Old Fashioned Beef Stew: The Ultimate Comfort Food Classic
Old Fashioned Beef Stew is pure comfort in a bowl, featuring melt-in-your-mouth chunks of beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich, savory broth seasoned with classic herbs and spices. Slow-simmered to perfection, this traditional American stew delivers deep flavor and satisfying warmth in every bite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
2 pounds beef stew meat (cubed chuck roast)
4 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cups beef broth
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 pounds red potatoes, cut into bite-sized chunks
10 ounces pearl onions
4 medium carrots, sliced
4 medium celery ribs, sliced
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 cup cold water
Instructions
1. Dust the beef with 2 tablespoons cornstarch, salt, and black pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. Add the beef and sear for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned on all sides.
4. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste; cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
6. Add potatoes, pearl onions, carrots, celery, sugar, basil, oregano, parsley, paprika, and allspice.
7. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 90 to 120 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Mix remaining cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry.
9. Slowly stir the slurry into the stew and cook a few minutes until thickened.
10. Taste, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve hot.
Notes
For best flavor, allow the stew to rest for 10–15 minutes before serving.
This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cups
- Calories: 316
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 970 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg