Best 3 The Ultimate Beef Stew Recipes

**Discover the Hearty Delight of Classic Beef Stew: A Culinary Journey Through Comfort and Flavor**

As the weather turns chilly, there's nothing quite like a hearty and comforting bowl of beef stew to warm the soul. Originating from humble beginnings, beef stew has evolved into a culinary masterpiece, celebrated for its rich flavors and tender, succulent meat. This versatile dish can be personalized with a variety of ingredients and cooking techniques, resulting in a symphony of tastes and textures that cater to every palate. Whether you prefer a classic approach or a modern twist, our collection of beef stew recipes offers an exploration of this timeless comfort food. From traditional slow-cooked stews to quick and easy one-pot wonders, our recipes are carefully curated to guide you through the art of creating a perfect beef stew. With detailed instructions and helpful tips, we'll take you on a culinary journey that promises to satisfy your cravings and leave you yearning for more. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's embark on this delicious adventure together.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

ULTIMATE BEEF STEW

Ultimate Beef Stew image

Ina Garten couldn't possibly have known when she started working on her latest cookbook how much we'd all need comfort food right now. She came up with the concept for Modern Comfort Food more than two years ago, figuring the book would arrive just before the presidential election and that we might be a bit stressed. "Little did I know that 2020 would bring so much more," she says. "Right now I think we just want really simple comforting foods that make us feel good." In many ways, the book seems meant to be. "It was the easiest one I've ever written. I tend to gravitate toward comfort food anyway, and I found that the book just flowed in a way I don't ever remember." Many of the recipes are the culmination of years of experimentation and taste memories. This beef stew was inspired by the takeout stews Ina and Jeffrey ate in their tent when they camped outside Paris in the spring and summer of 1971. "Over the years I learned a lot about what makes beef stew really delicious," she says. "A nice red wine, short ribs instead of chuck. It's a classic recipe, just done in a more modern way."

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories main-dish

Time 3h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

3 tablespoons good olive oil
4 ounces small-diced pancetta
3 pounds boneless short ribs, cut in 1 1/2-inch chunks (4 1/2 pounds on the bone)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup Cognac or brandy
1 cup hearty red wine, such as a Côtes du Rhône or Chianti, divided
2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
2 cups chopped fennel, trimmed and cored (1 large bulb)
2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, including the juices
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cups beef broth, such as College Inn
1 pound carrots, scrubbed and cut 1/2 inch thick diagonally
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed, 1-inch diced
10 ounces frozen peas

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 300˚ F.
Heat the oil in a large (11- to 12-inch) Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until browned. With a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a plate lined with a paper towel and set aside.
Meanwhile, season the short ribs all over with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Brown half the meat in the Dutch oven over medium heat, turning occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, until browned on all sides. Transfer the meat to a bowl and brown the second batch. (Don't cook them all in one batch or they won't brown!) Transfer the second batch to the bowl and set aside.
Off the heat, add the Cognac and 1/3 cup of the wine to the pot, scraping up any browned bits, then simmer over medium heat for one minute. Add the onions and fennel and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
Stir the tomatoes and tomato paste into the vegetables. Add the remaining 2/3 cup of wine, the beef broth, the seared meat (and juices), 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover and bake for 1 1/4 hours, checking occasionally to be sure the liquid is simmering.
Degrease the stew, if necessary. Stir in the carrots and potatoes, cover and bake for one hour longer, until the vegetables and meat are very tender when tested with a fork. Just before serving, stir in the peas and pancetta, taste for seasonings and serve hot in large, shallow bowls.

THE BEST BEEF STEW

The Best Beef Stew image

Our stew has tons of flavor thanks to the herbs, red wine and balsamic vinegar. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 2h30m

Yield 6 servings (2-1/4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon canola oil
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons herbes de Provence
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups dry red wine
2 cups beef broth
1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary, divided
2 bay leaves
3 cups cubed peeled potatoes
3 cups coarsely chopped onions (about 2 large)
2 cups sliced carrots
2 tablespoons cold water
2 tablespoons balsamic or red wine vinegar
1 cup fresh or frozen peas
Additional fresh rosemary, optional

Steps:

In a small bowl, toss beef and 1/4 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, combine 4 tablespoons flour and paprika. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and toss to coat. , In a Dutch oven, brown beef in oil over medium heat. Stir in tomato paste, herbes de Provence and garlic; cook until fragrant and color starts to darken slightly. Add wine; cook until mixture just comes to a boil. Simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Stir in broth, 1 teaspoon rosemary and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until meat is almost tender, about 1-1/2 hours., Add potatoes, onions and carrots. Cover; simmer until meat and vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes longer., Discard bay leaves. In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 2 tablespoon flour. Add cold water and vinegar; stir until smooth. Stir into stew. Bring to a boil; add peas. Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 2 minutes. If desired, top with additional fresh rosemary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 366 calories, Fat 11g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 71mg cholesterol, Sodium 605mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

THE ULTIMATE BEEF STEW

The Ultimate Beef Stew image

Make and share this The Ultimate Beef Stew recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Eric R.

Categories Stew

Time 3h30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, for frying, plus more to drizzle
3 tablespoons butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 lbs pot roast, cut into 2-inch pieces (this cut is also called chuck shoulder pot roast and chuck roast boneless)
sea salt
ground black pepper
3/4 ml dry red wine (recommended ( Burgundy)
8 fresh thyme sprigs
6 garlic cloves, smashed
1 orange, zest removed in 3 (1-inch)
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 bay leaves
2 1/2 cups beef stock
9 small new potatoes, scrubbed clean and cut in 1/2
1/2 lb carrot, peeled and sliced
2 cups frozen pearl onions, a large handful
1 lb white mushroom, cut in 1/2
1/2 lb peas

Steps:

Preheat a large heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat with the oil and butter.
While the pan is heating, arrange the flour on a large dish. Season the cubed beef with some salt and freshly ground black pepper and then toss in the flour to coat. Shake off the excess flour and add the beef chunks in a single layer to the hot pan, being careful not to over crowd the pan, you might have to work in batches. Thoroughly brown all of the cubes on all sides. Once all the meat has been browned remove it to a plate and reserve.
Add the wine to the pan and bring up to a simmer while you scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon being sure to loosen up all those tasty bits. Once the wine has gotten hot add the browned meat, thyme, smashed garlic, orange zest strip, ground cloves, freshly ground black pepper and salt, to taste, bay leaves and beef stock. Bring the mixture up to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered until the liquids start to thicken, about 15 to 20 minutes. Cover and cook on low heat for 2 1/2 hours.
After 2 hours add halved potatoes, sliced carrots, pearl onions and mushrooms, along with a pinch of sugar to balance out the acid from the red wine. Turn the heat up slightly and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes more, until the vegetables and meat are tender. Add the frozen peas during the last minute of cooking. Season with salt and pepper and remove the thyme sprigs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1679.9, Fat 86.6, SaturatedFat 33.1, Cholesterol 254.2, Sodium 823.3, Carbohydrate 138, Fiber 16.9, Sugar 14.1, Protein 86.6

Tips:

For the best flavor, use a combination of beef chuck roast and short ribs.
Brown the beef in batches to get a good sear and prevent the meat from stewing.
Use a heavy pot or Dutch oven to evenly distribute the heat and prevent the stew from burning.
Add a variety of vegetables to the stew, such as carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes.
Use a good quality red wine for the stew, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.
Let the stew simmer for at least 2 hours, or until the meat is fall-apart tender.
Serve the stew with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.

Conclusion:

This classic beef stew recipe is sure to please everyone at your table. With its tender beef, flavorful vegetables, and rich gravy, it's the perfect comfort food for a cold winter day. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed.