Description
Hearty Beef and Vegetable Stew combining tender beef chunks, vibrant vegetables, and rich, savory seasonings, simmered slowly to create a comforting, nourishing meal perfect for cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into even chunks
Vegetables
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Sauces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (natural)
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup grape juice
Herbs and Seasonings
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon thyme (fresh or dried)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Thickening
- 1 tablespoon natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Preparing the Ingredients: Start by cutting the beef into even chunks to ensure they cook uniformly and become tender. Peel and chop carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery into bite-sized pieces that will hold their shape during slow cooking.
- Browning the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the beef chunks on all sides until a crust forms, locking in the juices and creating a rich base flavor for the stew.
- Sautéing the Vegetables: Remove the browned beef and in the same pot, add onions, garlic, celery, and carrots. Cook until the onions turn translucent and the vegetables start to soften, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Building the Stew: Return the beef to the pot along with potatoes, tomato paste (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, grape juice, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together to combine flavors fully.
- Simmering to Perfection: Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat and cover the pot with a lid. Let the stew simmer gently for at least 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- Thickening the Broth: About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle in a small amount of natural gelling agent and stir well. This will thicken the stew’s broth to a comforting, spoon-coating consistency.
Notes
- Patience is key: Slow cooking allows flavors to meld and beef to become tender.
- Brown the beef well: This step adds deep flavor through caramelization and color.
- Use fresh herbs: Fresh thyme or bay leaves greatly enhance the aromatic profile.
- Balance seasoning: Taste frequently near the end to adjust salt and pepper perfectly.
- Ditch the rush: Allow the stew to rest after cooking; the flavors develop even more beautifully.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 7g
- 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, hearty stew, comforting meal, slow cooked stew, gluten free stew
