The Best Hearty One-Pot Beef Stew Recipe for Cold Nights

Comfort and warmth merge perfectly in this hearty one-pot beef stew that promises to chase away winter’s chill.

Rustic flavors dance through tender meat chunks and vibrant vegetables.

Robust ingredients simmer together, creating a rich symphony of taste.

one-pot magic means minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction.

Fragrant herbs and slow-cooked beef invite you to savor each spoonful.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with this soul-warming culinary embrace.

Curl up with a bowl and let deliciousness warm you from the inside out.

One-Pot Beef Stew With All the Cozy Reasons to Make It Tonight

• Quick and Comforting Weeknight Savior: Perfect for busy families wanting a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen, this one-pot beef stew delivers maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.
• Slow-Cooked Tenderness Guaranteed: By simmering beef and vegetables for 1.5-2 hours, the recipe transforms tough meat cuts into melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness that warms you from the inside out.
• Winter Wellness Champion: Packed with nutrient-rich vegetables and protein-dense beef, this stew provides essential nutrients and energy during cold months, making it a nourishing one-pot solution for chilly evenings.
• Adaptable Crowd-Pleaser: Easy to customize with optional ingredients like red wine or different herbs, this recipe appeals to various taste preferences and skill levels, ensuring everyone from novice cooks to seasoned chefs can enjoy a satisfying meal.

One-Pot Beef Stew (Hearty) Ingredients

• Beef Cubes: Rich, tender protein that forms the hearty base of the stew, best when cut from chuck or round for maximum flavor and tenderness.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor foundation that adds depth and complexity to the stew, providing a savory and slightly sweet undertone.

• Thyme, Rosemary, Bay Leaf: Fragrant herbs that infuse the stew with earthy and woodsy notes, enhancing the overall taste profile.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright garnish that adds a fresh, clean finish to the dish.

• Carrots, Potatoes, Celery: Classic stew vegetables that provide texture, nutrition, and hearty substance to the meal, creating a complete one-pot dish.

• Beef Broth, Red Wine: Flavorful liquids that create a rich, deep sauce, with wine adding complexity and depth to the stew's taste.

• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that adds richness and helps thicken the stew.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor.
• Flour, Water: Simple thickening agents to create a more substantial sauce consistency.

• Olive Oil: Used for browning meat and sautéing vegetables, adding a subtle flavor and preventing sticking.

Beef Stew One-Pot Steps

Step 1: Sear the Beef

Heat a large pot over medium-high flame.

Drop beef pieces into the pot, working in batches to create beautiful golden-brown crusts.

Each piece should develop a rich, caramelized exterior.

Transfer seared beef to a nearby plate.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté until the onions become translucent and fragrant, releasing their sweet aroma.

Step 3: Create a Robust Foundation

Introduce tomato paste to the pot, stirring and cooking for about a minute to deepen the flavor profile and eliminate any raw taste.

Step 4: Add Colorful Vegetables

• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Celery

Stir everything together, creating a vibrant vegetable medley.

Step 5: Pour in Liquid Magic

• Beef broth
• Red wine (optional but recommended)

Scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

• Fresh thyme
• Rosemary
• Bay leaf
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 6: Slow Simmer to Tenderness

Return the seared beef to the pot.

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.

Cover and let the stew bubble away for 1.5 to 2 hours, allowing the beef to become meltingly tender.

Step 7: Thicken the Stew

If the stew needs a bit more body, whisk flour with water to create a smooth slurry.

Stir this into the pot and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the sauce reaches a perfect consistency.

Step 8: Final Touch

Pluck out the bay leaf and discard.

Give the stew a final stir.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming stew into bowls.

Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.

Serve with crusty bread for the ultimate comfort meal.

Stew Prep Tips for One-Pot Beef Dinners

• Sear beef cubes in small batches to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust, which locks in flavor and creates delicious caramelization.
• Adding red wine deepens the stew's complexity, but can be replaced with additional beef broth for a non-alcoholic version.
• Create a smooth flour slurry to adjust the stew's consistency without lumps, ensuring a velvety texture every time.
• Let the stew cook low and slow to transform tough beef cuts into melt-in-your-mouth tender meat, developing rich, layered flavors.
• Fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary elevate the dish, but dried herbs work equally well if fresh aren't available.

Reheating One-Pot Beef Stew

• Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the stew completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months. Potatoes might become slightly softer when thawed but will still taste delicious.
• Warm the stew over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of beef broth to restore moisture if the stew seems thick. Heat until the stew reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Place stew in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals. Stir between intervals to ensure even heating and prevent hot spots.

What to Serve With One-Pot Beef Stew

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah perfectly complements the rich beef flavors, cutting through the stew's hearty texture and enhancing its deep, savory notes.
• Create Rustic Bread Accompaniment: Crusty sourdough or hearty French bread becomes the ideal sidekick, perfect for soaking up the stew's delicious gravy and adding delightful textural contrast.
• Match with Earthy Side Salad: Fresh mixed greens with a tangy vinaigrette provide a bright, acidic counterpoint to the stew's heavy protein, cleansing the palate between each delicious bite.
• Serve with Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Silky, buttery mashed potatoes create a comforting base that absorbs the stew's flavorful liquid, offering an additional layer of warmth and richness to the meal.

Hearty One-Pot Beef Stew Recipe for Cold Nights Stew Versions

• Vegetarian Hearty Stew: Replace beef with firm tofu, tempeh, or seitan cubes. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth and maintain the same cooking method for a protein-rich plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Stew: Swap regular flour for cornstarch or arrowroot powder when thickening. Use gluten-free beef broth and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Protein Stew: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower or turnips to reduce carbohydrate content. Keep the meat and other vegetables the same, maintaining the rich flavor profile while supporting a low-carb diet.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Stew: Add olives, swap red wine for white wine, and incorporate Mediterranean herbs like oregano and basil. Include some diced zucchini or eggplant for an extra regional touch and vibrant flavor complexity.

FAQs

• Can I make this beef stew without wine?

Yes, you can simply replace the red wine with additional beef broth or beef stock. The wine adds depth but isn’t essential to the recipe’s success.

• Is it okay to use different cuts of beef?

Absolutely! Chuck roast, bottom round, or stew meat work great. Choose cuts with some marbling for more tender results. Just ensure you cut them into consistent, bite-sized cubes.

• How can I prevent the meat from becoming tough?

Brown the meat in batches, ensuring high heat and avoiding overcrowding. This creates a nice sear and helps keep the beef tender. Low and slow cooking also helps break down tough muscle fibers, making the meat more succulent.

• Can I prepare this stew in a slow cooker?

Yes! After browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables, transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the meat is fork-tender.

Hearty One-Pot Beef Stew Recipe for Cold Nights Recipe

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• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets culinary magic in this soul-warming Hearty One-Pot Beef Stew, perfect for chilly evenings. Robust beef, tender vegetables, and rich seasonings meld together, promising a delicious embrace that will satisfy and comfort you completely.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) beef chuck roast, cut into bite-sized cubes

Vegetables:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 4 cups (946 milliliters) beef broth
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) red wine (optional, can substitute with more beef broth)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons flour (optional, for thickening)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Heat oil in a robust pot, introducing beef cubes and caramelizing them thoroughly until rich golden surfaces develop, creating deep flavor foundations.
2. Transfer seared meat to a separate plate, reserving those aromatic meat juices within the cooking vessel.
3. Introduce diced onions and minced garlic into the identical pot, allowing them to soften and release their fragrant essence.
4. Incorporate tomato paste, stirring vigorously to integrate and awaken its concentrated flavor profile.
5. Layer root vegetables – carrots, potatoes, and celery – into the developing culinary landscape, ensuring even distribution.
6. Deglaze the pot with beef broth and optional red wine, extracting every nuanced brown morsel clinging to the bottom.
7. Infuse the liquid with aromatic herbs: thyme, rosemary, and a single bay leaf, complemented by measured salt and pepper.
8. Reunite browned beef with the vegetable medley, submerging ingredients in the richly seasoned liquid.
9. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, covering and allowing ingredients to meld and tenderize over 90-120 minutes.
10. Should the stew require additional body, craft a quick flour-water slurry, whisking into the bubbling mixture to achieve desired consistency.
11. Eliminate the bay leaf, preventing any potential bitter undertones.
12. Ladle into warm bowls, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.

Notes

• Sear beef in small batches to achieve a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in deep flavor and prevents steaming.
• Choose tough, marbled beef cuts like chuck roast or bottom round for maximum tenderness and rich taste after slow cooking.
• Create gluten-free version by replacing wheat flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder when thickening the stew.
• Elevate vegetable nutrition by adding root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for extra complexity and robust winter warmth.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg