Description
Snuggle up with a warm bowl of Beef and Vegetable Stew, featuring tender, slow-cooked beef combined with fresh carrots, potatoes, celery, and aromatic herbs to create a rich, hearty, and comforting meal perfect for chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Broth
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 cups beef broth
Vegetables
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings and Flavorings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon natural gelling agent
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Cut the beef into 1-inch cubes. Peel and chop the carrots, potatoes, celery, and onions into bite-sized pieces. Mince garlic and set your herbs aside for easy access during cooking.
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes in batches and brown on all sides to seal in juices and add rich flavor to the stew.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, soften onions, garlic, celery, and carrots by stirring frequently until fragrant and slightly caramelized, building a flavorful base.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Return browned beef to the pot. Stir in tomato paste (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), beef broth, apple cider vinegar (natural), fresh thyme leaves, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and a pinch of natural gelling agent for perfect stew consistency.
- Simmer Low and Slow: Cover the pot and cook gently over low heat for 2 to 3 hours until the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender and vegetables absorb savory flavors.
- Add Potatoes and Finish Cooking: About 30 minutes before serving, add the potatoes so they cook through but remain intact. Adjust seasoning as needed and remove bay leaves before serving.
Notes
- Brown the beef thoroughly to create savory fond that enhances depth.
- Do not rush the simmering to allow full flavor melding and tender beef.
- Use fresh herbs for added brightness and freshness.
- Add potatoes late to control starchiness and prevent them from breaking down.
- Skim excess fat to keep stew light yet satisfying.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: beef stew, vegetable stew, comforting stew, slow-cooked beef, hearty meal, gluten free stew
