Stovetop Beef Stew

Beef stew is classic comfort food that is hearty and full of flavor. It is a perfect recipe for a cold night and is packed with vegetables, gravy, and tender beef.

If you do have an Instant Pot, you can use this Instant Pot beef stew version instead.

This is The Best Beef Stew Recipe That’s Tender

Simmering the beef at a low temperature for at least 90 minutes will give you a deliciously fork-tender beef.

Beef Stew Ingredients

What is the best beef for stew?

The best choices for beef stew include lean cuts such as chuck, shoulder cuts, or round steak. These cuts tend to be the least expensive cuts of meat and are perfect for your beef stew recipe.

Stovetop Beef Stew Substitutions and Additions

BEEF: You can use any type of beef that cooks well in a stew. Chuck roast is popular or you can use braising steak or beef stew meat. Try to cut cubes of beef to an even size so it cooks properly.

WINE: To make a stew that’s more like a classic Beef Bourguignon, you can add a little red wine. Any good red will do and add two cups as you add the beef stock. 

How To Make Beef Stew

Step 1: Coat Beef

In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. Coat the raw beef pieces in the flour mixture.

Step 2: Brown the Meat

In a large stockpot or large Dutch oven, add the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the meat pieces and brown beef on all sides.

The meat will continue cooking in the stew. Once the meat is brown remove it to a plate and set it aside.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables

If you need to add additional butter or olive oil you can add more to sauté the vegetables. Add the garlic, onion, carrots, and celery into the pot and cook until the vegetables start to caramelize or get slightly soft.

Step 4: Add Broth Ingredients

Add in the beef broth, tomato paste, potatoes, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and rosemary. Stir until well combined.

Step 5: Boil, Then Reduce to Simmer

Add the beef pieces back into the pot and bring the stew to a boil over medium-high heat.

Once it starts to boil then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for one hour to 90 minutes or until the beef is tender.

Step 6: Thicken Stew

Mix the cornstarch and water and slowly stir into the beef stew to thicken the sauce. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes with the lid off, stirring occasionally as it thickens.

Step 7: Adjust Final Ingredients

Remove the bay leaf.

Add the peas to the stew for the last 5 to 10 minutes while it is thickening and before serving, so they don’t get mushy.

How To Serve Beef Stew

This is a delicious and complete meal on its own with crusty French bread or dinner rolls on the side.

You can also serve it on top of egg noodles, with a side salad or scalloped potatoes. Creamy mashed potatoes are also delicious with it and easy to make.

Beef Stew Recipe Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: You can store leftovers of this hearty stew in the fridge in airtight containers for up to 4 days.

If you want to make it ahead of time, carry out steps one to seven then stop and pop it in the fridge once cooled. When you want to serve, reheat, then finish the last steps.

IN THE FREEZER: This simple beef stew can freeze but it is best to do so without the potatoes as they don’t freeze well.

Once it is cooked and cooled, store it in airtight containers for up to three months. When reheating, you can either add cooked potatoes in or serve as a side dish.

This easy beef stew recipe is a classic dish that has tender meat and all the rich flavors of the vegetables in a savory sauce. You can make this popular recipe in bigger batches and even freeze the leftovers to quickly reheat when needed.