Easy Homemade Beef Stew – The Comforting Classic

This Easy Homemade Beef Stew is everything you want in a hearty, comforting meal. 🥘🍖 With tender beef, savory vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth, it’s the perfect dish to warm you up on chilly days. Plus, it’s simple to make, and you’ll love how it fills your home with amazing smells while it simmers away.

Whether you’re cooking it for a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this beef stew will surely satisfy. Let’s dive into this delicious recipe! 😋🔥

🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ Hearty & Comforting – Perfect for cozy evenings or family meals.
✅ Easy to Make – Minimal ingredients and simple steps.
✅ Packed with Flavor – A delicious mix of beef, vegetables, and a rich broth.
✅ Great for Meal Prep – Make it ahead and enjoy leftovers all week!

🛒 Key Ingredients & Substitutions

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy, delicious beef stew:

🥩 For the Beef Stew:

• 1.5 lbs beef stew meat (chuck roast works well) 🥩
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 🛢️
• 1 onion, chopped 🧅
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 🧄
• 4 cups beef broth 🍲
• 3 large potatoes, peeled and diced 🥔
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced 🥕
• 2 celery stalks, chopped 🌿
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 🌱
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary 🌿
• 1 bay leaf 🍂
• Salt & pepper to taste 🧂

💡 Substitutions & Variations:

✔️ Use chicken or vegetable broth for a lighter option.
✔️ Swap potatoes for sweet potatoes for a different twist.
✔️ Add peas or green beans for extra veggies.
✔️ For a thicker stew, use cornstarch or flour to make a slurry and stir it in during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

🔥 Step 1: Brown the Beef

1️⃣ Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
2️⃣ Add the beef stew meat and brown it on all sides (about 5–7 minutes).
3️⃣ Once browned, remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pot! Brown the beef in batches if needed to get that rich, caramelized flavor.

🔥 Step 2: Sauté the Veggies

1️⃣ In the same pot, add chopped onion and garlic.
2️⃣ Sauté for about 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3️⃣ Add the carrots, celery, and potatoes to the pot, stirring everything together.

💡 Pro Tip: Scrape the bottom of the pot to release any flavorful bits left from browning the beef.

🔥 Step 3: Simmer the Stew

1️⃣ Return the browned beef to the pot and add the beef broth.
2️⃣ Stir in the dried thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
3️⃣ Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
4️⃣ Cover the pot and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
5️⃣ Check the seasoning and adjust salt and pepper if needed.

💡 Pro Tip: The longer you simmer, the more tender the beef will get! Feel free to let it cook a little longer for extra flavor.

🔥 Step 4: Serve & Enjoy!

1️⃣ Remove the bay leaf before serving.
2️⃣ Ladle the stew into bowls and serve with a slice of crusty bread for dipping! 🍞

💡 Want more flavor? Sprinkle fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice for a bright finish! 🍋

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

This beef stew is a meal on its own, but here are some tasty ways to serve it:

• 🥖 With bread – Serve with warm, crusty bread to soak up all the delicious broth.
• 🍚 With rice – Serve over steamed rice for an extra hearty meal.
• 🥗 With a side salad – A fresh salad balances out the richness of the stew.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

📦 Storing Leftovers:

• Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.

🔥 Reheating Instructions:

• Stovetop: Reheat in a pot over medium heat until warmed through.
• Microwave: Heat in a microwave-safe bowl for 2–3 minutes, stirring halfway.
• Slow Cooker: Reheat on low for 2–3 hours if frozen, or until warm if refrigerated.

💡 Pro Tip: Stews often taste even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1️⃣ Can I Make This Ahead of Time?

Yes! Beef stew tastes even better the next day. You can prep it in advance and store it in the fridge for easy reheating.

2️⃣ Can I Use Different Cuts of Beef?

Absolutely! Chuck roast is ideal, but you can use round or brisket as well. Just make sure it’s a cut that benefits from slow cooking for tenderness.

3️⃣ How Do I Thicken My Beef Stew?

To thicken the stew, simply stir in a slurry of flour and water or cornstarch and water during the last 10 minutes of cooking. You can also mash some of the potatoes for a natural thickening effect!

4️⃣ Can I Make Beef Stew in the Slow Cooker?

Yes! Follow the same steps but cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.

5️⃣ Can I Add More Vegetables?

Yes! Feel free to add peas, green beans, or parsnips for more flavor and texture.

🍲 Conclusion – A Must-Try Comfort Food!

This Easy Homemade Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food for those chilly nights! 🥘🍖 It’s simple to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week ahead. With tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich broth, it’s sure to become a family favorite. Try it today and let me know what you think! 😋🔥

Enjoy!