Beef Stew with Carrots and Potatoes Recipe
A hearty and comforting Beef Stew with tender chunks of chuck beef, flavorful carrots, and potatoes, slow-cooked in a rich red wine and beef broth sauce. This classic dish is perfect for warming up on a cold day and is served best with fresh parsley and crusty baguette.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Stew
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Beef and Seasoning
- 2.5 lb chuck beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery sticks, diced
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- 3–4 medium carrots, sliced on an angle about 0.5 inch
- 2–3 cups potatoes, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- Fresh parsley, for topping
Liquids and Flavorings
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp beef base
- 1 cup red wine (Merlot recommended)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Herbs and Spices
- 2 bay leaves
- Few sprigs of fresh thyme
For Serving
- Prep the Beef: Cut the chuck beef into approximately 1-inch cubes, trimming off excess fat but leaving some for flavor and moisture during cooking.
- Season the Beef: In a bowl, combine the beef with flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss until each piece is evenly coated.
- Prepare Vegetables: Dice the onion and celery, and mince the garlic cloves to have them ready for sautéing.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 320°F (160°C) to prepare for slow cooking the stew.
- Sear the Beef: Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat with enough oil to coat the bottom. Add the beef in batches without overcrowding. Do not stir; let the beef develop a golden crust before turning to sear the other side. Remove and set aside once browned.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add the diced onion, celery, and minced garlic. Cook for a few minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add Tomato Paste and Beef Base: Stir in the tomato paste and beef base, cooking for a couple of minutes to deepen flavors.
- Deglaze with Red Wine: Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits. Bring to a simmer to cook off the alcohol and blend flavors.
- Add Broth and Herbs: Pour in beef broth, return the seared beef to the pot, then add Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and thyme. Stir well to combine.
- Braise in Oven: Cover the pot and place it on the lower rack of the preheated oven. Cook for 1.5 hours to tenderize the beef.
- Add Vegetables: After 1.5 hours, add the chopped potatoes and carrots to the stew. Mix well, cover, and return the pot to the oven for another hour to cook the vegetables through.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the stew from the oven, discard bay leaves, taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley and accompanied by warm baguette slices.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the pan when searing the beef to ensure it browns properly instead of steaming.
- Using chuck beef is ideal for stew as it becomes tender and flavorful when slow-cooked.
- Red wine adds depth; Merlot is a great choice but any dry red wine will work.
- If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mash some of the potatoes after cooking or simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce liquid.
- Fresh herbs like thyme can be tied together for easy removal before serving.
- Adjust salt and pepper towards the end to prevent over-seasoning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1⅓ cups)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: beef stew, chuck beef stew, slow-cooked stew, hearty beef stew, winter stew, comfort food