Beef stew is a hearty and comforting dish that can be enjoyed on a cold day or any time of the year. Making it is a simple task, and it calls for just a handful of basic ingredients. In this article, Trendbbq will show you how to make beef stew in a few simple steps.
1. What You Need to Make Beef Stew
To prepare beef stew, you’ll require these ingredients:
- Two pounds of beef chuck, each piece measuring one inch in size. You can also use other cuts of beef, such as brisket, round, or sirloin, but chuck is the most tender and flavorful for stewing.
- Salt and pepper, to season the beef.
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, for browning the beef.
- 1 large onion, chopped.
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced.
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, for thickening the sauce.
- 4 cups of beef broth, or water with beef bouillon cubes.
- 2 bay leaves, for adding aroma and flavor.
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme or 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves can be used interchangeably.
- Cut four medium potatoes into chunks after peeling them.
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced.
- 2 celery stalks, chopped.
- 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley, for garnishing (optional).
2. How to Make Beef Stew: Step by Step
Follow these steps to make beef stew:
- Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Begin by heating the oil in a sizable pot or Dutch oven on high heat. Add the beef in batches and brown on all sides, turning occasionally, for about 15 minutes. Move the seared beef to a plate and leave it there.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion and garlic to the same pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, for about 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Include the bay leaves, thyme, and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
- Put the beef and any collected juices back into the pot. Cover and simmer over low heat until the beef is tender, for about 1 hour.
- Include the potatoes, carrots, and celery in the pot. Cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender, for about 30 minutes more.
- Discard the bay leaves and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Sprinkle with parsley if desired and serve hot with crusty bread or rice.
3. Tips and Tricks for Making Beef Stew
Here are some tips and tricks for making beef stew:
- You can use a slow cooker or an instant pot to make beef stew. Just follow the same steps as above, but transfer everything to the slow cooker or instant pot after browning the beef and onion. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours in the slow cooker, or on manual high pressure for 35 minutes in the instant pot.
- You can add other vegetables to your beef stew, such as mushrooms, peas, green beans, or corn. Just add them in the last 15 minutes of cooking so they don’t get mushy.
- You can also add some red wine, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, or soy sauce to your beef stew for extra flavor and richness. Simply adjust the quantity of beef broth accordingly.
- You can make your beef stew ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Before serving, warm it up either on the stove or in the microwave.
Beef stew is a simple and delicious recipe that you can make with a few basic ingredients. It is a hearty and comforting dish that can be enjoyed on a cold day or any time of the year. Follow our easy steps on how to make beef stew and enjoy!
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4. FAQs
4.1. What ingredients do I need to make beef stew?
To make beef stew, you’ll typically need beef (such as stew meat or chuck roast), vegetables (like carrots, potatoes, and onions), broth, seasonings (such as thyme and bay leaves), and flour for thickening.
4.2. What’s the best cut of beef for stew?
The best cuts for beef stew are typically tougher cuts with more marbling, like chuck roast or stew meat. These cuts become tender and flavorful when slow-cooked in a stew.
4.3. How do I prepare the beef before adding it to the stew?
Cut the beef into bite-sized pieces and season them with salt and pepper. You can also dredge the beef in flour before browning it to help thicken the stew.
4.4. How do I thicken beef stew?
You can thicken beef stew by mixing a few tablespoons of flour or cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry. Add this slurry to the simmering stew and stir until it thickens to your desired consistency.
4.5. How long should I simmer the beef stew?
The simmering time can vary depending on the recipe and the size of your beef chunks, but it typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours to cook beef stew until the meat is tender. The longer it simmers, the more tender and flavorful it will become.
