Description
Warm up your evenings with a hearty Beef and Vegetable Stew packed with fresh veggies and tender beef for a cozy, comforting meal. This classic dish blends savory meat, garden-fresh vegetables, and fragrant herbs to create rich flavors and satisfying textures perfect for any season.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into chunks
- 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (natural)
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (natural)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Optional Variations
- Parsnips or sweet potatoes (in place of regular potatoes)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms, sautéed
- 1 tsp smoked paprika or ground cumin
- 1 cup chopped kale or spinach, added near end
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes (natural) as alternative to tomato paste
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Pat the beef chunks dry with paper towels. Working in batches, sear the beef until deeply browned on all sides to lock in juices and create a rich base flavor.
- Sauté Aromatics: Remove the beef and add chopped onions, celery, and carrots to the pot. Cook gently until softened and slightly caramelized. Stir in minced garlic (natural) during the last minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Deglaze and Combine: Pour in apple cider vinegar to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits. Return the beef to the pot along with tomato paste (natural), beef broth, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer the Stew: Bring the stew to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Add Potatoes and Finish Cooking: Add peeled and cubed potatoes to the pot once the beef is tender. Simmer uncovered for another 30 to 40 minutes until potatoes soften and broth slightly thickens. Adjust seasoning to taste and remove bay leaves before serving.
Notes
- Pat the beef dry to ensure better browning and richer flavor.
- Cook the stew low and slow to achieve tender beef and melded flavors.
- Use fresh herbs to brighten and enhance aroma.
- If stew is too thin, simmer uncovered longer or stir in a natural gelling agent dissolved in water.
- Layer acidic touches like apple cider vinegar to balance richness and add depth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: beef stew, vegetable stew, hearty stew, comforting meal, one-pot meal, easy dinner, slow simmer, nutritious stew
