomecooked says
My pleasure Hannah! It’s such a simple and delicious meal. I’m going to be making it for a family gathering next week too 🙂
Mikaela L. says
Yummy! It was so delicious! We doubled the liquid and swapped celery for green peas. Thank you for the amazing recipe! 🙂
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you for taking the time to write such nice feedback, Mikaela! I’m glad this beef stew was a winner for you!
Kendra says
Sooooo yummy…..comfort in bowl! Made this on a rainy windy Sunday in February….everything about it was perfection. Thank you for the recipe.
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Kendra! I am so happy to hear that you love my braised beef stew recipe 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to write feedback and I hope you enjoy more recipes from my blog! 🙂
Albert Bevia says
It´s so true, when the weather is freezing outside, there is nothing better than a warm bowl of comfort food, this beef stew is just calling my name, beautiful dish filled with simple yet tasty flavors….great recipe
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Albert!