Hearty Beef Stew Recipe: Cozy Comfort in Every Spoonful

Crafting a hearty beef stew that melts in your mouth becomes an art form when you understand the secrets of slow cooking.

Tender chunks of meat simmer gently with robust vegetables, creating a symphony of flavors.

Rich aromas will drift through your kitchen, promising comfort in every spoonful.

Selecting quality beef makes all the difference in developing deep, complex tastes.

Carrots, potatoes, and herbs dance together, turning simple ingredients into a memorable meal.

Mastering this classic dish requires patience and a few clever techniques.

Cozy up and let this recipe guide you toward a truly satisfying culinary experience.

Why Hairy Bikers Beef Stew Is Rich And Hearty

• Quick and Hearty Meal: Satisfy hungry families with a rich, comforting beef stew packed with tender meat and colorful vegetables in one pot.
• Low-Effort Cooking: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe perfect for home cooks of all skill levels, requiring minimal kitchen technique.
• Versatile Comfort Food: Adaptable for different occasions like weeknight dinners, weekend gatherings, or cozy cold-weather meals that everyone will love.
• Nutritious One-Pot Wonder: Combines protein-rich beef with multiple vegetables, creating a balanced and filling meal that delivers great nutrition in a single delicious dish.

What You’ll Need For Hairy Bikers Beef Stew

• Beef: A hearty and tender meat that forms the base of this comforting stew.

• Potatoes, Carrots, Celery, Onions, Peas: Fresh vegetables that add nutrition, flavor, and texture to the stew.

• Flour, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the beef's flavor and help create a light coating.
• Rosemary, Tomato Paste: Herbs and concentrated tomato that provide depth and richness to the stew.
• Cornstarch, Water: A simple mixture that helps thicken the stew to a perfect, glossy consistency.

• Olive Oil: Used for browning the meat and creating a flavorful base.
• Beef Broth, Red Wine: Liquid ingredients that add complexity and richness to the stew's overall taste.

Simple Steps For Hairy Bikers Beef Stew

Step 1: Prepare Beef Mixture

Sprinkle the beef with flour, creating a light coating. Add garlic powder, salt, and pepper to infuse rich flavor into the meat. Ensure each piece of beef is evenly seasoned for maximum taste.

Step 2: Sear Meat and Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot. Carefully add beef and diced onions, allowing them to brown beautifully. The goal is to develop a deep golden crust that will create incredible depth of flavor.

Step 3: Build the Liquid Base

Pour in beef broth and red wine to deglaze the pot. Scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan, which will add incredible richness to your stew.

Step 4: Create the Stew Foundation

• Chopped potatoes
• Sliced carrots
• Diced celery
• Tomato paste
• Fresh rosemary

Stir everything together to combine the vegetables and herbs.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the pot and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Let the stew cook slowly, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to become incredibly tender. This process takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Step 6: Thicken the Stew

Mix cornstarch with a small amount of water to create a smooth slurry. Slowly stir this into the stew to create a rich, velvety texture.

Step 7: Add Final Touch of Vegetables

Toss in fresh green peas and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes. This adds a pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor to the stew.

Step 8: Final Seasoning and Serving

Taste the stew and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve piping hot in deep bowls, perfect for a comforting meal that warms both body and soul.

Top Tips For Hairy Bikers Beef Stew Success

• Flour Power: Coating beef in flour helps create a crispy exterior and thickens the stew's sauce, locking in rich flavors.
• Wine Magic: Adding red wine deepens the taste profile, creating a more complex and robust beef stew.
• Low and Slow: Gentle simmering for 1½ hours breaks down tough meat fibers, ensuring tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef.
• Veggie Variety: Feel free to swap or add seasonal vegetables like parsnips or sweet potatoes for extra nutrition and texture.
• Fresh Herb Boost: Replace dried rosemary with fresh sprigs for a more vibrant, aromatic finish to your stew.

Tasty Ways To Tweak Hairy Bikers Beef Stew

• Hearty Lamb Stew: Replace beef with tender lamb chunks for a rich, Mediterranean-inspired variation.
• Vegetarian Root Vegetable Stew: Swap beef with mushrooms and add extra root vegetables like parsnips and turnips for a plant-based version.
• Slow Cooker Magic: Transfer ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours for a hands-off approach.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Use gluten-free flour for coating and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.

Great Sides With Hairy Bikers Beef Stew

• Pair with Rich Red Wines: Choose bold, full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah that complement the hearty beef and match the stew's robust flavors.
• Serve with Crusty Artisan Bread: Select rustic sourdough or French baguette to soak up the delicious stew liquid and provide a perfect textural contrast.
• Create a Fresh Side Salad: Prepare a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette to balance the stew's richness and add brightness to the meal.
• Complement with Roasted Root Vegetables: Prepare simple roasted parsnips or roasted Brussels sprouts to enhance the earthy undertones of the beef stew.

How To Store Hairy Bikers Beef Stew Easily

• Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Remove excess air, label with date, and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Place stew in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• Pour stew into pot, add splash of broth or water to prevent drying. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through and steaming.

FAQs About Hairy Bikers Beef Stew

• Why use flour to coat the beef?

Coating beef in flour helps create a crispy exterior and thickens the stew sauce by allowing the meat to brown properly and release flavorful bits.

• Can I use a different type of meat?

While beef is traditional, you can substitute lamb or venison for a similar hearty stew with rich flavor.

• What if I don't have red wine?

You can replace red wine with additional beef broth or even grape juice to maintain moisture and depth in the stew.

• How do I know when the beef is tender?

The beef is ready when it falls apart easily with a fork and can be cut with minimal effort, which typically occurs after slow cooking for 1-2 hours.

Beef Stew Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty beef stew from grandma’s kitchen brings comfort and warmth to dinner tables with rich, slow-simmered flavors. Tender meat, vegetables, and savory broth create a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) stewing beef, trimmed and cubed

Seasonings and Flour:

• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) flour
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary

Vegetables and Liquids:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pound (454 grams) potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 carrots, cut into chunks
• 4 celery stalks, cut into chunks
• 3/4 cup (120 grams) peas
• 6 cups (1.4 liters) beef broth
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) red wine (optional)
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) tomato paste

Thickening Agents:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) water

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Instructions

1. Coat beef chunks thoroughly with seasoned flour mixture, ensuring even coverage for optimal browning and flavor development.
2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven, then sear beef and onions until meat develops a rich, golden-brown exterior, creating deep caramelization.
3. Pour beef broth and red wine into the pot, scraping up flavorful browned bits from the bottom to enhance the stew’s complexity.
4. Incorporate root vegetables including potatoes, carrots, and celery, along with concentrated tomato paste and aromatic rosemary sprigs.
5. Reduce heat to low, covering the pot and allowing the stew to gently simmer for approximately 1.5-2 hours, ensuring meat becomes incredibly tender.
6. Create a smooth cornstarch slurry by whisking water and cornstarch together, then gradually stir into the stew to create a luxurious, velvety consistency.
7. Add vibrant green peas during the final 5-7 minutes of cooking to preserve their bright color and fresh texture.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile before serving piping hot.

Notes

• Coat meat thoroughly with seasoned flour to create a delicious golden crust that locks in flavor and helps thicken the stew.
• Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for maximum tenderness and rich beef flavor during long, slow cooking.
• Use low sodium broth to control salt levels, allowing you to adjust seasoning precisely without making the dish too salty.
• For gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or alternative gluten-free flour blend to maintain the same coating effect.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 335 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg