Description

Warm up your evenings with a savory Beef and Vegetable Stew packed with rich flavors and wholesome, natural ingredients for cozy nights. This hearty dish combines tender chunks of beef chuck, vibrant vegetables, and fragrant herbs in a slow-simmered broth that comforts and satisfies. Perfect for cooler evenings, it offers nourishing goodness and depth of flavor with every spoonful.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

1.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables

3 medium carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced

Liquids and Sauces

2 tbsp tomato paste (natural)
1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
4 cups beef broth (natural)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Herbs and Seasonings

2 bay leaves
1 tsp thyme (fresh or dried)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Others

1 to 2 tsp natural gelling agent
2 tbsp cooking oil

Instructions

Prepare the ingredients: Start by chopping beef chuck into bite-sized pieces and dicing all your vegetables evenly to ensure they cook at the same rate. Mince garlic and prepare your herbs so they are ready to add when needed.
Brown the beef: Heat a splash of oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then add the beef chunks. Sear until all sides develop a rich brown crust. This locks in flavor and creates a delicious base for the stew.
Sauté the aromatic vegetables: Remove beef temporarily and add onions, garlic, celery, and carrots to the pot. Cook until softened and fragrant, stirring regularly to avoid burning.
Build the stew base: Return the beef to the pot. Stir in tomato paste (natural) and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Pour in the beef broth (natural), add bay leaves and thyme, and bring everything to a gentle simmer.
Simmer until tender: Cover the pot and let the stew simmer on low heat for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender. Add peeled and diced potatoes halfway through cooking.
Thicken and season: Sprinkle the natural gelling agent gradually into the stew, stirring until the broth thickens to your desired consistency. Add apple cider vinegar for brightness, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Final touches: Remove bay leaves and any herb stems. Adjust seasoning if needed, then serve the stew steaming hot, ready to bring comfort to your table.

Notes

Brown the beef well to add layers of flavor to your stew.
Do not rush the simmering process as slow cooking tenderizes meat and blends flavors beautifully.
Layer herbs and seasonings at different stages to build complexity in taste.
Add the natural gelling agent slowly to achieve perfect consistency without clumps.
Let the stew rest for 10-15 minutes off heat to allow flavors to marry.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 650mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: beef stew, vegetable stew, hearty stew, slow cooked beef, comforting dinner, one pot meal