🥩🥔 Classic Beef and Potato Stew

Beef and Potato Stew is a hearty, comforting one-pot meal made with tender chunks of beef, creamy potatoes, carrots, onions, and a rich savory broth. Slow simmering creates melt-in-your-mouth beef and deep, cozy flavors—perfect for family dinners and chilly days.

Prep Time

• Prep: 25 minutes
• Cook: 2–3 hours
• Total: About 3 hours

Servings

6–8 servings

Ingredients

Beef Stew

• 2½ lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1½-inch cubes
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional, or extra broth)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves

Vegetables

• 5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 cup peas (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare and Brown the Beef

1. Pat beef dry with paper towels.
2. Toss beef cubes with flour, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven.
4. Brown beef in batches for 2–3 minutes per side.
5. Remove and set aside.

2. Build the Stew Base

1. Add onions to the pot and cook for 5 minutes.
2. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add broth, wine, and Worcestershire sauce.
5. Scrape up browned bits from the bottom.

3. Simmer the Stew

1. Return beef to the pot.
2. Add thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
3. Bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Cover and cook for 1½–2 hours until beef begins to soften.

4. Add Vegetables

1. Add potatoes, carrots, and celery.
2. Continue cooking for 30–45 minutes until vegetables are tender.
3. Stir in peas during the last few minutes if using.

5. Finish and Serve

• Remove bay leaves.
• Adjust seasoning.
• Serve hot with crusty bread.

Serving Suggestions

• 🥖 Warm bread or dinner rolls
• 🥗 Simple green salad
• 🍚 Buttered rice
• 🥔 Mashed potatoes (for extra comfort)

Variations

🍄 Mushroom Beef Stew

Add:

• Sliced mushrooms
• Extra thyme

🌶 Spicy Beef Stew

Add:

• Chili flakes
• Smoked paprika
• Hot peppers

🥕 Slow Cooker Version

1. Brown beef first.
2. Add all ingredients except potatoes.
3. Cook LOW 7–8 hours.
4. Add potatoes during the last 2 hours.

Tips for Tender Beef Stew

• Use chuck roast for the best texture.
• Brown the beef well before simmering for richer flavor.
• Cook low and slow—rushing makes beef tough.
• Stew tastes even better the next day after the flavors deepen.