Introduction
There’s something undeniably nostalgic and comforting about a big pot of homemade beef stew. Tender chunks of beef chuck simmered low and slow with golden potatoes, sweet carrots, and aromatic herbs—this is the kind of rustic one-pot meal that feeds the soul as much as the stomach.
This version of Easy Homemade Beef Stew delivers rich, savory flavor in every bite. It’s thickened naturally with a gluten-free flour slurry, simmered with beef broth and tomato paste for depth, and seasoned with fresh thyme, bay leaf, and Worcestershire sauce for a perfectly balanced finish.
Perfect for chilly evenings, make-ahead meals, or Sunday dinner, this stew is one recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Want more hearty one-pot classics and cold-weather favorites? Explore recipeservice.net for more cozy meal inspiration.
🛒 Ingredients
🥩 Meat
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1½-inch cubes
🥕 Produce
- 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced
- 2 Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ½ large yellow onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 bay leaf
🍅 Canned & Broth
- 2 cups beef broth
- ¼ cup tomato paste
🍶 Condiments
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
🧂 Spices & Thickeners
- ½ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp gluten-free all-purpose flour
🛢 Oils
- 2 tbsp olive oil
👨🍳 Directions
🔥 Step 1: Brown the Beef
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat.
- Season beef cubes with salt and pepper.
- Working in batches, sear beef on all sides until browned (about 4–5 minutes per batch).
- Transfer browned beef to a plate.
Tip: Don’t crowd the pan—this ensures a nice crust develops.
🧄 Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
- In the same pot, reduce heat to medium.
- Add:
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cook, stirring, for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
🍅 Step 3: Build the Stew Base
- Stir in:
- Tomato paste
- Worcestershire sauce
- Cook for 1 minute, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze.
- Sprinkle in the gluten-free flour and stir to coat veggies and thicken base.
🥣 Step 4: Simmer
- Return beef (with juices) to the pot.
- Add:
- 2 cups beef broth
- Bay leaf
- Fresh thyme
- Stir and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 45 minutes.
🥕 Step 5: Add Veggies
- Add:
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Simmer uncovered for 30–40 more minutes, until beef and vegetables are tender.
Stir occasionally and add more broth or water if needed for consistency.
🥄 Step 6: Final Touches
- Discard the bay leaf.
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and seasoning.
- If desired, mash a few potatoes into the broth to thicken further.
🍽 Step 7: Serve
- Ladle stew into bowls.
- Garnish with fresh thyme or chopped parsley.
- Serve with crusty bread, gluten-free rolls, or over rice.
🍽️ Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4–6
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1.5 hours
- Total Time: ~1 hour 50 minutes
🍴 Serving Suggestions
- Serve over:
- Mashed potatoes
- Buttered noodles
- Polenta
- Cauliflower mash (for low-carb option)
- Add a side of:
- Steamed green beans
- Garden salad
- Buttery gluten-free biscuits
🧑🍳 Variations
- Add more veggies: Mushrooms, celery, parsnips, or peas (add peas last 5 mins)
- Spicy twist: Add a dash of cayenne or chili flakes
- Red wine boost: Replace ½ cup broth with dry red wine for deeper flavor
- Slow cooker method: Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4–5 hours after browning
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:
- Store in airtight containers for up to 5 days
Freezer:
- Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months
- Thaw overnight in fridge
Reheating:
- Warm gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth or water if needed
This stew tastes even better the next day—perfect for meal prep!
❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What cut of beef is best for stew?
Beef chuck is ideal—it becomes tender and flavorful when simmered.
2. Can I use regular flour instead of gluten-free?
Yes, substitute 1:1 with all-purpose flour if not gluten-sensitive.
3. Do I need to peel the potatoes?
Yukon golds have thin skin, so peeling is optional.
4. Can I use store-bought stew seasoning?
Yes, but this version gets all its depth from fresh herbs and pantry staples.
5. Is tomato paste necessary?
It adds richness and color. If omitting, increase broth slightly.
6. Can I make it ahead?
Absolutely! It stores and reheats beautifully.
7. Can I thicken it more?
Yes—mash a few potato chunks into the stew or add a flour slurry.
8. Can I make this in the Instant Pot?
Yes! Use sauté mode to brown, then cook on high pressure for 35 minutes.
9. Can I skip the Worcestershire sauce?
It adds umami depth, but you can replace with soy sauce or coconut aminos.
10. What broth is best?
Low-sodium beef broth is ideal so you can control seasoning.
📝 Conclusion
This Easy Homemade Beef Stew is hearty, rich, and everything you want in a comforting meal. Perfectly seasoned chunks of beef, melt-in-your-mouth potatoes, and aromatic veggies make this a go-to cold weather dish or Sunday supper staple. It’s naturally gluten-free, meal-prep friendly, and guaranteed to warm hearts and bellies alike.
Looking for more one-pot classics and freezer-friendly meals? Browse more cozy dinner recipes at recipeservice.net where every dish is designed for real life and real flavor.
Easy Homemade Beef Stew – Hearty, Flavorful & Comforting Every Time
Ingredients
🥩 Meat
- 2 lbs beef chuck cut into 1½-inch cubes
🥕 Produce
- 1 large carrot peeled and sliced
- 2 Yukon gold potatoes peeled and cubed
- ½ large yellow onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 bay leaf
🍅 Canned & Broth
- 2 cups beef broth
- ¼ cup tomato paste
🍶 Condiments
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
🧂 Spices & Thickeners
- ½ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp gluten-free all-purpose flour
🛢 Oils
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
🔥 Step 1: Brown the Beef
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat.
- Season beef cubes with salt and pepper.
- Working in batches, sear beef on all sides until browned (about 4–5 minutes per batch).
- Transfer browned beef to a plate.
- Tip: Don’t crowd the pan—this ensures a nice crust develops.
🧄 Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
- In the same pot, reduce heat to medium.
- Add:
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cook, stirring, for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
🍅 Step 3: Build the Stew Base
- Stir in:
- Tomato paste
- Worcestershire sauce
- Cook for 1 minute, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze.
- Sprinkle in the gluten-free flour and stir to coat veggies and thicken base.
🥣 Step 4: Simmer
- Return beef (with juices) to the pot.
- Add:
- 2 cups beef broth
- Bay leaf
- Fresh thyme
- Stir and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 45 minutes.
🥕 Step 5: Add Veggies
- Add:
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Simmer uncovered for 30–40 more minutes, until beef and vegetables are tender.
- Stir occasionally and add more broth or water if needed for consistency.
🥄 Step 6: Final Touches
- Discard the bay leaf.
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and seasoning.
- If desired, mash a few potatoes into the broth to thicken further.
🍽 Step 7: Serve
- Ladle stew into bowls.
- Garnish with fresh thyme or chopped parsley.
- Serve with crusty bread, gluten-free rolls, or over rice.
Notes
Serve over: Mashed potatoes Buttered noodles Polenta Cauliflower mash (for low-carb option) Add a side of: Steamed green beans Garden salad Buttery gluten-free biscuits 🧑🍳 Variations
Add more veggies: Mushrooms, celery, parsnips, or peas (add peas last 5 mins) Spicy twist: Add a dash of cayenne or chili flakes Red wine boost: Replace ½ cup broth with dry red wine for deeper flavor Slow cooker method: Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4–5 hours after browning 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:
Store in airtight containers for up to 5 days Freezer:
Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months Thaw overnight in fridge Reheating:
Warm gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth or water if needed This stew tastes even better the next day—perfect for meal prep! ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What cut of beef is best for stew?
Beef chuck is ideal—it becomes tender and flavorful when simmered. 2. Can I use regular flour instead of gluten-free?
Yes, substitute 1:1 with all-purpose flour if not gluten-sensitive. 3. Do I need to peel the potatoes?
Yukon golds have thin skin, so peeling is optional. 4. Can I use store-bought stew seasoning?
Yes, but this version gets all its depth from fresh herbs and pantry staples. 5. Is tomato paste necessary?
It adds richness and color. If omitting, increase broth slightly. 6. Can I make it ahead?
Absolutely! It stores and reheats beautifully. 7. Can I thicken it more?
Yes—mash a few potato chunks into the stew or add a flour slurry. 8. Can I make this in the Instant Pot?
Yes! Use sauté mode to brown, then cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. 9. Can I skip the Worcestershire sauce?
It adds umami depth, but you can replace with soy sauce or coconut aminos. 10. What broth is best?
Low-sodium beef broth is ideal so you can control seasoning. 📝 Conclusion
This Easy Homemade Beef Stew is hearty, rich, and everything you want in a comforting meal. Perfectly seasoned chunks of beef, melt-in-your-mouth potatoes, and aromatic veggies make this a go-to cold weather dish or Sunday supper staple. It’s naturally gluten-free, meal-prep friendly, and guaranteed to warm hearts and bellies alike. Looking for more one-pot classics and freezer-friendly meals? Browse more cozy dinner recipes at recipeservice.net where every dish is designed for real life and real flavor.