Description
A classic farmhouse beef stew that delivers warm comfort and hearty flavors, perfect for chilly days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds stewing beef, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 pounds baby potatoes, whole or halved
- 8 ounces button mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
- 6 cups beef stock
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme (or 2 teaspoons dried thyme)
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Peel and cut the carrots into 1-inch cubes.
- Wash the potatoes and clean the button mushrooms.
- Peel and cut the onions into eighths.
- Mince the garlic cloves and set aside.
- Season the beef with salt and pepper.
- Heat half the oil in a large stewing pot over medium-high heat. Add one-third of the beef and brown on all sides for about 4-5 minutes. Remove and repeat with remaining beef.
- Add the rest of the oil to the pot, then toss in onions and garlic, sweating for 2 minutes.
- Add carrots and potatoes, coating them in oil, and sweat for an additional 2 minutes.
- Return the beef to the pot with vegetables, then pour in the beef broth. Add tomato paste, sugar, and Worcestershire sauce; mix well.
- Add thyme and bay leaves; bring to a boil, then reduce to low and simmer for one hour.
- After an hour, add mushrooms and continue simmering for another hour.
- Make a cornstarch slurry with 3 tablespoons of cold water and stir into the stew to thicken.
- Increase heat to medium and simmer for a further 10 minutes, then remove thyme and bay leaves before serving.
- Serve in bowls, garnished with parsley, alongside rustic bread.
Notes
For extra tenderness, consider marinating the beef in red wine before cooking. You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 120 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg