Hearty Vegetable Beef Stew

🕒 Prep: 20 min
🔥 Cook: 2 hours
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
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This Hearty Vegetable Beef Stew is a classic comfort dish that warms you from the inside out. With its rich flavors and tender beef, it’s perfect for a cozy night in or impressing friends with a homemade meal. You’ll love how it fills your kitchen with a savory aroma that beckons everyone to the table.

Ingredients for Hearty Vegetable Beef Stew

Beef chuck is the star here, providing rich flavor when cooked slowly. Olive oil helps in browning the beef, adding a layer of depth. A mix of onion, carrots, and celery forms the classic mirepoix base, bringing sweetness and savory notes. Garlic adds a hearty aroma, while beef broth and water create a flavorful stew base. Potatoes add substance, and green beans with peas contribute freshness and texture. The diced tomatoes introduce a tangy balance. Worcestershire sauce offers a subtle umami punch, and dried thyme and rosemary provide an earthy fragrance. Finish with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley for brightness.

Tips & Tricks

  • For a richer flavor, deglaze the pot with a splash of red wine after browning the beef.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot for even heat distribution.
  • Consider prepping the veggies the night before to save time.
  • If the stew is too thin, mash some of the potatoes to thicken it.

Serving Suggestions

This stew is fantastic with a slice of crusty bread to soak up the broth. For a heartier meal, serve it over a bed of mashed potatoes or with a side of steamed rice. A simple salad with a tangy vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the stew's richness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, beef brisket or short ribs work well too, though cooking times may vary.
Can I make this stew in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Brown the beef and sauté the veggies first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Hearty Vegetable Beef Stew Recipe Walkthrough

Start by heating up the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once it’s hot, add the beef cubes. Let them sear on all sides until they're browned. Take your time with this step; you want a nice crust on the beef for maximum flavor. When browned, remove the beef and set it aside on a plate.

In the same pot, toss in the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté these veggies until they become tender, stirring occasionally. This should take about five to seven minutes. The goal is to soften them, releasing their natural flavors into the oil left from the beef.

Now, return the beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth and water, giving everything a good stir. Add the potatoes, green beans, peas, and diced tomatoes. For a bit of complexity, mix in the Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary. Bring the whole pot to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. This slow cooking will tenderize the beef and meld the flavors. You're looking at about 1.5 to 2 hours of simmering.

Before serving, taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Stir in the fresh parsley right before ladling it into bowls. It adds a fresh, vibrant note to the hearty stew.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Perfect blend of tender beef and fresh vegetables.
  • Easy to prepare with a big payoff in flavor.
  • Great for meal prep — it tastes even better the next day!
  • Flexible ingredients to suit your pantry or taste.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs beef chuck, cubed
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 carrots, sliced
3 celery stalks, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
2 cups water
2 large potatoes, cubed
1 cup green beans, trimmed and halved
1 cup peas
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add beef and cook until browned on all sides.
2. Remove beef and set aside. In the same pot, add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic; sauté until vegetables are tender.
3. Return beef to the pot and add beef broth, water, potatoes, green beans, peas, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until beef is tender.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in fresh parsley before serving.

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