This Classic Homemade Beef Stew recipe is so easy to make and so heavenly. A one-pot meal that’s hearty, flavorful and loaded with tender beef morsels, potatoes, and carrots. Cooked in a rich and savory sauce, this beef stew recipe is comfort food at its best.
This simple and healthy beef stew recipe can easily be made in an instant pot, slow cooker, in the oven, or on a stovetop. We will be showing you the different ways to cook up this delicious homemade beef stew so you can make it whichever way is more convenient. Enjoy tender, melt in your mouth beef chunks with soft comforting potatoes and carrots. We assure you that this will be the best beef stew recipe you will ever have!
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE BEEF STEW
Lets first talk about how we made this easy vegetable beef stew recipe.
- Preheat oven: While prepping everything else preheat the oven to 325° F.
- Prep Beef: Season the beef chunks on all sides with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over and toss the seasoned beef to coat it on all sides.
- Heat Skillet: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. If you don’t have a dutch oven, use an oven-safe skillet/pot that has a cover.
- Partially cook beef: Brown the beef in batches, on all sides, for 3-4 minutes per batch. Don’t worry about cooking the beef all the way through at this stage. Transfer the browned beef to a plate and set aside.
- Add other ingredients: Then add the onions, garlic, and carrots to the Dutch oven, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly browned. Add the potatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, bay leaf, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce, and use a wooden spoon to scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Mix and simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring, and return the beef to the pot.
- Cook in Oven: Cover the Dutch oven (pot), and transfer to the preheated oven. Cook the stew for 2-2.5 hours, or until the beef is very tender. Remove the bay leaf.
- Serve: Taste the stew and season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Serve warm.
Note: To finish cooking this beef stew on the stovetop, cover the pot and let it simmer for 60-90 using medium to low heat. Check it occasionally to see if the beef is tender using a fork and add some broth or water if the sauce starts to dry out.
How to make beef stew in a crockpot or slow cooker
So many of you out there love the convenience of using a crockpot or slow cooker. Who wouldn’t? Set everything up, go to work, go run some errands, take your kids to their activities and come back to dinner ready to serve!
There is a quick method to using a crockpot to make this hearty beef stew and another more flavorful method.
THE QUICK METHOD:
- Turn on the crockpot or slow cooker
- Add the beef, veggies, broth, spices, and all the ingredients in together at once.
- Give it a nice mix
- Cook on low for 9-10 hours, medium 7-8 hours, and high 6-7 hours.
- To thicken the stew, 30 minutes before serving, remove about 1/2 cup of the liquid/sauce, mix it with about 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Pour it back in and allow to cook and thicken up. Remove bay leaf, serve and enjoy.
MORE FLAVORFUL METHOD
- Set up the crockpot
- Season the beef chunks on all sides with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over and toss the seasoned beef to coat it on all sides.
- In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Brown the beef in batches, on all sides, for 3-4 minutes per batch. The beef does not need to be cooked through. Transfer the browned beef to a plate and set aside.
- Deglaze –Â Add the onions, garlic, and carrots to the skillet, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly browned. Add the broth and let it cook for another minute to deglaze the bottom of the skillet and collect all the flavors.
- In the crockpot or slow cooker, add the potatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce.
- ADD in the beef. Give it a good mix to combine everything.
- Cook on low for 9-10 hours, medium 7-8 hours, and high 6-7 hours.
- To thicken the stew, 30 minutes before serving, remove about 1/2 cup of the liquid/sauce, mix it with about 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Pour it back in and allow to cook and thicken up. Remove bay leaf, serve and enjoy.
How to make beef stew in an instant pot
- Prep: cut up beef into small chunk sizes along with the potatoes and carrots
- Prep Beef: Season the beef chunks on all sides with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over and toss the seasoned beef to coat it on all sides.
- Brown the beef: Turn on the instant pot, and put it on the saute mode. Add the oil and then add the beef. Brown the beef for 3-4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Cook onion: After you remove the beef, add onions and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes and stir until brown and soft.
- Deglaze: Pour the broth over the onions. Scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir for a minute.
- Season: Next, add the tomato paste, seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir for a couple of minutes.
- Add beef and veggies: Then, add the beef in, top with the potatoes and carrots. Finally, add the bay leaf.
- Close IP and cook: Close the lid of the instant pot, turn the steam release valve to seal. Press manual, and cook at high for 35 minutes, then allow the pot to naturally release for 10 minutes before opening the lid. Remove the bay leaf.
Notes: If the stew is not thick enough to your liking, you may thicken it with some corn starch. We mentioned above to use the sauce of the stew to mix in with some cornstarch but another way to thicken the sauce would be to mix about 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with a tad bit of water and pour into the instant pot. Mix and turn it to sautee mode again for another 5-10 minutes until the stew thickens up. Serve and Enjoy.
Some frequently asked questions about beef stew
How to thicken beef stew
The easiest way to thicken beef stew would be to mix about 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with some water, add it to the stew, stir and cook for a few more minutes until it thickens up. Not too keen on using corn starch? You may use some whole wheat flour instead.
You could always remove some of the carrots and potatoes and blend them with a bit of water before returning it back to the stew to thicken it up.
What to serve with beef stew
Here are some great side options to try with beef stew:
- Cauliflower rice
- Quinoa
- Brown or basmati rice
- Corn Bread
- Mashed potatoes – Try THIS low carb cauliflower mash potato
- Salads and steamed veggies
How long to cook beef stew in a crockpot
When using a crockpot, cook on low for 9-10 hours, medium 7-8 hours, and high 6-7 hours.
How long to cook beef stew in an instant pot
Once you’ve sauteed the veggies and browned the beef and you are ready to close the lid of the instant pot, it takes about 30-35 minutes on HIGH for the stew to cook through and become tender.
How to cook beef stew
There are a few ways to cook beef stew. It will depend on your preferred method. You can cook on your stovetop, in the oven, in your crockpot or slow cooker, or in an instant pot. We have discussed all the methods above to show you how to cook your beef stew.
what cut of beef is a stew meat
The most popular cut of meat used for stew is Chuck. You may also use a variety of roasts like bottom round, round tip, top round, and pot roast. Some others to consider would be oxtail, bohemian, and cross-cut shank.
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Easy Homemade Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Beef Chuck Roast cut into 2-inch chunks, excess fat removed
- 1 Tsp Kosher Salt
- ½ Tsp Coarsely Ground Black Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Gluten-free All-Purpose Flour or Whole Wheat for non-gluten
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- ½ Yellow Onion Chopped Large
- 4 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 Large Carrot or two small-medium, cut into 2-inch chunks
- 2 Yukon Gold Potatoes diced into 2-inch pieces
- 2 Cups Beef Broth
- ¼ Cup Tomato Paste
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Bay Leaves
- 2 Tsp Fresh Thyme Leaves to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325° F.
- Season the beef chunks on all sides with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over and toss the seasoned beef to coat it on all sides
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the beef in batches, on all sides, for 3-4 minutes per batch. Don’t worry about cooking the beef all the way through at this stage. Transfer the browned beef to a plate and set aside.
- Add the onions, garlic, and carrots to the Dutch oven, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly browned.
- Add the potatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, bay leaf, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce, and use a wooden spoon to scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring, and return the beef to the pot. Cover the Dutch oven, and transfer to the preheated oven
- Cook the stew for 2-2.5 hours, or until the beef is very tender. Remove the bay leaf. Taste the stew and season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Serve warm.
Video
Notes
- You may add an additional 1-2 cups of water or more broth if you like to have more broth on your stew
Nutrition
Danielle says
Do I have to add the Worcestershire Sauce?
Rena says
If you don’t have it you can skip it or add a little soy sauce.
Tracy Grant says
I don’t have beef broth or chicken broth will water do.
Rena says
Hi. Yes water will work. Do you have chicken or beef bouillon?
Sharon says
Had all the ingredients in the house. I cooked on top of stove. I never have put tomato paste in many things because my husband is a meat and potato guy, not a lot of seasoning. At least spices he does not see. This time I put in tomato paste just 1/2 and he decided to taste it and he ate 2 bowls. Now we can both enjoy a delicious meal that has great flavor.
Rena says
Super awesome. Thanks for sharing that with me. Glad your husband loved it.
Grace says
I made in slowly cook and really was delicious, then I made more to put in the freezer.
I put shopped coriander
I enjoy very much your recipes
Thanks Rena
Rena says
Thank you!
Cheryl says
This is like my normal stew that I make big difference is the tomato paste and definitely adds a very nice taste . I will continue to make it this way everyone loved it. I also make doughboys with my stew
Rena says
Perfect!
Pamela says
What are doughboys?Doughboy?? Please leave us the recipe.
Rena says
What is that? I tried looking
Jamie says
Can you add corn
Rena says
Yes you can
Sarah says
How much is a cup in grams? I really want to make this but I have no clue how much broth to use! Thank you
Rena says
Hi Sarah. One cup of broth is about 235g of broth.
Dee says
What is the serving size for this? Is it a cup?
Rena says
Yes. thats about right
Grace says
Absolutely delicious everyone enjoy so so much
Thanks for your brilliant recipes
Rena says
Thank you Grace.
Shoshone59 says
We have made this stew recipe 20+times and it is spot on every time!
Thank you for sharing!!!
Rena says
Amazing! So glad you guys love this
Elaine says
I’ve made this at least 8 times and everyone loves it. We started with my folks for a month and I made this and they loved it too. My mom even froze some for my dad to have while recovering from surgery. Great recipe!
Rena says
Thanks for the feedback. So glad everyone loves this
Michelle Facey says
Gorgeous recipe thankyou!
Tucking into it now with crusty bread & butter fabulous
Rena says
Awesome. Glad you loved it.
Jane Millman says
This was easy and so delicious
Rena says
Thanks Jane
Umm Jun says
I tried this recipe and got the taste of stew I’ve always been yearning for but I used mutton because I didn’t have beef, it was delicious 5 stars
Rena says
Thank you. Glad you loved it.
Leigh Ann says
I made this for the first time last week. It isn’t the type of meal that my husband or grown son usually care for but said they’d try it. We loved it! I have a huge cast iron Dutch oven with lid and I cooked it in oven. Well here I am making it a second time and doubled it! This will be my only stew recipe from now on!
Rena says
Thank you so much for the feedback. I am so glad this recipe is a winner for you.
Yasmine says
GREAT recipe and easy too!!! Putting flour on the meat makesyas a thicker sauce!!!! Loved it!!!!!
Rena says
So glad you loved it
Holly says
Very, very good!! I like the thickness of the sauce. Best recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Rena says
So glad you loved it. Thank you.
Kim S. says
This is the beef stew recipe I have been looking for! Easy and absolutely delicious. My hubby and son loved it, too! Thank you!
Rena says
Amazing. So glad you all loved it.
Ms Marta says
This was my first and BEST EVER Beef Stew and everyone absolutely loved it. Thanks so much!
Rena says
So glad you loved it.
Nancy says
I made this tonight. Very good! I made a few adjustments: I added 1 cup of red wine into onions and carrots to deglaze the pan, used 3 cups of chicken broth (less cholesterol), used a small bag of baby carrots and instead of Worcestershire sauce I used Pick-a-Pepper sauce (great steak sauce from Jamaica!) Everyone loved it! Thank you for a great recipe.
Rena says
That sounds amazing!
Mayra says
When making it in the crock-pot do you add beef broth to it or not? I didn’t see that on the instructions.
Rena says
Yes, you need to add it. Will get that fixed.
William alexander says
I don’t see how to make it in a slow cooker was going to try to make it tonight but I don’t have a Dutch oven
Rena says
Hello William. I just published a Slow cooker homemade beef stew recipe if you would like to just adjust the settings
Kathleen Rousseau I says
This recipe sounds so good. I have a big family. How many servings does it serve?
Rena says
Hi there, It serves 6
Kathy Korte says
Can I use chicken broth instead. I don’t have beef
Rena says
Yes you can
Yamane says
I’m planning on making this Sunday. I don’t own a Dutch oven. How will the cooking instructions change if I do it stovetop?
Rena says
No, it won’t change. Cover and allow it to cook on the stovetop. Check on the liquid and doneness of the veggies and meat so it doesn’t dry and burns. You can add more broth or water if needed.
LuAnn says
Can this recipe be made in a slow cooker? Thanks. It sounds delicious. Can’t wait to make it.
Rena says
Yes. I included on there how to make it in the slow cooker. Let me know if you need any help with it .
Leslie Fero says
Have you made this with each method? If so, your favorite method? I have to have the beef very tender otherwise I have some who can’t chew!
If I go with 1.5 x everything (I’m feeding 8) is there anything that should not be multiplied (you know, like you never double curry). THANX
Rena says
You could up the ingredients and it will be just fine. If you don’t want to add more garlic it would be fine. I honestly love adding tons of garlic to everything. Can never go wrong. As for the stovetop or oven version it really will come out the same but it will be crispier looking like the image if done in the oven. Give it time to cook for soft beef. I know what you mean when it comes to kids and how soft the beef is. I have made this not on the stovetop and oven and both times i didn’t have an issue. It all comes down to a preference.
Tracy says
Can this be made in the crockpot? If so how long to cook?
Rena says
Yes. I have that listed under “the quick method” set it at high for 6-7 hours
Sheryl says
Great recipe! I used 2 lbs of carrots and 4 cups chicken stock instead of the 2 cups beef broth and my husband and 1.5 year old gobbled it up. Thanks!
Rena says
So awesome. Thanks for the feedback
Maria says
Can I substitute the potatoes to sweet potatoes? And flour to Almond flour? Thanks!
Rena says
Yes you sure can
Lindsey Calby says
When made in the instant pot, are the carrots mushy ? Or still have a bite to them?
Rena says
They are just right and not mushy. Depends on the size of the carrots
Darlene says
I have been making beef stew for 40 years and made this for the 1st time. Best beef stew I ever made!
Rena says
So glad to hear this. Thanks for the amazing feedback
Yasmine says
I made this beef stew this morning and just had it this evening.. Absolutely lovely. Would highly recommend it.
Rena says
That’s awesome. So glad you loved it.