Nothing warms your soul quite like a hearty bowl of homemade beef stew, simmered to perfection with tender chunks of meat and colorful vegetables in a rich, savory broth.
Whether you prefer a classic recipe passed down through generations or want to explore international variations, these six exceptional beef stew recipes will satisfy your comfort food cravings.
From a traditional American beef stew to a French-inspired Beef Bourguignon, we’ll explore the best techniques and ingredients to create restaurant-quality stews in your own kitchen.
You’ll discover how to build layers of flavor, choose the right cuts of meat, and master the art of slow-cooking to achieve melt-in-your-mouth results every time.
Classic Burgundy Beef Stew with Red Wine
Transform your kitchen into a French bistro with this rich, hearty Burgundy Beef Stew.
This classic French dish combines tender beef chunks, smoky bacon, and vegetables in a luxurious red wine sauce.
Perfect for cold evenings, this stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
Ingredients:
• 3 lbs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes
• 8 oz bacon, diced
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 3 carrots, cut into chunks
• 8 oz mushrooms, quartered
• 3 cups red Burgundy wine (or Pinot Noir)
• 2 cups beef broth
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
Step 1: Pat beef dry and season with salt and pepper. Brown meat in batches in a Dutch oven with olive oil until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Cook bacon until crispy. Add onions and carrots, cooking until softened.
Step 3: Add garlic and flour, stirring for 1 minute. Pour in wine and broth, scraping bottom of pot.
Step 4: Return beef to pot with herbs and tomato paste. Simmer covered for 2 hours.
Step 5: Add mushrooms and cook for additional 30 minutes until meat is fork-tender.
Pro Tip: Choose a wine you’d actually drink – the better the wine, the richer your stew will be. Always let the stew rest for 15 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to settle.
Irish-Style Guinness Beef and Root Vegetable Stew
Irish-Style Guinness Beef and Root Vegetable Stew, a hearty and comforting dish, brings the authentic flavors of Ireland to your kitchen.
This robust stew combines tender chunks of beef with earthy root vegetables, all simmered in rich Guinness beer, creating a perfect meal for cold weather days.
Ingredients:
• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
• 2 large carrots, chunked
• 2 parsnips, chunked
• 2 medium potatoes, quartered
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (440ml) Guinness beer
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
Step 1: Season beef chunks with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and brown meat in batches until golden (about 5 minutes per batch).
Step 2: Lower heat to medium, add onions and garlic. Cook until softened (5 minutes).
Step 3: Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir for 1 minute.
Step 4: Pour in Guinness and broth, add tomato paste, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
Step 5: Add all root vegetables and continue simmering for another 45 minutes until meat is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
Pro Tip: For the best flavor, make this stew a day ahead – it always tastes better the next day. When reheating, add a splash of beef broth if the stew seems too thick.
Rustic Italian Beef and Tomato Stew
Transform your kitchen into a cozy Italian trattoria with this hearty, soul-warming beef and tomato stew.
This classic dish combines tender chunks of beef, aromatic herbs, and rich tomatoes to create a memorable meal that’s perfect for chilly evenings or Sunday family gatherings.
Ingredients:
• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
• 2 large onions, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, roughly chopped
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cans (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
Step 1: Season beef chunks generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown meat in batches until golden (about 5 minutes per batch).
Step 2: Remove meat and set aside. In the same pot, sauté onions, carrots, and celery until softened (5-7 minutes).
Step 3: Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in wine and scrape bottom of pot to release browned bits.
Step 4: Return meat to pot. Add tomatoes, broth, bay leaves, and rosemary. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 2-2.5 hours until meat is tender.
Pro Tip: Don’t rush the browning process – it’s crucial for developing deep flavors. For the best results, make this stew a day ahead; letting it rest overnight allows the flavors to meld perfectly.
Hearty Hungarian Goulash-Style Beef Stew
Transport your taste buds to Eastern Europe with this rich, warming Hungarian Goulash-style beef stew.
This classic comfort dish combines tender chunks of beef, sweet paprika, and colorful vegetables in a thick, savory broth that’s perfect for cold evenings.
Your kitchen will fill with an irresistible aroma as this traditional dish slowly simmers to perfection.
Ingredients:
• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tablespoons Hungarian paprika
• 2 large onions, diced
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 2 red bell peppers, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
• Salt and black pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
Step 1: Season beef chunks with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon paprika.
Step 2: Heat oil in a large Dutch oven and brown meat in batches until golden (about 5 minutes per batch).
Step 3: Remove meat and sauté onions until translucent (5-7 minutes).
Step 4: Add garlic, remaining paprika, and caraway seeds, cooking for 1 minute.
Step 5: Return meat to pot, add tomato paste, vegetables, and broth.
Step 6: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2-2.5 hours until meat is tender.
Pro Tip: For the most authentic flavor, use genuine Hungarian sweet paprika – it’s distinctly different from regular paprika. Also, don’t rush the simmering process; giving the stew enough time allows the meat to become perfectly tender and the flavors to fully develop.
Slow-Cooked Asian Five-Spice Beef Stew
Slow-Cooked Asian Five-Spice Beef Stew combines the aromatic warmth of Chinese five-spice powder with tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef chunks.
This comforting dish brings together the sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors that are characteristic of Asian cuisine, all while requiring minimal hands-on preparation time.
Ingredients:
• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons ginger, grated
• 2 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 star anise pods
• 2 carrots, cut into chunks
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• Green onions for garnish
Cooking Instructions:
Step 1: Heat oil in a large pan and brown beef chunks in batches until golden brown on all sides.
Step 2: Transfer beef to your slow cooker.
Step 3: In the same pan, sauté onions, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.
Step 4: Add five-spice powder and cook for 30 seconds.
Step 5: Pour in soy sauce, vinegar, and broth, stirring to combine.
Step 6: Transfer mixture to slow cooker along with star anise and carrots.
Step 7: Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours until beef is tender.
Step 8: Stir in brown sugar before serving and garnish with green onions.
Pro Tip: For the best results, don’t skip the browning step – it develops a rich flavor base that makes all the difference. You can also prep all ingredients the night before and store them separately in the refrigerator to save time in the morning.
Mediterranean Herb and Olive Beef Stew
Mediterranean Herb and Olive Beef Stew is a hearty, aromatic dish that combines tender beef chunks with the vibrant flavors of herbs, olives, and vegetables.
This comforting stew brings the essence of Mediterranean cuisine to your kitchen, perfect for those chilly evenings when you crave something both nourishing and flavorful.
Ingredients:
• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
• 2 onions, chopped
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup mixed olives, pitted
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
Step 1: Season beef chunks with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pot and brown meat in batches until golden (about 5 minutes per batch).
Step 2: Remove meat and sauté onions, carrots, and celery until softened (5-7 minutes).
Step 3: Add garlic and tomato paste, cook for 1 minute.
Step 4: Return meat to pot, add wine, and simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Add broth, herbs, and bay leaves. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 1.5 hours.
Step 6: Add olives and cook uncovered for 30 more minutes until meat is tender.
Pro Tip: For the most flavorful results, make this stew a day ahead – the flavors will deepen overnight in the refrigerator. Also, don’t skip the browning step; it’s crucial for developing rich flavor and proper texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What key ingredients do you need for a classic beef stew recipe?
You’ll need chuck beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, beef broth, and tomato paste as core ingredients. Adding red wine, garlic, and fresh herbs enhances the rich flavors.
How long should you cook beef stew for the most tender results?
Cook your beef stew for 2.5 to 3 hours on low heat until the meat falls apart easily. The slow cooking process breaks down tough connective tissues and creates tender results.
What cut of beef works best for making stew?
Choose chuck roast or beef shoulder for the best results. These cuts contain enough fat and connective tissue to become tender and flavorful during the slow cooking process.
How can you thicken beef stew without using flour?
Purée some of the cooked vegetables and return them to the pot, or add mashed potatoes. You can also reduce the liquid by simmering uncovered for 15-20 minutes.
What’s the secret to developing deep flavor in beef stew?
Brown the meat thoroughly before stewing and deglaze the pan with wine or broth. Adding aromatic vegetables and letting them caramelize creates a rich, complex taste.
Final Thoughts
These six beef stew recipes offer something for everyone, from classic comfort food to international flavors.
Remember to choose well-marbled meat and brown it properly for the best results.
Don’t rush the cooking process – letting your stew simmer slowly develops those rich, complex flavors you’re after.
Feel free to adjust seasonings and vegetables to your taste, and don’t forget to serve your stew with crusty bread or rice to soak up the delicious gravy.
With these recipes in your arsenal, you’ll master the art of beef stew in no time.
