Description

This rich and homey Beef Stew combines tender beef chuck, fresh vegetables, and warming spices simmered slowly to create a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for any season. The broth is enhanced with natural tomato paste, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of apple cider vinegar, delivering a hearty dish that nourishes and satisfies with every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

1.5 pounds well-marbled beef chuck, cut into bite-sized cubes

Vegetables

3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
3 medium waxy potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids & Sauces

2 tablespoons tomato paste (natural)
2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
4 cups beef broth (natural)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil

Herbs & Spices

2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Thickening

1 teaspoon natural gelling agent diluted in cold water (used as needed to thicken)

Instructions

Prepare Your Ingredients: Trim the beef chuck into bite-sized cubes. Chop carrots, potatoes, and onions evenly. Mince the garlic. Have all seasonings ready before you begin cooking.
Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Sear the beef cubes in batches to avoid overcrowding. Brown the meat evenly to create deep flavor and seal in juices, then remove beef from the pot.
Sauté Vegetables: Add onions and garlic to the pot and cook until softened and fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning the garlic.
Build the Broth: Return the browned beef to the pot. Add tomato paste (natural) and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Pour in the beef broth (natural) and apple cider vinegar. Add bay leaves and thyme. Stir all ingredients and bring to a gentle simmer.
Simmer Until Tender: Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for about two hours until beef is tender. Halfway through cooking, add the chopped carrots and potatoes, so they cook without becoming mushy.
Thicken the Stew: If the broth is too thin, stir in a small amount of natural gelling agent diluted in cold water. Continue cooking a few minutes until the stew reaches a luscious, hearty consistency.

Notes

Use well-marbled beef chuck for best texture and juiciness.
Cook stew low and slow to maximize tenderness and flavor.
Brown beef in small batches to develop richest flavor.
Add delicate vegetables like carrots and potatoes halfway through cooking to keep them intact.
Season gradually and adjust salt and pepper to taste throughout cooking.
Fresh thyme and bay leaves provide superior brightness over dried herbs.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1.5 cups)
Calories: 350
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 80 mg

Keywords: beef stew, comfort food, hearty stew, slow cooked beef, vegetable stew, gluten free stew