Beef Stew
Total Time
2 hours and 45 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
2 hours and 40 minutes
Rating
4.99 out of 5 stars
(207)
Ingredients
6 servings
- 1.2 kg / 2.4lb chuck beef (, cut into 3.5 cm / 1.5" cubes (Note 1)
- 1 tsp each salt and pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil (, divided)
- 1 large onion (, halved then cut into 1 cm / 2/5" slices)
- 4 garlic cloves (, minced)
- 3 carrots (, cut into 2.5cm / 1" pieces on the diagonal)
- 2 celery stalks (, cut into 2.5 cm / 1" pieces)
- 1/3 cup / 50g flour
- 3 cups / 750ml beef broth / stock (, salt reduced)
- 2 cups / 500 ml red wine (, bold and dry (Cab Sauv, Burgundy, Merlot) (Note 2)
- 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves (, fresh or dried)
- 4 sprigs thyme
- 400 g / 14 oz baby potatoes (, halved)
- More salt and pepper (, to taste.)
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Preparation
Step 1
Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper.
Step 2
Heat 1 1/2 tbsp oil in a large, heavy based casserole pot over high heat until just starting to smoke.
Step 3
Add 1/3 of the beef and brown aggressively all over - about 4 minutes. Remove to bowl, repeat with remaining beef, adding more oil if required.
Step 4
Turn down heat to medium high. Add 1 tbsp oil if required. Add onion and garlic, cook for 2 minutes until onion is softened slightly and golden on the edge.
Step 5
Add carrot and celery, stir for 1 minute to coat in flavours.
Step 6
Sprinkle flour evenly across surface, then stir to coat.
Step 7
Add broth, red wine, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to dissolve tomato paste and flour into liquid.
Step 8
Add cooked beef (including any juices), thyme, bay leaf and potato. Stir. Water level should almost fully cover everything (see video), if not, add a touch of water.
Step 9
Bring to simmer, then adjust heat to low / medium low so it's simmering gently. (Note 3 for other cooking methods)
Step 10
Cover and cook for 1 hour 45 minutes or until beef is pretty tender (check with 2 forks at 1.5 hrs).
Step 11
Remove lid and simmer for further 30 minutes or until sauce reduces slightly. It should be like a thin gravy (see video) and beef should now be very tender.
Step 12
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 13
Serve over creamy mashed potato with a sprig of fresh thyme for decoration or a sprinkle of parsley (Note 4).
Step 14
Save recipe for the next time?
