Description
Hearty beef stew simmers with rich, tender chunks of meat and root vegetables, creating a comforting one-pot wonder. Warm spices and slow-cooked depth invite you to savor each spoonful of this classic, soul-satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 to 3 pounds chuck roast, trimmed and cubed into bite-sized pieces
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- 1 sprig fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- 2 or 3 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon beef bouillon
- 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
Liquid and Thickening Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional, or use 1/2 cup beef broth)
- 7 to 8 cups beef broth
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (lite or reduced sodium)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 large Russet potatoes, diced into chunky bite-sized pieces
- 2 1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 medium white onion, diced small
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 2 to 3 drops Kitchen Bouquet (optional)
Instructions
- Carefully slice beef into uniform, bite-sized chunks, preserving some marbled fat for enhanced flavor profile.
- Create a robust seasoning blend by mixing flour with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Thoroughly coat each beef piece in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Ignite a heavy skillet with olive oil over robust heat, methodically searing beef chunks until golden brown on all surfaces.
- Transfer beautifully caramelized beef pieces directly into the slow cooker, preserving those delectable browned surfaces.
- Deglaze the scorching skillet with red wine, capturing every concentrated flavor fragment from the pan’s bottom.
- Gently sauté diced onions in butter until they transform into translucent, aromatic morsels.
- Combine all liquid ingredients: beef broth, tomato paste, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, creating a rich, complex liquid foundation.
- Introduce minced garlic, aromatic herbs like rosemary and thyme, along with bay leaves to infuse deep, layered flavors.
- Fold in diced potatoes and frozen mixed vegetables, distributing them evenly throughout the liquid mixture.
- Prepare a cornstarch slurry to provide luxurious thickness, whisking until perfectly smooth.
- Submerge the slow cooker lid and allow the stew to simmer on low temperature for eight hours, developing profound, melded flavors.
- During final moments, extract herb sprigs and discard, then incorporate a touch of Kitchen Bouquet for enriched color.
- Finish with a final butter swirl, allowing it to melt and create a silky texture.
- Perform a final seasoning adjustment, then serve alongside freshly grated Parmesan and crusty artisan bread.
Notes
- Choose beef with marbling for deeper, richer flavor that melts into the stew during slow cooking.
- Searing meat develops complex caramelized notes, creating a more robust taste profile through Maillard reaction.
- Use low sodium broth to control salt levels, allowing precise seasoning throughout cooking process.
- Consider substituting root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for varied nutritional complexity and unique taste dimensions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg