Old-Fashioned Beef Stew – Hearty, Comforting, and Timeless

Old-Fashioned Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food — warm, filling, and full of deep, savory flavor. Tender chunks of beef simmer slowly with potatoes, carrots, and onions in a rich, flavorful broth until everything becomes melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table, especially on a chilly evening when you crave something cozy and satisfying.

This stew captures all the nostalgic charm of a classic home-cooked dinner — simple ingredients, slow-cooked perfection, and that unmistakable aroma of love simmering on the stove.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Classic Comfort Food: Rich, hearty, and deeply flavorful.
Tender, Slow-Cooked Beef: Every bite melts in your mouth.
Wholesome Ingredients: Simple, nourishing, and satisfying.
Perfect for Leftovers: Even better the next day.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs lean beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 large carrots, sliced
  • 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 cup frozen peas (optional, added at the end)
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Brown the Beef
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Toss beef cubes in flour, shaking off excess, then brown on all sides until golden. Remove and set aside.

2. Sauté the Aromatics
Add chopped onion and garlic to the pot, cooking until fragrant and lightly golden.

3. Build the Broth
Return the beef to the pot. Add beef broth, water, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir well to combine.

4. Simmer Low & Slow
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the beef begins to soften.

5. Add the Vegetables
Stir in carrots, potatoes, and celery. Continue simmering for another 45–60 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and beef is fork-tender.

6. Finish & Serve
Remove bay leaves. Stir in peas (if using) and simmer for 5 more minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 320
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fat: 10g
Protein: 30g
Fiber: 4g

Tips for Success

Brown the Beef Well: Adds a rich, deep flavor to the stew base.
Low & Slow Cooking: Patience is key — this ensures tender meat.
Thicken Naturally: As the potatoes cook, they help thicken the broth perfectly.
Make Ahead: The flavor deepens overnight — perfect for meal prep or leftovers.

Why This Recipe Works

This old-fashioned recipe relies on slow cooking to develop layers of rich, hearty flavor. The combination of beef, vegetables, and savory broth creates a balanced, nourishing dish that tastes like something straight from grandma’s kitchen. Every spoonful delivers comfort, warmth, and a touch of nostalgia.

Old-Fashioned Beef Stew is a timeless classic that never fails to satisfy. It’s simple, wholesome, and packed with flavor — the kind of meal that makes a cold day feel cozy and complete. Serve it with warm bread or a side salad for the perfect hearty dinner that everyone will love.

Old-Fashioned Beef Stew – Hearty, Comforting, and Timeless

Servings

6

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

2

hours 
Calories

320

kcal
Total time

2

hours 

20

minutes

Old-Fashioned Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food — warm, filling, and full of deep, savory flavor. Tender chunks of beef simmer slowly with potatoes, carrots, and onions in a rich, flavorful broth until everything becomes melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table, especially on a chilly evening when you crave something cozy and satisfying.
This stew captures all the nostalgic charm of a classic home-cooked dinner — simple ingredients, slow-cooked perfection, and that unmistakable aroma of love simmering on the stove.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs lean beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 tbsp tomato paste

  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

  • ½ tsp black pepper

  • 1 tsp dried thyme

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 3 large carrots, sliced

  • 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed

  • 2 celery stalks, chopped

  • 1 cup frozen peas (optional, added at the end)

  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  • Brown the Beef
    In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Toss beef cubes in flour, shaking off excess, then brown on all sides until golden. Remove and set aside.
  • Sauté the Aromatics
    Add chopped onion and garlic to the pot, cooking until fragrant and lightly golden.
  • Build the Broth
    Return the beef to the pot. Add beef broth, water, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir well to combine.
  • Simmer Low & Slow
    Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the beef begins to soften.
  • Add the Vegetables
    Stir in carrots, potatoes, and celery. Continue simmering for another 45–60 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and beef is fork-tender.
  • Finish & Serve
    Remove bay leaves. Stir in peas (if using) and simmer for 5 more minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Brown the Beef Well: Adds a rich, deep flavor to the stew base.
    Low & Slow Cooking: Patience is key — this ensures tender meat.
    Thicken Naturally: As the potatoes cook, they help thicken the broth perfectly.
    Make Ahead: The flavor deepens overnight — perfect for meal prep or leftovers.

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