Description
Classic Beef Stew with Tender Meat and Rich Brown Sauce is a warm and comforting meal featuring slow-cooked beef chuck, vibrant vegetables, and a luscious natural brown sauce made with fresh ingredients. Perfect for family dinners or weekend feasts, this stew offers hearty goodness, melt-in-your-mouth meat, and a rich, savory flavor that satisfies and delights.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 1.5 lbs beef chuck, diced into bite-sized pieces
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped
Vegetables
- 3 medium carrots, chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 medium potatoes, diced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids and Sauces
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (natural)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp natural gelling agent
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Dice the beef chuck into bite-sized pieces, chop the carrots, celery, and potatoes evenly, and mince the garlic and onions to ensure everything cooks uniformly for perfect tenderness and flavor balance.
- Brown the Beef and Smoked Turkey Bacon: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and cook the smoked turkey bacon until it releases its smoky fat, then add the beef pieces, browning them on all sides to lock in flavor and create a savory base for the sauce.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add chopped onions, garlic, celery, and carrots to the pot with beef and bacon. Cook until softened and fragrant, allowing the natural sweetness to develop and deepen the stew’s flavor.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in the tomato paste (natural), sprinkle the flour evenly over the contents, then slowly add the vegetable broth while stirring to prevent lumps. Incorporate vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), fresh thyme, and bay leaves. The flour and natural gelling agent combine to thicken the sauce into a rich, luscious consistency.
- Simmer Until Tender: Cover the pot and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, allowing the beef to become melt-in-your-mouth tender and flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add Potatoes and Final Seasoning: About 30 minutes before the stew is done, add the diced potatoes so they become tender but remain firm. Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.
Notes
- Use quality beef chuck for juicy and tender meat after slow cooking.
- Do not rush the browning process; proper caramelization maximizes flavor depth.
- Stir flour well to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth sauce.
- Maintain a low and slow simmer to keep the meat tender and flavors rich.
- Adjust sauce thickness at the end; thin with broth if too thick, or add natural gelling agent if too thin.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: beef stew, classic beef stew, tender beef stew, rich brown sauce, comfort food, slow-cooked beef, hearty stew, vegetable stew