Classic Beef Stew Recipe For Dinner - Natasha's Kitchen

beef chuck

🥗Healthier: lean beef

💰Cheaper: beef shank

Lean beef has less fat, while beef shank is often less expensive.

potatoes

🥗Healthier: sweet potatoes

💰Cheaper: frozen potatoes

Sweet potatoes are more nutritious, while frozen potatoes can be more budget-friendly.

In a large oven-safe pot, preferably a Dutch oven, sauté 6 ounces of chopped bacon over medium heat until golden brown and fat is released, then remove to a separate dish.

Stir together 2 pounds of chopped beef with 0.5 tablespoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 0.25 cup of flour until evenly coated.

Transfer half of the beef into the hot bacon fat and cook over medium-high heat until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Add more olive oil if needed, then add the second half of the beef and cook until browned. Transfer browned beef to the bowl with bacon.

Add 2 cups of good red wine to the pot and bring to a boil, scraping the bottom to deglaze the pot.

Add 1 pound of thickly sliced mushrooms and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes.

Roughly chop 4 carrots into half-inch thick pieces, dice 1 medium yellow onion, and chop 4 garlic cloves.

In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then add the sliced carrots, diced onion, and chopped garlic. Sauté for 4 minutes, stirring frequently.

Once the onions are soft, add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste and sauté for another minute, then transfer the veggies to the pot.

Add 4 cups of beef broth, season with 2 bay leaves, 0.5 teaspoons of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 0.5 teaspoons of black pepper.

Add the beef and bacon back to the pot, then stir in 1 pound of small potatoes, cut into halves or quarters to ensure bite-sized pieces. Stir to combine and make sure the potatoes are submerged in liquid.

Cover with a tight-fitting lid, then transfer to a preheated oven and bake at 325˚F for 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Skim off the extra fat from the top of the stew before serving for a healthier option.

Garnish with parsley for color and flavor before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary