Old-Fashioned Homemade Beef Stew

🍲 Old-Fashioned Homemade Beef Stew

Tender chunks of beef, hearty potatoes, sweet carrots, and onions simmered in a rich, savory gravy. This classic beef stew is warm, comforting, and perfect for a cozy family dinner! ❤️

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine or additional beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Toss with flour until lightly coated.
2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, then set aside.
3. Add the onion and celery to the pot. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste.
4. Pour in the wine or extra beef broth, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom.
5. Return the beef to the pot. Add beef broth, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, and Worcestershire sauce.
6. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook over low heat for about 1½ hours.
7. Add the potatoes and carrots. Cover and simmer for another 45–60 minutes, until the beef and vegetables are fork-tender.
8. Remove the bay leaf, taste, and adjust the seasoning. If the gravy needs thickening, simmer uncovered for a few minutes.
9. Serve hot with crusty bread to soak up that delicious gravy!

Tip: For the best flavor, brown the beef well before simmering. Slow cooking gives the meat time to become tender and makes the gravy wonderfully rich.