Recipes from Cooking Light, Southern Living, Sunset, Coastal Living, All You, Real Simple, and Health
Classic Beef Stew
Photo: Susie Cushner
Edit Note

My Notes

(Only you will be able to view, print, and edit this Note)

Outstanding

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 4 hour(s) 30 minutes
Yield: Makes 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients

  • 4  pounds  bottom round, well trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1  cup  all-purpose flour
  • 1/3  cup  olive oil (plus more if needed)
  • 2  large onions, diced (2 cups)
  • 1  6-ounce can tomato paste
  • 1  cup  dry red wine
  • 1  pound  potatoes, cut into 2-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
  • 1/2  pound  baby carrots (about 2 cups)
  • 2  cups  beef broth
  • 1  tablespoon  kosher salt
  • 1  teaspoon  dried thyme leaves
  • 1  bay leaf
  • 1  cup  frozen peas, thawed

Preparation

Coat the beef in the flour. Heat a few tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meat, a few pieces at a time, adding more oil as necessary. Transfer to a heavy casserole or a heavy, covered saucepan or Dutch oven. Add the onions to the skillet and cook over medium heat until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and coat the onions; transfer to the casserole. Pour the wine into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits; add to the casserole. Stir in the broth, salt, thyme, and bay leaf. Cook in the casserole in a 325° F oven for 4 hours, or in the saucepan or Dutch oven on the stovetop over low heat for about 2 1/2 hours. In either case, stir occasionally and add up to 1 cup of additional beef broth if necessary. Add the potatoes and carrots during the last hour of cooking, and the peas just before serving.

To Freeze: Omit the peas. Let the stew cool, then ladle it into resealable freezer bags. Store for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: Thaw the stew overnight in the refrigerator or thaw partially in the microwave. Warm in a covered saucepan over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, adding the peas during the last 5 minutes.

Nutritional Information

Calories:
520 (0% from fat)
Fat:
20g (sat 5g)
Protein:
48mg
Carbohydrate:
31g
Fiber:
4g
Cholesterol:
127mg
Iron:
6mg
Sodium:
1061mg
Calcium:
54mg
Jane Kirby, Real Simple, MARCH 2004

Member Ratings and Reviews

5 stars
Carrie
This was FANTASTIC! The broth was to die for!!! I cooked it in the slow cooker on high for about 6 hours and it was perfect. This is our family's new beef stew recipe from now on! The only thing we might add the next time would be some pearl onions...but seriously this was a hit for the whole family!11/03/09

5 stars
Ginger
This is a hearty stew recipe! I cooked it in my slow cooker - on high for 6 hours. The sauce is fantastic and needs no thickening. Didn't have peas but used green beans instead. Might add mushrooms next time. It was soooooo good, I will be making it again!11/02/09