How to Make Spicy Beef Stew

beef

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: pork

Chicken is leaner, while pork is often less expensive.

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water + seasoning

Vegetable broth reduces calories and can be made cheaply.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while canola oil is more budget-friendly.

chili powder

🥗Healthier: cayenne pepper

💰Cheaper: paprika

Cayenne offers heat without added calories, while paprika is often cheaper.

Coat 2 pounds of cubed beef with a mixture of 3 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon cayenne, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon onion powder, ensuring all sides are covered.

Heat a pan until hot and brown the beef in batches, avoiding overcrowding the pan.

Once browned, remove the beef from the pan and add a little water to scrape the brown bits from the bottom.

Return the beef to the pot and add 1 chopped medium yellow onion, 2 garlic cloves, and 1 halved chili pepper (seeds and membrane included).

Add 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, additional salt, black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, and 1 teaspoon sugar to the pot.

Let the mixture simmer for about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

After simmering, remove the chili pepper and garlic cloves from the pot.

Add 3 sliced carrots, 3 stalks of celery, and 16 small red baby potatoes to the pot, mixing well.

Add another cup of water and let the stew cook for an additional 20 to 30 minutes.

Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.

To thicken the stew, mix 1 tablespoon corn starch with 1/4 cup warm water and add it to the pot, bringing it to a boil.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: