Easy Beef Stew

Today we are making Beef Stew. Many people consider this dish the ultimate comfort food for cold, wintery days. Beef stew features a rich gravy, hearty root vegetables, and tender, thick beef. It is easy to put this recipe on repeat and enjoy it often.

Now imagine this: It’s a cold day, and you want to enjoy a meal without spending a ton of time in the kitchen, then you are in luck. This beef stew recipe comes together in 60 minutes, and it’s packed with flavour. Using my tips and tricks, you will have a delicious meal in the shortest time.

What are the best cuts of beef to use for Beef Stew?

This recipe is often made with the toughest pieces of meat, such as beef chuck. However, you can also use beef shank, which will release that gelatinous collagen into the gravy, making the flavour of the stew out of this world. Beef oxtail will also work for this recipe. Many chefs use a combination of beef chuck and oxtail to create the most decadent, beefiest sauce imaginable. Avoid sirloin and tenderloin; the potatoes and carrots need time to cook, and those cuts lack enough fat and connective tissue to produce a rich, hearty gravy.

The historical origin of Beef Stew

Beef stew has ancient roots; humans have been simmering meat in liquid ever since the invention of pottery. There is evidence of stew-like dishes that date back to the Sumerians and the Scythians. They used animal hides as makeshift pots to boil meat over fire.

What you Need to Make Beef Stew?

Cumin Powder, Smoked paprika, White pepper powder, and Beef Stock Cubes, Garlic Cloves, Onion, Carrots, Potatoes, Beef Chuck, Dried Thyme, Rosemary, Basil, Worcestershire Sauce, and Oyster Sauce.

This recipe uses warm spices such as Cumin and Smoked Paprika to give the beef stew bold, robust flavours. The Beef stock cube adds a beefy flavour. The Garlic cloves and Onions add sweetness.

The Carrots and Potatoes make the stew thick and brimming with flavour. The spices are minimal and rely on simple ingredients such as Dried thyme, Rosemary, and basil, along with Worcestershire sauce and oyster sauce, to give this stew an edge and accentuate the flavours in a short time.

Instructions

Add cooking oil to a pot. Cut the beef into small cubes to lessen the cooking time. Start by browning your beef cubes in a pot. As the beef cooks, it will release loads of flavour, which will form the base of your beef stew.

Let the beef simmer & sizzle until it has browned. After your beef has cooked, scoop it out and set it aside. Add cooking oil to the pot and throw in the sliced onions and minced garlic cloves. Caramelize your onion & garlic; this step will take six to eight minutes. Add the spices, including smoked paprika, cumin powder, and white pepper, to the onions and mix well.

Add the beef back to the pot and mix well. Add the oyster sauce and flour, and mix well. The key is to add the flour one tablespoon at a time, mix, and repeat. Add water.

Add 900 ml of water and the potatoes and carrots. Add the Basil. Add the thyme, rosemary, and beef Stock cubes. Add tomato paste. Add only a pinch of salt for now, as the beef stock contains salt. You can taste and adjust the seasoning later if needed.

You must cook the beef stew on medium-high heat for 50 minutes. It has to be a rolling boil, and you have to stir it every 10 minutes. After 50 minutes, lower the heat to medium-low heat, and you have to still stir until complete!

The dish is incredibly hearty, and the flavour is rich and intense. Be sure to check the salt and adjust as needed.

Expert tips

For the best cut of beef for stew, choose meat with marbling and connective tissue. Consider using a chuck roast or a brisket. All-purpose flour is a good option for thickening the stew. You can also use corn starch.

Add it in small amounts so that it does not clump up. You can also use mashed potatoes as a healthier option. Beef stew can be made ahead of time; the longer it sits in your fridge, the more flavourful it will be. When it comes to how long beef stew should cook? This will depend on the size of your beef. Larger beef chunks will take 1.5 to 2 hours.

What to Serve with Beef Stew?

Beef Stew is a versatile recipe and is considered one of the most satisfying comfort foods in the world. There are so many different side dishes that will pair well with beef stew. It can be devoured with garlic bread, garlic naan, Jasmine rice, or Creamy mashed potatoes.

How to Store Beef Stew?

Store in the refrigerator for three to four days. If you choose to freeze beef stew, it is recommended that you remove the potatoes. Beef stew without potatoes can be frozen for three months. Reheat on the stove or in the refrigerator.