Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe 🥩🥔🥕

If you’re craving a warm, hearty meal that tastes like it came straight from Grandma’s kitchen, this Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe is exactly what you need. Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe combines tender chunks of beef chuck, hearty potatoes, sweet carrots, onions, and a rich, savory broth that’s slow-simmered until every bite is packed with comforting flavor. It’s the ultimate one-pot dinner for chilly evenings, Sunday suppers, or anytime you need a cozy homemade meal.

This timeless recipe is easy to prepare, full of wholesome ingredients, and tastes even better the next day.

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Why You’ll Love This Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe

This hearty stew is a true comfort food classic.

Rich and Flavorful

Slow-simmered beef creates an incredibly savory broth.

Tender Beef

Beef chuck becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Loaded with Vegetables

A complete meal filled with wholesome ingredients.

Perfect for Meal Prep

The flavors become even richer overnight.

Family Favorite

A comforting recipe that’s been loved for generations.

What Does Old Fashioned Beef Stew Taste Like?

This stew is rich, hearty, and deeply comforting. Tender beef, soft potatoes, sweet carrots, and onions simmer together in a flavorful beef broth infused with herbs, creating a classic homemade meal that’s both filling and satisfying.

Benefits of Making Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe

Beginner-Friendly

Simple ingredients and easy cooking techniques.

Budget-Friendly

Beef chuck becomes tender and flavorful after slow cooking.

One-Pot Meal

Easy cleanup with everything cooked in one pot.

Freezer-Friendly

Perfect for make-ahead meals.

Ingredients

For the Stew

• 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1½-inch cubes
• 3 cups beef broth
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 3 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Additions

• 1 cup frozen peas
• 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Essential Equipment

• Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed soup pot
• Wooden spoon
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredient Additions and Substitutions

Customize this stew with your favorite ingredients.

Add More Vegetables

Try adding:

• Parsnips
• Turnips
• Green beans
• Corn
• Sweet potatoes

Herb Options

Use:

• Rosemary
• Sage
• Fresh thyme

Beef Options

Replace beef chuck with:

• Stew meat
• Bottom round roast
• Sirloin tips

How to Make Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe

This classic stew comes together with just a few simple steps.

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Season the beef with salt and pepper.

Brown the beef in batches for 3–4 minutes per side.

Transfer to a plate.

Step 2: Cook the Vegetables

In the same pot, cook:

• Onion
• Carrots
• Celery (if using)

for 5 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Sprinkle in the flour and stir for 1 minute.

Step 3: Build the Broth

Stir in:

• Tomato paste
• Worcestershire sauce

Gradually pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

Return the beef to the pot.

Add:

• Potatoes
• Thyme
• Italian seasoning
• Bay leaves

Bring to a gentle boil.

Step 4: Simmer

Reduce the heat to low.

Cover and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are cooked through.

If using peas or mushrooms, stir them in during the final 15 minutes.

Step 5: Serve

Remove the bay leaves.

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

What to Serve with Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe

This comforting stew pairs perfectly with:

Favorite Side Dishes

• Crusty French bread
• Buttermilk biscuits
• Cornbread
• Dinner rolls
• Garden salad
• Garlic bread

Storage Instructions

Refrigerator

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer

Freeze cooled stew in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

Thaw overnight before reheating.

Reheating

Warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or microwave individual servings until heated through.

General Information

Old-fashioned beef stew has been a cherished comfort food for generations. Using beef chuck allows the meat to become wonderfully tender during slow simmering, while the vegetables absorb the rich broth, creating a meal that’s wholesome, filling, and perfect for sharing.

Nutritional Information

Approximate values per serving (based on 6 servings):

• Calories: 425
• Protein: 35g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 650mg

Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on the ingredients used.

Conclusion

This Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe is everything a comforting homemade meal should be—rich, hearty, and filled with tender beef and wholesome vegetables. Whether you prepare it on the stovetop or adapt it for the slow cooker, this timeless recipe is guaranteed to warm both hearts and appetites.

If you make this recipe, leave a review and share your photos on Pinterest so others can enjoy this classic homemade beef stew too!

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