Go Back
Adam

Old Fashioned Beef Stew – Hearty, Cozy & Timeless Comfort

Nothing warms the heart—and the home—quite like a bowl of Old Fashioned Beef Stew. This timeless recipe has been passed down through generations, celebrated for its tender beef, rustic vegetables, thick savory broth, and slow-simmered flavor that tastes like true homemade comfort. This stew is everything you want on a cold day: warm, nourishing, hearty, and filled with simple ingredients that become deeply flavorful as they cook together. With chunks of beef that melt in your mouth, soft potatoes, sweet carrots, onions, garlic, and a perfectly seasoned broth, this dish brings nostalgic comfort with every spoonful. It’s a family favorite, a dinner that fills the house with irresistible aroma, and the kind of recipe you’ll want to make again and again. Whether you're serving it with bread, rice, or enjoying it on its own, this Old Fashioned Beef Stew is the kind of cozy, satisfying meal that never goes out of style.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Beef
  • 2 lbs beef stew meat chuck roast cut into cubes
Vegetables
  • 4 medium carrots sliced
  • 3 celery stalks chopped
  • 3 medium potatoes cubed
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup peas fresh or frozen
Broth
  • 5 cups beef broth
Seasonings
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp paprika
Thickener
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
Oil
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Equipment

  • Large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring spoons & cups
  • Ladle – for serving

Method
 

Step 1 — Brown the beef
  1. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  2. Add beef cubes in batches and brown them on all sides.
  3. Remove and set aside.
Step 2 — Sauté vegetables
  1. In the same pot, add onion, carrots, and celery.
  2. Sauté 5–6 minutes, until softened.
  3. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
Step 3 — Add flour
  1. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables.
  2. Stir well for 1–2 minutes to create a base that thickens the broth later.
Step 4 — Add broth & seasonings
  1. Pour in beef broth.
  2. Add browned beef back into the pot, along with salt, pepper, thyme, paprika, and bay leaf.
Step 5 — Simmer
  1. Cover the pot and simmer on low for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Step 6 — Add potatoes
  1. Add diced potatoes.
  2. Simmer an additional 30–40 minutes, or until potatoes and beef are tender.
Step 7 — Add peas
  1. Stir in peas and cook 5 minutes more.
Step 8 — Final adjustments
  1. Remove bay leaf.
  2. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 9 — Serve
  1. Serve warm with bread, rice, or on its own with fresh herbs.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Keep up to 4 days
Flavor becomes even better the next day
Freezer
Freeze up to 3 months
Reheating
Warm over low heat
Add broth if stew thickens too much
🥄 Variations
1. Rustic Vegetable Stew
Add turnips, parsnips, or butternut squash.
2. Tomato-Style Beef Stew
Add 1 cup crushed tomatoes or tomato paste.
3. Herb-Loaded
Stir in rosemary, parsley, or bay leaves.
4. Slow Cooker Version
Add everything except peas.
Cook 8 hours on LOW.
Stir in peas at the end.
5. Gluten-Free
Use cornstarch instead of flour.
6. Spicy Stew
Add red pepper flakes or cayenne.
7. Thick & Rich
Mash some potatoes to thicken naturally.
8. Healthy Version
Use sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes.
9. High-Protein
Add chickpeas or lentils.
10. Mushroom Beef Stew
Add mushrooms for richer umami flavor.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. What cut of beef is best for stew?
Chuck roast works best—tender and flavorful.
2. Can I skip browning the beef?
Browning adds flavor—recommended but optional for speed.
3. Can I make it in the slow cooker?
Yes—cook 8 hours on LOW.
4. Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes—add during the last 20–30 minutes.
5. How do I make it thicker?
Use flour, cornstarch, or mash some potatoes.
6. Can I add more vegetables?
Absolutely—this stew is very flexible.
7. Why is my beef tough?
It needs longer cooking. Keep simmering until tender.
8. Can I use chicken instead?
Yes, but flavor will be lighter.
9. Does it freeze well?
Yes—cool completely before freezing.
10. What can I serve with beef stew?
Bread, biscuits, rice, mashed potatoes, or salad.
🏁 Conclusion
This Old Fashioned Beef Stew is the definition of timeless comfort. Slow-simmered beef, earthy vegetables, a deeply flavorful broth, and the perfect blend of hearty textures make this dish one of the most satisfying meals you can prepare. It’s nostalgic, warming, and wonderfully filling—everything a homemade stew should be.
Whether it’s winter or simply a day you crave something warm and cozy, this recipe will always deliver comfort, joy, and nourishment in every single bite.