Best 4 Light And Bright Beef Stew Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary journey with our delightful beef stew recipes, crafted to tantalize your taste buds and warm your soul. From classic comfort food to innovative flavor fusions, our comprehensive guide offers a range of options to suit every palate. Discover the timeless allure of traditional beef stew, slow-cooked to perfection with tender morsels of beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich, savory broth. Embark on an exotic adventure with our Moroccan-spiced beef stew, where aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika dance in harmony with succulent beef and tender vegetables. Experience the vibrant flavors of Mexican beef stew, where juicy beef simmers in a zesty tomato-based sauce, complemented by colorful bell peppers, corn, and black beans. For a lighter twist, our Mediterranean beef stew showcases the freshness of sun-ripened tomatoes, briny olives, and tangy feta cheese, all harmoniously blended with tender beef and aromatic herbs. Whichever recipe you choose, prepare to savor a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

LIGHT AND BRIGHT BEEF STEW



Light and Bright Beef Stew image

With leeks, parsnips, dill, and white wine rather than red, this is not your typical beef stew. It's fresher and brighter and altogether brothier, an early spring recipe that's still comfort food but just right for shoulder season when the promise of warmer days is right around the corner.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Beef Recipes

Time 3h25m

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 pounds beef chuck (preferably grass-fed), cut into 2-inch pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Unbleached all-purpose flour, for dusting
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 leeks, white and light green parts only, chopped and rinsed
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup dry white wine
3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 parsnips (8 ounces), peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
2 sweet potatoes (1 pound), peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
Chopped fresh dill, for serving

Steps:

  • Generously season beef with salt and pepper. Dust with flour and shake off excess. Heat a Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high, and swirl in 2 tablespoons oil.
  • Add half of beef in a single layer and cook, turning a few times, until browned in places, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate, leaving fat in pot. Brown remaining beef; transfer to plate.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Swirl remaining 1 tablespoon oil into pot, still over medium-high heat. Add leeks and thyme and cook until leeks are golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add Worcestershire sauce and wine; boil until mostly evaporated.
  • Return beef and any accumulated juices to pot along with broth. Bring to a boil. Cover pot, transfer to oven, and cook 1 1/2 hours. Remove pot from oven and stir parsnips and sweet potatoes into stew. Cover and continue cooking in oven until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are easily pierced with the tip of a knife, about 1 hour.
  • Ladle stew into shallow bowls, sprinkle with dill, and serve. Cooled stew can be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated up to 2 days, or frozen up to 3 months.

WINTERTIME BRAISED BEEF STEW



Wintertime Braised Beef Stew image

This easy beef stew is incredibly rich. Since it's even better a day or two later, you may want to make a double batch. -Michaela Rosenthal, Woodland Hills, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 2h40m

Yield 8 servings (2 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 pounds boneless beef sirloin steak or chuck roast, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons Montreal steak seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 large onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup dry red wine or reduced-sodium beef broth
2 tablespoons red currant jelly
2 bay leaves
2 fresh oregano sprigs
1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
Minced fresh parsley, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Toss beef with flour and steak seasoning., In an ovenproof Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Brown beef in batches; remove with a slotted spoon., In same pan, heat remaining oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, parsnips and carrots; cook and stir until onion is tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in tomatoes, wine, jelly, bay leaves, oregano and beef; bring to a boil., Bake, covered, 1-1/2 hours. Stir in beans; bake, covered, 30-40 minutes longer or until beef and vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaves and oregano sprigs. If desired, sprinkle with parsley. Freeze option: Freeze cooled stew in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth or water if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 310 calories, Fat 9g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 64mg cholesterol, Sodium 373mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

OLD-FASHIONED BEEF STEW



Old-Fashioned Beef Stew image

This classic stick-to-your-ribs stew is the ideal project for a chilly weekend. Beef, onion, carrots, potatoes and red wine come together in cozy harmony. If you are feeding a crowd, good news: It doubles (or triples) beautifully.

Provided by Molly O'Neill

Categories     dinner, one pot, soups and stews, main course

Time 2h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 pound beef stewing meat, trimmed and cut into inch cubes
5 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 cup red wine
3 1/2 cups beef broth, homemade or low-sodium canned
2 bay leaves
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
5 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch rounds
2 large baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
2 teaspoons salt

Steps:

  • Combine the flour and pepper in a bowl, add the beef and toss to coat well. Heat 3 teaspoons of the oil in a large pot. Add the beef a few pieces at a time; do not overcrowd. Cook, turning the pieces until beef is browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch; add more oil as needed between batches.
  • Remove the beef from the pot and add the vinegar and wine. Cook over medium-high heat, scraping the pan with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Add the beef, beef broth and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a slow simmer.
  • Cover and cook, skimming broth from time to time, until the beef is tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Add the onions and carrots and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Add the potatoes and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes more. Add broth or water if the stew is dry. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle among 4 bowls and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 494, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 54 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 35 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 1604 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams

CLASSIC BEEF STEW



Classic Beef Stew image

Aromatic and satisfying, a comforting bowl of beef stew always hits the mark on extra chilly nights. Here, seared pieces of marbled beef simmer away until fall-apart-tender in broth, with punchy aromatics added to it like tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, red wine, and fire-roasted tomatoes for a subtle smokiness.

Provided by Greg Lofts

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Beef Recipes

Time 3h25m

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 pounds beef chuck (preferably grass-fed), cut into 2-inch pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Unbleached all-purpose flour, for dusting
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 ounces frozen pearl onions, thawed, drained, and patted dry
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
4 carrots (8 ounces), peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
3 Yukon Gold potatoes (1 pound), peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup frozen peas (optional)
Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving

Steps:

  • Generously season beef with salt and pepper. Dust with flour and shake off excess. Heat a Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high, and swirl in 2 tablespoons oil.
  • Add half of beef in a single layer and cook, turning a few times, until browned in places, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate, leaving fat in pot. Brown remaining beef; transfer to plate.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Swirl remaining 1 tablespoon oil into pot, still over medium-high heat. Cook onions until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently, until caramelized, 1 minute. Add Worcestershire sauce and wine; boil until mostly evaporated.
  • Return beef and any accumulated juices to pot with broth and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Cover pot, transfer to oven, and cook 1 1/2 hours. Remove pot from oven and stir carrots and potatoes into stew. Cover and continue cooking in oven until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are easily pierced with the tip of a knife, about 1 hour more. Stir in peas; return to oven for 5 minutes more, just to heat through.
  • Ladle stew into shallow bowls, sprinkle with parsley, and serve. Cooled stew can be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated up to 2 days, or frozen up to 3 months.

Tips:

  • Choose the right cut of beef: Chuck roast, topside, and blade steak are good options for beef stew.
  • Brown the beef before stewing: This will help to develop flavor and color.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: This will add flavor and texture to the stew. Good options include carrots, potatoes, celery, onions, garlic, and peas.
  • Use a good quality beef broth or stock: This will make a big difference to the flavor of the stew.
  • Season the stew well: Use salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices to taste.
  • Simmer the stew for at least 1 hour: This will allow the flavors to meld and the beef to become tender.
  • Serve the stew with a side of mashed potatoes, rice, or bread: This will help to soak up the delicious sauce.

Conclusion:

Beef stew is a classic comfort food that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is a hearty and flavorful dish that is easy to make. By following these tips, you can make a delicious beef stew that your family and friends will love.

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