Best Ever Beef Stew

Making the best ever beef stew involves slow cooking tender beef with a variety of vegetables and flavorful seasonings. Here’s a recipe to create a hearty and delicious beef stew:

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (about 900g) beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 4 carrots, peeled and sliced into 1-inch pieces
• 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Coat the Beef: In a large bowl, toss the beef stew meat with flour, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
2. Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Brown the beef on all sides, about 5-6 minutes per batch. Transfer the browned beef to a plate and set aside.
3. Saute the Aromatics: In the same pot, add diced onions and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Deglaze the Pot: Pour in the beef broth and red wine (if using), scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. Stir in the tomato paste until well combined.
5. Add Seasonings: Return the browned beef to the pot. Add bay leaves, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Stir to combine.
6. Simmer the Stew: Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer gently for about 1½ to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.
7. Add Vegetables: After the beef has cooked for about an hour, add the sliced carrots and cubed potatoes to the pot. Continue to simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 30-45 minutes.
8. Add Peas (Optional): If using frozen peas, add them to the pot during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
9. Adjust Seasonings: Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
10. Serve: Remove the bay leaves from the stew. Ladle the beef stew into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of this best-ever beef stew!

Feel free to customize the stew by adding other vegetables like celery, mushrooms, or parsnips. Serve it with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a complete meal.