Best Ever Beef Stew: A Hearty and Delicious Comfort Food

Beef stew is the ultimate comfort food – hearty, rich, and packed with flavor. There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of tender beef, vegetables, and a savory broth, especially when the weather turns cold or you’re in need of a satisfying meal. This Best Ever Beef Stew recipe is sure to become a family favorite, offering tender chunks of beef, seasoned to perfection, and cooked to a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special gathering, this stew is simple, flavorful, and guaranteed to please everyone at the table.

Why You’ll Love This Beef Stew Recipe

Beef stew is the kind of dish that gets better as it simmers, allowing all the flavors to develop and meld together. Here’s why this recipe is sure to stand out:

• Tender Beef: The stew meat is browned to perfection, locking in the flavor before being simmered to a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
• Perfect Seasoning: The combination of seasoning salt, black pepper, and a touch of olive oil creates a balanced and flavorful base for the stew.
• Rich and Hearty: The result is a thick, rich broth that is packed with savory flavors, making this stew a filling and satisfying meal.
• Simple Ingredients: With just a few simple ingredients, this recipe is incredibly easy to prepare without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Ingredients for the Best Ever Beef Stew

To make this Best Ever Beef Stew, you’ll need the following ingredients. The beauty of this recipe is that it requires only a handful of pantry staples, making it easy to whip up without a lot of fuss.

• 2 pounds beef stew meat: Cut into bite-sized chunks. The stew meat will become tender as it cooks and will soak up all the delicious seasonings.
• ½ cup all-purpose flour: Used to coat the beef, which helps to create a thicker broth and gives the meat a nice sear when browned.
• 1 tablespoon seasoning salt: This adds a savory, well-rounded flavor to the beef and enhances the overall taste of the stew.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil: Used to brown the beef, olive oil gives the meat a rich, golden exterior while preventing it from sticking to the pan.
• ½ teaspoon black pepper: Adds just the right amount of heat and depth to the stew. Freshly ground black pepper is ideal for the best flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Best Ever Beef Stew

Making this beef stew is simple and straightforward, requiring just a bit of patience while the ingredients cook to perfection. Follow these steps for a savory, hearty stew that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Step 1: Coat the Beef

Start by placing the 2 pounds of beef stew meat in a large bowl. Sprinkle the ½ cup of all-purpose flour over the beef and toss the meat until it’s evenly coated. This flour coating will help the meat brown properly and thicken the broth later on.

Step 2: Season the Beef

Season the coated beef with 1 tablespoon of seasoning salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. The seasoning salt adds a delicious base flavor to the meat while the black pepper gives it a touch of spice. Mix the seasoning into the beef to ensure each piece is well-covered.

Step 3: Brown the Beef

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned beef in batches. You want to avoid overcrowding the pan, so brown the beef in stages to get an even sear on all sides. Browning the meat adds depth and richness to the stew’s flavor. Once browned, remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.

Step 4: Add Liquid and Simmer

Once all the beef is browned and removed from the pot, add a small amount of liquid (such as beef broth or water) to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This adds extra flavor to the stew. Return the browned beef to the pot, cover, and lower the heat to a simmer.

At this point, you can add your choice of vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery. For added depth, consider including a few sprigs of thyme or rosemary. Let the stew simmer on low heat for about 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.

Step 5: Taste and Adjust Seasoning

As the stew simmers, check the seasoning. You may want to add a bit more seasoning salt or pepper to balance the flavors to your liking. The longer the stew cooks, the more flavorful it becomes.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once the beef is tender and the stew has reached your desired thickness, it’s ready to serve. Spoon the stew into bowls, making sure to include plenty of the savory broth. Serve with some warm crusty bread for dipping, and enjoy a comforting, hearty meal.

Tips for Making the Best Beef Stew

To ensure your Best Ever Beef Stew turns out perfect every time, consider these helpful tips:

• Sear the Beef Properly: Don’t rush this step. Browning the beef creates a rich flavor base for the stew, so take the time to brown it well on all sides.
• Low and Slow Cooking: Beef stew benefits from slow cooking. Simmering the stew on low heat for a longer period of time allows the beef to become tender and absorb the flavors of the broth.
• Thicken the Broth: If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mix a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch with a little cold water to create a slurry, and then stir it into the simmering stew. Let it cook for a few minutes to thicken the liquid.
• Use Beef Broth for Extra Flavor: While water will work, using beef broth instead of water adds a richer, more savory depth to the stew.

Serving Suggestions for Beef Stew

This Best Ever Beef Stew is a meal in itself, but you can serve it alongside a variety of sides to round out the meal:

• Crusty Bread: Serve with a slice of warm, buttered bread for dipping in the rich broth.
• Mashed Potatoes: If you love potatoes, a side of creamy mashed potatoes pairs perfectly with the stew.
• Green Salad: A fresh, crisp salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the hearty stew.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables such as Brussels sprouts or carrots complement the flavors of the stew and add a bit of extra texture.

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of seasoning salt, black pepper, and olive oil creates a flavorful and tender base for the beef, while the slow simmering process allows all the ingredients to develop depth and richness. The result is a stew with perfectly cooked, melt-in-your-mouth beef, a rich broth, and layers of savory flavor that will make your taste buds sing. It’s the kind of meal you look forward to on a chilly evening, and one that’s sure to be requested time and time again.

Conclusion

This Best Ever Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food that combines simplicity, heartiness, and rich flavors into one satisfying dish. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this stew is guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out. Try this recipe today, and savor the delicious results!