Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe (Classic Stovetop) + Video
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Old Fashioned Beef Stew is likely the first thing you imagine when you think of “comfort food.” And for good reason!! From totally tender beef to healthy, delicious vegetables to that incredibly thick, rich broth, there’s not a single person at your table that’ll have a drop left in their bowl! This is the perfect recipe for the cold winter months!
This is my mom’s recipe for beef stew and the one I grew up on. My entire family loved it then and still loves it today.
This is one of those new recipes that you can make for a dinner party or even a lazy Sunday at home.
If this is your first time trying stovetop beef stew, don’t skip the video at the bottom of the post!
Old Fashioned Beef Stew
What is the secret to good, tender beef stew?
Well, there are a couple of secrets – the perfect cut of meat for melt-in-your-mouth bites, wholesome veggies cooked to perfection, and a curated collection of spices and seasonings for a savory, soulful broth!
And the best hearty stew recipe comes together in less than an hour… Just like this one does!!
I’ve compiled my absolute favorite comfort food dinner ideas into this list of 30 minute recipes you can make any day of the week.
The only thing missing is some bread to serve on the side – good thing I have a recipe for that, too!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – The oil is used to sear the meat, so there’s room for substitutions.
I like the flavor and aroma of extra virgin olive oil, but you could use vegetable or canola oil instead with little to no effect on the recipe! - Tomato Sauce – A bit of acidity is really needed here, or else the whole recipe just sort of falls flat.
A bit of tomato paste can be used as a substitute, though you’ll need to water the stew down a bit to compensate for the lack of liquid. - Beef Cubes – Boneless beef chuck or bottom round are my recommendations for old fashioned beef stew.
For a little more information on your best choices for hearty beef stew, check out the FAQ below! - Red Potatoes – You’d be hard-pressed to find a comfort food recipe without potatoes – they’re filling, satisfying, and always tasty.
The best kinds of potatoes for this easy beef stew recipe are waxy and substantial. While I personally prefer using red potatoes, Yukon Gold work well too!
Tips for the Best Stovetop Beef Stew
- Deglaze the Pot – Once the beef is all browned, add a bit of the beef broth to the pan before returning the cooked meat and other ingredients to the pot.
This will release the meat that’s seared onto the bottom of the pot and helps capture all of the juices that may have otherwise cooked away. - Do It In One Dish – Working off of the tip above, we want to relish every last bit of flavor that the meat gives us!
So be sure to do your searing and stewing in the same pot. - Make The Most Of Your Veggies – While they’re not in the base recipe, onions and garlic cannot be underestimated!
If you have some extra time on your hands, take a few minutes to cook these two flavor machines in the olive oil before adding the beef.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Stovetop Beef Stew
Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. You can also freeze any remaining stew for up to 3 months!
Reheat right on the stovetop on medium-high heat, stirring regularly until warmed through. No need to thaw frozen stew – drop it right in the pot and heat it up!
Old Fashioned Beef Stew FAQ
Browning the beef before adding the broth and other veggies adds a HUGE flavor boost. The addition of flour, while also thickening the broth, browns and bolsters the flavors in our stovetop beef stew as well.
Acidic ingredients like tomato paste or wine are necessary for dimension and brightening an otherwise dull set of ingredients, and the sweetness found in the carrots and GravyMaster round the whole stew out for a wonderful balance!
Basically, all of the ingredients we have here work together to make the ultimate flavorful old fashioned beef stew!
Lean cuts of beef are best for making a hearty stew recipe, particularly if you’re looking for a faster cook time. My top two options are chuck and bottom round, but short rib and sirloin are a couple of other great choices.
Whichever cut you go with, be sure to chop into bite-sized pieces!
Celery, peas, and onions are among the most common veggies found in old fashioned beef stew!
In addition to these, and the potatoes and carrots already found in our stew, mushrooms, and turnips are terrific for adding body and texture.
There’s really no limitation on stew veggies, but you do need to keep in mind when you’re adding these vegetables to the mix. Leafy greens will wilt if added too early, and potatoes take far longer to soften than, say, peas. Timing is key!
There are so many things that can go with this tender meat! You can add a slice or two of crusty bread or fill a bowl full of steamed veggies, like green beans.
Also, remember that since you’re making a big batch of this delicious recipe, you might not even need another layer of flavor in terms of adding a side. It’s one of the most comforting dishes on its own and can truly be a simple one pot meal.
You can pair just about any toppings with this beef stew meat. As the beef cooks, you can prep and dice some aromatic herbs like fresh parsley or even fresh cilantro to put on top.
Another great option for this homemade beef stew is diced onions and a little bit of kosher salt and black pepper. A good stew can always have some shredded cheese on top as well.
The good news is that with this cut of beef and other added ingredients, you can add any toppings that you’re craving to this original recipe.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe (Classic Stovetop) + Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 pounds boneless beef chuck, or bottom round, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 pound red potatoes, diced small
- 1 pound baby carrots, cut into halves
- 4 cups beef broth, or up to 6 cups as needed, to cover beef in the pot
- 1 tablespoon Gravy Master
Instructions
- In a gallon size resealable bag, combine flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper and all paprika. Set aside.
- In a large heavy bottom pot, heat oil over medium heat. While the oil heats, add beef pieces, one handful at a time, to the bag with seasoned flour. Shake to coat beef with flour. Remove beef from flour and shake gently to remove loose flour. Place coated beef in the hot pan, and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, to brown on all sides. Continue adding beef and turning cooked pieces. Remove any pieces that are fully cooked and place them in your upside down pot lid or on a plate.
- When all beef is browned, return it all to the pot. Add tomato sauce, potatoes, carrots, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and Gravy Master. Add 4 cups of beef broth to the pot, adding more as needed to cover the beef and vegetables.
- Cover pot with the lid and cook for 25-30 minutes, until stew is thick and veggies are tender.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published September 2012, updated and republished December 2023
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Wonderful this dish. I make a similar stew every so often. Difficult to resist to this!
Oh yeah – love beef stew! We have a high today of 78. Fall is already in the air and I'm ready. I want to make this and go camping. Tell your mom thanks for this one – a true family classic. Have a great week Donna.
It looks hearty and comforting!
Yummy Donna, I love recipes that are passed on and on and on like this one. It looks wonderful and perfect for these starting to be cool fall days!
Got this for the crock pot? 🙂
No, I sure don't. The fabulous flavor in this recipe comes from browning the meat first. This recipe wouldn't translate to a crock pot. But perhaps I will work on a crock pot recipe for this fall.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
XOXO
Donna
if it helps any, I brown ALL my meat before I put it in the crockpot, no matter what the recipe.. can't beat added layers of flavor. Then, as in stew, I add water or red wine to the browned bits (Fond) and loosen with a wooden spoon, then add that to the meat.. then proceed with the rest of the recipe. or, if the veggies need to be browned as well, I take the meat out after it's browned and toss in the veggies real quick to get some color and flavor, THEN loosen the fond with the water or wine and add to the slow cooker.
This is one of my favorite comfort meals! I make southern biscuits to go with it!thank you so much for sharing! I love all your recipes I haven't found one I didn't enjoy 😋
Got this for the crock pot? 🙂
This sounds and looks so delicious, but what is gravy master?
Its a seasoning and browning sauce. You can find it in your local grocery store. Either in the baking aisle by the seasonings or by the gravy. Enjoy!
What is Gravy Master?
Its a seasoning and browning sauce. You can find it in your local grocery store. Either in the baking aisle by the seasonings or by the gravy. Enjoy!
I don't know about other areas, but around here we don't have Gravy Master, but we DO have Kitchen Bouquet.. same thing. it's a browning agent, awesome for those that can't quite make a dark gravy, but comes out sorta grey? lol.. Just a tiny bit of this makes any gravy dark and deeelicious. Usually found somewhere close by the Worcestershire sauce in our stores, I'm guessing in others as well.
I made this tonight. It was DELICIOUS! Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe.
This is a staple in my house. My partner loves it and there's always so much leftovers for us to save for later! I do replace the beef with honey sausages though, gives the stew just a little more depth. Your cheesy bacon beer soup is also another favourite around the house.
Love your blog!
http://www.soulshacklesx.wordpress.com
I don't have gravy master. What can I substitute?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086RTHQRL/ref=ewc_pr_img_2?smid=A3AQNY1BS7UJ9L&psc=1
Hi. What can I use instead of gravy master? It's snowing and I can't get to the store!
The perfect stew for a cold night. This is a go to recipe around here!
What a delicious recipe! I thought my recipe for beef stew was great, but yours is far superior! Great flavor! I didn’t have Gravy Master but I used a TBSP of Liquid Aminos and it was perfect. Thanks for sharing!
Can you use a can of tomatos instead of tomato sauce
Hi Debbie!
It should be okay to use a can of tomatoes instead!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
I just found this recipe online. Super easy to make and so good!!!! Will definitely make again, but will add celery, onions and mushrooms next time. Yum!!!
Hi Leisha!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn