🥣 Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe: A Cozy Classic to Warm Your Soul 🥕
When chilly weather rolls in, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm bowl of Old Fashioned Beef Stew waiting on the stove. Tender beef chunks, rich savory broth loaded with fresh carrots, potatoes, celery, and aromatic herbs—it’s classic comfort food at its heartwarming best. Living in the Midwest, where cold winters are as common as warm kitchen gatherings, this stew always brings back the happiest memories of cozy Sundays and family dinners at Grandma’s farmhouse table.
Whether you’re looking to elevate your cold-weather cooking, impress your family, or simply create a delicious dish that’s equal parts nostalgia and comfort, I’ve got you covered. Ready to get cooking? Let’s dive deep into this hearty classic!
Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe
🥘 A Taste of Nostalgia: Why This Beef Stew Recipe Holds a Special Place in My Heart
Cooking isn’t just about food—it’s about memories, stories, laughter, and cozy moments shared with loved ones around the table. Every time I stir a pot of this old-fashioned beef stew, I’m instantly transported back to my grandma’s cozy kitchen.
I still remember chilly evenings when my siblings and I would rush in from playing in the snow, cheeks rosy and eyes bright. Grandma would greet us with a smile, the irresistible aroma of simmering stew wafting through her kitchen. We’d gather around her vintage wooden table, eagerly devouring heaping bowls of warm stew, served with crusty bread and shared stories. Those cherished moments planted the seeds for my lifelong passion for making warm, comforting food we can all gather around.
Today, I’m sharing Grandma’s secret recipe, passed down over generations and adapted slightly for modern convenience. It’s my go-to stew—and after your first spoonful, trust me, it’ll soon become yours too!
🍖 Ingredients You’ll Need for the Best Old Fashioned Beef Stew
Here’s our line-up of simple yet flavorful ingredients—the classic beef stew staples you probably already have on hand:
– 2 lbs beef stew meat (chuck roast, cubed)
– 4 tbsp cornstarch, divided
– 1 tsp salt
– ¼ tsp black pepper
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 tbsp tomato paste
– 4 cups beef broth
– ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
– 1½ lbs red potatoes, chopped
– 10 oz pearl onions (fresh or frozen)
– 4 carrots, sliced thickly
– 4 celery ribs, sliced
– 1 tsp granulated sugar
– ½ tsp each: dried basil, dried oregano, dried parsley, paprika
– ¼ tsp ground allspice
– ¼ cup cold water
Alright, apron on, sleeves rolled up—you’ve got this!
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions to Cook Your Own Delicious Beef Stew
Step 1: Coat & Season Beef
In a bowl, toss beef cubes with 2 tbsp cornstarch, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. This helps your beef caramelize beautifully and thickens your stew perfectly.
Step 2: Brown That Beef!
Warm olive oil in your trusty Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stew pot. Add beef cubes and brown over medium heat for about 5 minutes, turning often. Don’t rush this step—the beef’s caramelized exterior is key to building deep, robust flavors.
Step 3: Aromatics Next
Mix in garlic and tomato paste. Sauté them for 1-2 minutes, just until fragrant—the kitchen is going to smell amazing!
Step 4: Deglaze Time!
Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Use a wooden spoon to scrape all those delicious caramelized bits of beef from the bottom. Those brown bits equal flavor magic!
Step 5: Veggies and Herbs in the Pot
Pop in potatoes, pearl onions, carrots, and celery. Sprinkle in granulated sugar, dried herbs (basil, oregano, parsley), paprika, and allspice. Stir everything carefully.
Step 6: Low and Slow Simmering
Bring the stew to a gentle boil. Immediately reduce heat to LOW, cover with a secure lid, and let it simmer away gently for 90–120 minutes until beef is tender enough to melt in your mouth.
Step 7: Thicken the Stew
In the final minutes, combine remaining 2 tbsp cornstarch with ¼ cup cold water until dissolved and smooth. Stir this mixture into your stew slowly and simmer for another few minutes until rich, thick, and deliciously hearty.
Check for seasoning, adjust salt/pepper if needed, and voilà , that’s your cozy stew!
🍽️ How to Serve Up That Wholesome Beef Stew Goodness:
This classic Old Fashioned Beef Stew tastes amazing served simply—in large comforting bowls, garnished with fresh chopped parsley. Here are few serving suggestions to elevate your stew night:
– Warm crusty bread, biscuits, or dinner rolls to mop up that hearty sauce.
– Buttery mashed potatoes to spoon stew right on top for extra comfort points.
– Creamy polenta is a satisfying alternative that matches perfectly.
– A light green salad dressed in vinaigrette complements the richer stew beautifully.
🌟 Chef’s Pro Tips: Secrets to Cook the Perfect Beef Stew Every Time
1. Pick the Right Cut: Chuck roast is ideal because it has great marbling and becomes meltingly tender after a long, slow cook.
2. Low and Slow = Tender Beef: Resist the urge to crank up your heat. Low temperatures and a longer simmer ensure your beef is tasty and fork-tender.
3. Adjust Seasoning Before Serving: After cooking, always test for seasoning. Add a sprinkle more salt or pepper at the end to make flavors really pop.
4. Make it Ahead: Beef stew improves overnight—it’s like magic. Flavors deepen even more the following day, making leftovers just as delightful.
📋 Nutritional Information (Per 2-Cup Serving)
– Calories: 316
– Protein: 29g
– Carbs: 27g
– Fat: 9g
Balanced, satisfying, nutrient-rich comfort food made easy—and delicious!
🌞 The Warm, Comforting Magic of Old Fashioned Beef Stew
Cooking Old Fashioned Beef Stew brings warmth, comfort, and the promise of cozy evenings around the table. Not only is it packed with wholesome ingredients that nourish the body, but it serves up a spoonful of love and nostalgia that soothes the soul.
I hope this recipe becomes part of your family’s treasured cold-weather tradition, just like it is in mine. Happy cooking, and remember—nothing tastes better than slow-simmered food made with love and enjoyed with your favorite people!
Loved this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it, share with a good foodie friend, and let me know in the comments how your stew turned out! Happy stew-making, my friends! 🍲❤️
PrintOld Fashioned Beef Stew
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
- Yield: 8
Ingredients
• 2 lbs beef stew meat (chuck roast, cubed)
• 4 tbsp cornstarch (divided)
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 4 cups beef broth
• ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1½ lbs red potatoes, chopped
• 10 oz pearl onions
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 4 celery ribs, sliced
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• ½ tsp each: dried basil, oregano, parsley, paprika
• ¼ tsp ground allspice
• ¼ cup cold water
Instructions
Toss beef with 2 tbsp cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven. Brown beef for 5 mins, stirring often.
Stir in garlic and tomato paste. Cook 1–2 mins until fragrant.
Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire, scraping the pot to deglaze.
Add potatoes, onions, carrots, celery, and all seasonings.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to low. Cover and simmer 90–120 mins until beef is tender.
Mix remaining 2 tbsp cornstarch with cold water. Stir into stew to thicken.
Simmer a few more minutes, then season to taste and serve hot.
Nutrition
- Calories: 316 Per 2 Cup Serving
- Fat: 9g Per 2 Cup Serving
- Carbohydrates: 27g Per 2 Cup Serving
- Protein: 29g Per 2 Cup Serving
