The Best Beef Stew Recipe: Hearty Comfort in Every Spoonful

Hearty beef stew brings comfort during chilly evenings with its rich, warming flavors.

Aromatic herbs and tender meat create a delightful culinary experience that feels like a warm embrace.

Slow-cooked ingredients meld together, developing deep, complex tastes that dance across your palate.

Rustic and satisfying, this classic dish connects you to traditional cooking techniques passed down through generations.

Each spoonful tells a story of patience and careful preparation.

Robust vegetables and succulent meat chunks promise a meal that nourishes both body and soul.

Join me in crafting this delectable stew that will surely become a cherished recipe in your kitchen.

What You Need For Delia Smith Beef Stew

• Beef: Tender chunks perfect for a hearty, slow-cooked stew.

• Flour, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: Essential coating mixture for beef that adds flavor and helps create a rich exterior.

• Beef Broth, Red Wine: Flavorful liquids that provide depth and moisture to the stew.

• Potatoes, Carrots, Celery, Onions, Peas: Classic stew vegetables that add nutrition, texture, and traditional flavor.

• Tomato Paste, Rosemary: Concentrated tomato flavor and aromatic herb that boost the overall taste profile.

• Cornstarch, Water: Creates a smooth slurry to give the stew a rich, glossy consistency.

• Olive Oil: Used for browning meat and adding a subtle fruity undertone to the dish.

Cooking Delia Smith Beef Stew With Ease

Step 1: Prepare Savory Coating

Blend flour with aromatic garlic powder, sea salt, and cracked black pepper in a mixing bowl. Gently roll each beef chunk through the fragrant mixture, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 2: Sizzle and Caramelize

Warm olive oil in a robust Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Carefully place seasoned beef chunks and chopped onions, allowing them to develop a golden-brown exterior with deep, rich flavors.

Step 3: Deglaze and Build Flavor

Pour beef broth and robust red wine into the pot, using a wooden spoon to scrape up those delectable browned bits stuck to the bottom, releasing intense caramelized goodness.

Step 4: Create Hearty Vegetable Base

• Diced potatoes
• Sliced carrots
• Chopped celery
• Tangy tomato paste
• Fresh rosemary sprigs

Stir thoroughly to combine all components.

Step 5: Slow Simmer Magic

Cover the pot and reduce heat to low. Allow the stew to gently simmer, transforming tough meat into tender morsels and melding flavors for 90 minutes.

Step 6: Thicken and Enhance

Create a smooth cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch with cool water. Gradually pour into the stew, stirring constantly to achieve a luxurious, velvety consistency.

Step 7: Final Touch and Seasoning

Fold in sweet green peas and continue simmering for an additional 5-10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. Serve piping hot and enjoy!

Tips To Master Delia Smith Beef Stew

• Select Lean Cuts: Choose chuck roast or bottom round for tender, flavorful beef that becomes melt-in-your-mouth delicious during slow cooking.
• Master Browning Technique: Ensure meat is completely dry before searing to develop rich, deep caramelized flavors that enhance the overall stew taste.
• Control Liquid Consistency: Add cornstarch slurry gradually and stir constantly to prevent lumps and achieve perfect gravy-like thickness without making the stew too dense.
• Boost Vegetable Nutrition: Consider adding extra root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for increased nutrients and varied textures in your hearty stew.
• Balance Wine Selection: Use dry red wines like cabernet or merlot to add depth without overwhelming the meat's natural richness, creating a complex flavor profile.

Different Takes On Delia Smith Beef Stew

• Hearty Venison Stew: Replace beef with lean venison for a wild game version, keeping all other ingredients the same.
• Vegetarian Root Vegetable Stew: Swap beef with firm tofu or mushrooms, use vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a plant-based alternative.
• Gluten-Free Beef Stew: Use cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to coat meat, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Slow Cooker Method: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning beef, cook on low for 6-8 hours for tender meat and easy preparation.

What Pairs Well With Delia Smith Beef Stew

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Choose a robust red like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah to match the hearty beef flavors, complementing the wine already used in cooking.
• Craft Beer Companion: Select a malty dark beer such as a porter or stout, which will harmonize with the rich, savory stew and enhance its deep, complex taste profile.
• Rustic Bread Match: Serve with crusty sourdough or artisan bread to soak up the delicious gravy, adding textural contrast and helping to absorb the stew's intense flavors.
• Fresh Side Salad: Prepare a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette to cut through the stew's richness, providing a refreshing palate cleanser between hearty bites.

Best Way To Store Delia Smith Beef Stew

• Transfer cooled beef stew into airtight containers, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the stew away from raw ingredients to prevent cross-contamination.
• Pack the stew in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Label with the date and contents. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality and taste.
• Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Pour stew into a saucepan, add a splash of beef broth or water to prevent sticking.

Delia Smith Beef Stew FAQs

• Why coat beef in flour mixture before cooking?

The flour helps create a crispy exterior, seals in moisture, and thickens the stew sauce by absorbing liquids during cooking.

• Can I substitute red wine in the recipe?

Yes, you can use beef broth, grape juice, or non-alcoholic red wine as alternatives if you prefer not to use alcohol.

• How do I know when the beef is tender?

The beef is ready when it easily falls apart with a fork and can be cut with minimal effort, which typically occurs after slow simmering for about 90 minutes.

• What's the purpose of adding cornstarch slurry?

The cornstarch slurry helps thicken the stew’s consistency, creating a rich and hearty sauce without making it too heavy or dense.

Why Delia Smith Beef Stew Is A Classic

• Simplify Comfort Cooking: This hearty beef stew transforms complex flavors into an easy-to-prepare meal that anyone can master, regardless of cooking experience.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Swap vegetables or adjust spices to match personal preferences, making this recipe wonderfully adaptable for different tastes and dietary needs.
• Nourish Family Moments: A single pot creates a warm, satisfying meal perfect for gathering loved ones around the table, delivering rich flavors that spark conversation and create memories.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup and straightforward cooking process mean less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying delicious, home-cooked goodness with minimal effort.

Beef Stew Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 120 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Beef Stew brings classic comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending tender meat with rich, savory herbs and vegetables. Winter nights become warmer when you savor this soul-satisfying meal that connects generations through its timeless, wholesome goodness.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 2 pounds stewing beef, cubed

Vegetables:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pound potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3/4 cup peas

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon rosemary
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

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Instructions

1. Combine flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Thoroughly dredge beef chunks in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear beef pieces until golden brown on all sides, creating a rich caramelized exterior.
3. Add chopped onions to the pot, sautéing until they become translucent and slightly softened.
4. Pour beef broth and red wine into the pot, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
5. Incorporate diced potatoes, carrots, celery, tomato paste, and fresh rosemary into the liquid. Stir to distribute ingredients evenly.
6. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the stew to simmer gently for 1.5 hours, allowing flavors to meld and meat to become tender.
7. Create a cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch with water until smooth. Gradually stream the mixture into the stew, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
8. Add frozen peas and continue simmering for an additional 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and vegetables are heated through.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot in deep bowls with crusty bread.

Notes

• Experiment with different cuts of beef like chuck or short ribs for richer flavor and more tender meat.
• Use a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot to ensure even heat distribution and prevent burning.
• Enhance the stew’s depth by deglazing the pan with additional red wine or beef stock to capture all those delicious browned bits.
• For a gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour when coating the beef, maintaining the same seasoning rationale.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 105 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg