Nothing compares to the cozy comfort of classic Beef Stew. Tender morsels of beef practically melt in your mouth, and the combination of vegetables and beef infuse the dish with incredible flavor as they simmer together in a rich broth.
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Beef is naturally juicy and adds so much flavor to dishes like our Chili Recipe, and of course Meatloaf. If you let it cook low and slow, it becomes wonderfully tender and so satisfying. All you need with this are soft Dinner Rolls our a slice of Sourdough Bread to soak up the rich beef stew broth and it’s a one-pot meal.
The Best Beef Stew RecipeWhen the stew is slow-cooked, the beef becomes meltingly tender and full of flavor. We also love to add mushrooms and bacon which add a rich depth of flavor to make this the best beef stew we’ve ever tried.
Beef stew is a very hearty soup with a blend of beef and humble vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onion in a richly flavored wine and tomato broth. This hearty beef stew is every bit as good as its cousin, the famous beef bourguignon, and Lamb Stew. We love beef stew so much that we even have a Slow Cooker Beef Stew.
Beef Stew Video
You can do this! Homemade beef stew takes some time to make because it needs to slow roast in the oven but it is simple to prepare. One bite and you’ll realize why this beef stew is one of our most popular recipes.
Ingredients for Beef StewThese are the ingredients often used in beef stew. They aren’t overly complicated, but the flavors work together so well.

Beef – you can use beef stew meat or cut up your own beef chuck roast or other well-marbled steaks.

Bacon – center cut is always my favorite cut of bacon. It adds a wonderful richness and a salty bite to the stew.

All-purpose flour – used to dredge the beef and to thicken if desired

Red wine – use a drinkable red wine and avoid anything labeled “cooking wine” (see below for our list of recommended wines for cooking)

Mushrooms – use brown or white mushrooms, thickly sliced

Carrots, Onions, and Garlic – the aromatics which release a fragrant aroma and add flavor when cooked. Lately I’ve also been adding celery, which adds a bit of sweetness.

Tomato Paste – adds acidity to balance the broth

Beef Broth – you can use beef bone broth, beef stock, or even substitute with chicken stock

Bay leaves and thyme – these simple seasonings round out the flavors of the soup

Potatoes – new potatoes or fingerling potatoes make the soup look extra fancy but you can dice up and add waxy potatoes such as yukon gold or red potatoes. What is Stew Meat?Beef stew meat is a great choice for your next meal – it’s made up of tender pieces of beef, ranging from filet mignon and prime rib to trimmings from steaks that may have been too large for their packages. I’ve even spotted pieces of filet mignon and prime rib in my packs! Not only is it reasonably priced, but it’s also incredibly versatile.

We love stew meat recipes such as Instant Pot Rice and Beef and Rice Soup. If you aren’t able to find stew meat, another good option is boneless beef chuck which you can buy and cut into bite-size pieces yourself.
The Best Red Wine for CookingThe wine adds so much flavor to this classic beef stew. For most cooking, dry red wine is best. Avoid anything labeled “cooking wine” since it usually has additives that will affect the flavor of your stew. A good rule of thumb is that you should not cook with it if you can’t drink it. Some good red wine options include:

Pinot Noir

Merlot

Cabernet Sauvignon

Soft Red by Ste Chapelle (our favorite local brand)How to Make Beef StewHere is a quick visual reference of how to make beef stew, but be sure to watch the full video tutorial above, and you’ll see just how easy it is to make Beef Stew.

Brown the bacon in a large, dutch oven or oven-safe pot, then transfer the bacon to a plate, leaving the bacon grease in the pot

Season beef in a separate bowl with salt and pepper then toss with flour. Sautee beef over medium-high heat in 2 batches, adding more oil as needed. Cook in batches to get a good sear.

Add red wine and scrape to deglaze the pot. Add mushrooms and cook over medium heat 10 minutes.

Sautee Vegetables – In a large skillet over medium/high heat, add oil, carrots, onions, celery if using, and garlic, then sautee until softened. Stir in tomato paste and transfer the veggies to the pot.

Combine and bake – Return Beef and bacon to the pot. Add beef broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and potatoes. Stir to combine and make sure the potatoes are submerged. COVER and bake at 325˚F for 1 hour and 45 min. Pro Tip:Make sure to use a tight-fitting lid so you don’t lose too much steam while the pot is in the oven. We love cooking beef stew in a dutch oven since it has an ideal heavy lid.

For a Healthier Stew:You can tilt the pot after it comes out of the oven to allow the liquid to pool to one side, then skim off and discard any excess fat with a spoon.
How to Thicken Beef Stew?Tossing the beef in flour and the natural starch from the potatoes will make the sauce slightly thicker than a typical soup base, but it’s also not as thick as gravy.
If you prefer a thicker stew, melt 2 Tbsp butter and stir in 2 Tbsp flour to make a paste. Once the stew is out of the oven, place it on the stove, add the paste a little at a time (to reach desired consistency), bring it back to a boil for a few minutes to thicken and cook the flour.
Can I Cook Beef Stew on the Stovetop?You can finish your stew on the stovetop instead of the oven. Be sure to use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven and keep it at a low simmer and stir occasionally to make sure you don’t scorch the bottom. It should take about 1 1/2 hours on the stovetop or until your beef reaches the desired tenderness.
Serve Beef Stew withSince stew is a meal in itself, loaded with beef and vegetables in a rich broth, we love to serve it with simple sides:

Biscuits – fluffy biscuits are great for soaking up the tasty broth

Creamy Mashed Potatoes – the stew is almost a light gravy with potatoes.

White Rice – a tasty neutral base that makes it a filling meal

Egg Noodles – buttery noodles and especially homemade pasta is delicious with the broth.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes – so comforting in the cooler months

Beet Arugula Salad – we love a fresh green salad with stew

Caesar Salad – with the best homemade dressingNow go forth and conquer this classic homemade beef stew! There’s nothing quite like curling up with a bowl of steamy, hearty stew in the colder months.

Make-AheadBefore storing your beef stew, allow it to cool to room temperature.

To cool your soup quickly: Make an ice water bath in the sink or a larger bowl and set the pot over ice water. Stir occasionally to cool it down even faster.

Refrigerating: Store in a covered pot or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 days.

Freezing: Divide the soup into freezer-safe zip-top bags, leaving some room for expansion. Remove any excess air and freeze up to 3 months.

Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or you can reheat from frozen on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot and 165˚F according to the USDA. More Beef Recipes for DinnerBeef is naturally one of the most flavorful meats, and there are so many ways to prepare it, from ground beef perfect for Taco Salad to Beef Tenderloin. You’ll love these easy, family-friendly beef dinner ideas:

Beef Stroganoff – in mushroom cream sauce

Lasagna – classic with a beefy sauce

Baked Ziti – cheesy pasta bake

Salisbury Steak – with a gravy sauce

Roast Beef – so tender with the best gravy

Mississippi Pot Roast – slow cooker favorite

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