Easy Homemade Beef Stew

By Rena Awada | Updated On May 15, 2020

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.

classic beef stew

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.easy and healthy beef stew recipe
  • 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.

classic beef stew recipe

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 –  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.

easy homemade beef stew

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.

homemade beef stew recipe

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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healthy beef stew recipe with potatoes and carrots

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easy homemade beef stew

easy homemade beef stew

Easy Homemade Beef Stew

Made with tender meat chunks, carrots, and potatoes in a deliciously seasoned sauce on a stove-top.
4.97 from 491 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 383kcal
Author: Rena

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

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

Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 936mg | Potassium: 972mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2223IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 6mg
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easy homemade beef stew

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sharon says

    5 stars
    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.

  2. Grace says

    5 stars
    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

  3. 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

  4. Shoshone59 says

    5 stars
    We have made this stew recipe 20+times and it is spot on every time!
    Thank you for sharing!!!

  5. Umm Jun says

    5 stars
    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

      • Leigh Ann says

        5 stars
        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!

  6. Kim S. says

    5 stars
    This is the beef stew recipe I have been looking for! Easy and absolutely delicious. My hubby and son loved it, too! Thank you!

  7. Nancy says

    5 stars
    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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. Sheryl says

    5 stars
    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!

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