Best Ever Beef Stew

**Best Ever Beef Stew: A Hearty, Flavorful Comfort Food**

There’s nothing more comforting than a warm, hearty bowl of **beef stew** on a chilly day. With tender chunks of beef, savory vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth, this dish is the definition of comfort food. Whether you’re looking to impress guests at a dinner party or simply crave a nourishing meal for your family, **Best Ever Beef Stew** is guaranteed to deliver both satisfaction and flavor. This classic recipe is easy to prepare, and the slow cooking process results in incredibly tender beef and a deliciously savory, melt-in-your-mouth broth.

Let’s dive into the details of what makes this beef stew recipe truly the best ever and how to make it at home.

### What Makes This Beef Stew the Best?

Several factors come together to elevate this beef stew recipe:

1. **Perfectly Tender Beef**: Using chuck roast or stew meat ensures that the beef becomes tender after hours of slow cooking, allowing it to absorb the savory flavors of the broth.
2. **Flavorful Broth**: The broth is rich and well-seasoned, with a combination of beef stock, herbs, and a touch of red wine that adds depth to the flavor profile.
3. **Fresh Vegetables**: The addition of carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery provides sweetness, heartiness, and texture, making every bite satisfying.
4. **Slow Cooking**: Simmering the stew for hours allows the flavors to meld together and the beef to reach perfect tenderness, making it a dish that only gets better with time.

### Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients to create a flavorful and filling beef stew. Here’s what you’ll need:

#### For the Stew:
– **2 pounds beef stew meat** (or chuck roast cut into 1-2 inch cubes)
– **2 tablespoons olive oil** (for browning the beef)
– **Salt and pepper** (to season the beef)
– **1 large onion** (chopped)
– **2 cloves garlic** (minced)
– **3 large carrots** (peeled and sliced into rounds)
– **3 medium potatoes** (peeled and cut into cubes)
– **2 celery stalks** (chopped)
– **1 cup red wine** (optional, adds depth to the broth)
– **4 cups beef broth** (or stock)
– **2 tablespoons tomato paste** (adds richness to the broth)
– **2 teaspoons dried thyme** (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
– **1 bay leaf**
– **1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce** (for extra umami flavor)
– **1 tablespoon flour** (optional, for thickening)

#### For Garnish (optional):
– **Fresh parsley** (chopped)

### Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Ever Beef Stew

#### Step 1: Brown the Beef
Start by seasoning the beef stew meat with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Brown the beef on all sides, which will take about 6-8 minutes. This step is key to developing rich flavors in the stew. After browning, remove the beef and set it aside.

#### Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot using a wooden spoon—these are full of flavor!

Next, add the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, to caramelize it and bring out its sweetness.

#### Step 3: Deglaze with Red Wine (Optional)
If you’re using red wine, pour in 1 cup of wine to deglaze the pot. Stir to incorporate the wine, making sure to scrape up any remaining bits of beef and vegetables stuck to the bottom of the pot. Let the wine simmer for about 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.

#### Step 4: Add the Broth and Seasonings
Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, bay leaf, and any remaining salt and pepper. Stir everything together. Return the browned beef to the pot and bring the mixture to a simmer.

#### Step 5: Slow Cook the Stew
Once everything is combined, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the stew simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. This slow cooking process will tenderize the beef and allow the flavors to develop.

#### Step 6: Add the Vegetables
After the beef has cooked and become tender, add the carrots, potatoes, and celery to the stew. Stir to combine and let the stew simmer for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the broth is flavorful.

Step 7: Thicken the Stew (Optional)
If you’d like a thicker stew, you can create a simple slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of flour with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir the slurry into the stew and cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the stew thickens to your desired consistency.

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