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Easy Beef Stew Recipe

🍲 Easy Beef Stew

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 28 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs beef stew meat cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 3 carrots sliced
  • 3 potatoes diced
  • 2 celery stalks sliced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour optional, for thickening

Method
 

Brown the Beef:
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season beef with salt and pepper. Brown beef in batches on all sides; remove and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics:
  1. In the same pot, add onion and cook 4–5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Build the Stew:
  1. Stir in tomato paste and flour (if using). Cook 1 minute. Slowly pour in beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps.
Simmer:
  1. Return beef to pot. Add carrots, potatoes, celery, thyme, paprika, and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Finish & Serve:
  1. Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

Extra Flavor: Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or red wine with the broth.
Thicker Stew: Mash a few potatoes into the broth near the end of cooking.
Slow Cooker Option: Cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours.
Make Ahead: Stew tastes even better the next day.
Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.