
Grandma’s Secret Beef Stew Recipe
Nothing says comfort food quite like a bubbling pot of hearty beef stew. Chunks of beef chuck are seared until deeply browned, then simmered low and slow with root vegetables until everything is fork-tender. The secret is searing the beef properly and deglazing with red wine for an incredibly rich, savory broth.
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup red wine
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 medium Yukon gold potatoes, cubed
- 3 large carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Sear the Beef
Toss beef cubes in flour, salt, and pepper. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over high heat. Sear beef in batches until deeply browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Build the Base
Sauté onion and celery 4 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste, cook 1 minute. Deglaze with red wine, scraping up browned bits. Add broth, Worcestershire, thyme, and bay leaves.
Step 3: Simmer
Return beef to pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Cover and cook for 1.5 hours. Add potatoes and carrots, cook another 30-45 minutes until vegetables are tender.
Step 4: Finish
Add frozen peas in the last 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning. Serve with crusty bread.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Calories | 445 kcal |
| Protein | 38g |
| Fat | 16g |
| Carbs | 34g |
| Prep Time | 20 min |
| Cook Time | 2.5 hours |
| Servings | 6 |
