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Beef Stew

Beef stew is a hearty comfort food made with tender beef, flavorful vegetables, and rich broth that provides a balanced and nutritious meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat
  • 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes Use a tender cut for best results.
Vegetables
  • 3 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 pieces bell peppers (yellow and red, optional) Add for additional flavor and nutrition.
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids
  • 1 cup red wine Can be substituted with beef broth for non-alcoholic version.
  • 4 cups beef broth Use low-sodium broth for a lighter version.
Spices & Seasonings
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil For browning the beef.
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste Adds richness to the broth.
  • 2 tbsp paprika (preferably Hungarian)
  • 1 tsp caraway seeds
  • 1 tsp dried marjoram
  • Salt and pepper, to taste Adjust according to preference.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Browning Beef
  1. Add the beef in batches, browning it on all sides for about 5-7 minutes per batch.
  2. Remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.
Cooking Vegetables
  1. In the same pot, cook the sliced onions until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes.
  2. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. If using, add bell peppers and sauté for another 3 minutes.
Building the Stew
  1. Stir in paprika, caraway seeds, and tomato paste; cook for 1-2 minutes.
  2. Deglaze with red wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom; simmer until reduced by half.
  3. Add beef broth and return the browned beef to the pot; stir in marjoram.
Simmering
  1. Cover and cook on low heat for 2 to 2.5 hours until the beef is tender.
Serving
  1. Taste and adjust seasoning; serve hot with healthy sides.

Notes

Beef stew can be refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for 3 months. Reheat in the fridge or microwave.