This recipe creates a delicious and comforting Old-Fashioned Beef Stew, perfect for a cozy meal. Packed with tender beef, colorful root vegetables, and a rich, savory broth, it’s a hearty dish that’s easy to prepare and deepens in flavor with time.
Old-Fashioned Beef Stew: A Classic Comfort Food
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
| Olive Oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Cubed Beef Stew Meat | 2 pounds |
| All-Purpose Flour | 2 tablespoons |
| Water | 4 cups |
| Beef Broth | 2 cups |
| Salt | 21 teaspoon |
| Ground Black Pepper | 21 teaspoon |
| Cubed Potatoes | 4 cups |
| Chopped Carrots | 2 cups |
| Dried Rosemary | 1 teaspoon |
| Fresh Corn Kernels (optional) | 1 cup |
| Fresh Green Beans, cut into 1-inch pieces (optional) | 1 cup |
| Chopped Turnip (optional) | 1 cup |
| Chopped Fresh Tomatoes (optional) | 2 cups |
How To Make Old-Fashioned Beef Stew: A Classic Comfort Food:
- Step 1: Brown the Beef for Rich Flavor: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pat the cubed beef stew meat dry with paper towels. In a bowl, toss the beef with the flour, salt, and pepper. Sear the beef in the hot oil until browned on all sides. Brown the meat in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which ensures a proper brown crust.
- Step 2: Building the Savory Broth: Once the beef is browned, pour in the water and beef broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot (deglazing) and incorporate them into the liquid. Bring the broth to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Adding the Hearty Vegetables: Add the cubed potatoes, chopped carrots, and dried rosemary to the pot. Add the optional chopped turnips or tomatoes at this point if you’re using them. Increase the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
- Step 4: Freshness Burst (Optional): If using fresh corn kernels and green beans, add them to the pot in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Step 5: Simmering for Perfection: Continue simmering the stew over low heat for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- Step 6: Seasoning and Enjoying: Taste the stew and adjust the seasonings with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the Old-Fashioned Beef Stew hot, spooned into bowls, with crusty bread for dipping.
