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A hearty and comforting classic, this old-fashioned beef stew is slow-simmered to tender perfection. Loaded with chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and a rich, savory broth, it’s the ultimate cozy dish for chilly evenings.

🍴 Ingredients

• 2½ lbs beef chuck, cut into 1½-inch cubes
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour (plus more for dredging)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup dry red wine (optional)
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
• 3 Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas (added at the end)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

🔥 Instructions

Brown the Beef:
Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper, then lightly dredge in flour. In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding. Set aside.

Sauté the Aromatics:
In the same pot, add a touch more oil if needed and sauté the onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook for another minute to build flavor.

Deglaze and Build the Base:
Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for a minute or two, then add the beef broth, thyme, bay leaf, and return the beef to the pot.

Simmer Gently:
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let the stew simmer gently for about 1½ hours, or until the beef is just tender.

Add the Veggies:
Add carrots, potatoes, and celery to the pot. Cover and cook for an additional 30–40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the stew has thickened slightly.

Finish and Serve:
Stir in the peas and simmer for 5 more minutes. Discard the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and crusty bread on the side.

📦 Amazon Must-Haves to Help You Create the Best Old-Fashioned Beef Stew

• 🍳 Dutch Oven — A heavy-duty Dutch oven retains heat beautifully and is perfect for slow-simmered stews.
• 🔪 Chef’s Knife — Essential for slicing beef and chopping vegetables with precision and ease.
• 🥄 Wooden Spoon Set — Perfect for stirring without damaging your pot’s surface.
• 🍷 Red Cooking Wine — Adds depth and richness to your stew with a subtle acidic touch.

💡 Helpful Tip: For even more flavor, make this stew a day ahead. The flavors deepen and meld overnight, making leftovers even more delicious!