Name: Traditional Beef Stew
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Total time: 2 h 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 lbs chuck roast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 large yellow onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tbsp tomato paste; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 4 cups beef broth; 1 cup red wine (optional but recommended); 3 large carrots, sliced into thick rounds; 3 celery stalks, chopped; 4 medium Yukon gold potatoes, diced; 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 bay leaf; Salt and pepper, to taste

A bowl of Traditional Beef Stew brings the essence of comfort food right to your table. With fork-tender chunks of beef, hearty vegetables, and a broth that’s deeply savory and rich, this stew is the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out. It’s simple enough for a weeknight but special enough to serve for Sunday dinner.

Whether you’re cooking it low and slow on the stovetop or letting your oven do the magic, the depth of flavor comes from a blend of aromatic herbs, caramelized onions, and the right cut of beef. It’s the kind of recipe that only gets better the next day.

What Kind of Beef Should I Use for Stew?

Chuck roast is the classic choice for a reason. It has enough fat to stay juicy during long cooking and breaks down into tender bites. You can also use bottom round or stew meat, but chuck will give you the richest texture and flavor.

Ingredients for the Traditional Beef Stew

2 lbs chuck roast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp tomato paste
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups beef broth
1 cup red wine (optional but recommended)
3 large carrots, sliced into thick rounds
3 celery stalks, chopped
4 medium Yukon gold potatoes, diced
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper, to taste

How To Make the Traditional Beef Stew

Step 1: Sear the Beef

Pat beef cubes dry and season with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides. Set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

In the same pot, reduce heat to medium. Add more oil if needed, then sauté the onions until golden and softened. Stir in garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes.

Step 3: Build the Stew Base

Sprinkle flour over the onion mixture and stir until coated. Gradually whisk in beef broth and red wine, scraping up the browned bits at the bottom of the pot.

Step 4: Add the Veggies and Simmer

Return the beef to the pot along with carrots, celery, potatoes, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 2 to 2.5 hours, or until beef is fork-tender.

Step 5: Final Touch

Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Serving and Storing This Cozy Stew

Serve your stew piping hot with crusty bread, biscuits, or over mashed potatoes. It’s even more flavorful the next day, making it perfect for leftovers.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months—just leave out the potatoes if freezing, as they can become grainy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! After searing the beef and sautéing the onions and garlic, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.

What if I don’t want to use wine?

No problem—just replace the wine with more beef broth. You can also add a splash of balsamic vinegar for depth.

How do I thicken the stew?

The flour added early on should thicken it naturally. If it’s still too thin, simmer uncovered for the last 20 minutes or stir in a slurry of cornstarch and water.

Can I add other vegetables?

Yes! Try parsnips, turnips, or green beans added in the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Is it okay to skip browning the meat?

Technically yes, but browning adds deep flavor you won’t get otherwise. It’s worth the extra step.

Want More Dinner Comforts?

If you’re loving the depth and heartiness of this Traditional Beef Stew, try these other satisfying meals from my kitchen:

Creamy Garlic Chicken Breasts — tender chicken with a luscious sauce.
Marry Me Chicken Pasta — for the romantic comfort food lovers.
Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole — creamy, cheesy, and filling.
Giant Zucchini Parmesan — veggie-forward but totally indulgent.
Shipwreck Dinner — a nostalgic one-pan classic.

📌 Save this Traditional Beef Stew to your Pinterest dinner board so you can revisit it anytime.

And let me know how it went in the comments—did you toss in mushrooms or give it a spicy twist? Share your variations, tips, or questions. Cooking is always better when we do it together!

More recipes await over on my Pinterest: Nina Dishes on Pinterest.

Traditional Beef Stew

Author: Nina Klatten
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Print Recipe

Description

This Traditional Beef Stew is everything comfort food should be—hearty, savory, and slow-simmered to perfection. With chunks of tender beef, rich broth, and a medley of vegetables, it’s a satisfying meal for chilly nights or relaxed weekends.