Description
Classic Beef Stew Comfort Bowl is a hearty and warming dish featuring tender beef cubes simmered with a medley of fresh vegetables in a rich beef broth infused with tomato paste and herbs. Perfect for a cozy family meal, this stew combines simple ingredients to create deep, comforting flavors over a slow stovetop simmer.
Ingredients
Beef and Broth
- 1 lb beef stew meat, cubed
- 5 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the beef: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, brown the beef stew meat on all sides until a deep brown crust forms. This enhances the stew’s flavor. Set browned beef aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same pot, add the chopped onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and beef: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen its flavor. Then return the browned beef to the pot, combining it with the sautéed vegetables.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Pour in the beef broth. Add the diced potatoes, dried thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer the stew: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer gently for 1-2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through, stirring occasionally.
Notes
- For extra richness, brown the beef well and deglaze the pot with a splash of red wine after sautéing the vegetables.
- Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper before serving.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors meld.
- Serve with crusty bread or over buttered egg noodles for a complete meal.
