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Hearty Beef Stew with Potatoes and Carrots

Hearty Beef Stew with Potatoes and Carrots
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Hearty Beef Stew with Potatoes and Carrots is a classic, soul-warming comfort meal featuring tender slow-cooked beef, creamy potatoes, and sweet carrots simmered together in a savory, herb-infused broth. This recipe is perfect for cozy family dinners or batch cooking, delivering rich, layered flavors and satisfying textures year-round.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

  • 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into bite-sized chunks

Vegetables

  • 4 medium Russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 3 large carrots, sliced
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

Liquids & Fats

  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste

Thickeners & Seasonings

  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch (for thickening)
  • 2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp black pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves

Instructions

  1. Prepare the beef: Cut the beef chuck roast into even bite-sized chunks, then pat dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Brown the meat: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef pieces on all sides until they develop a deep golden crust, creating rich caramelized flavors.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: Remove the browned beef and add diced onions and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
  4. Build the stew base: Stir in tomato paste and cook for one minute. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the mixture and cook briefly to form a roux. Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking to prevent lumps. Add thyme and bay leaves.
  5. Simmer with meat and vegetables: Return the beef to the pot, then add peeled and chopped potatoes along with sliced carrots. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
  6. Thicken and season: If the stew needs thickening, mix cornstarch with a little water to create a slurry, then stir it into the stew. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves before serving.

Notes

  • Brown the beef well to develop deep, rich flavor.
  • Cut vegetables uniformly for even cooking and attractive presentation.
  • Cook low and slow to tenderize the beef fully.
  • Avoid over-stirring to keep potatoes and carrots intact.
  • Layer flavors by adding herbs early and optionally fresh herbs at the end.

Nutrition

Keywords: Beef stew, Hearty stew, Comfort food, Potatoes, Carrots, Slow cooked, One-pot meal

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/hearty-beef-stew-with-potatoes-and-carrots/