Description
A hearty and comforting red wine beef stew brimming with tender chunks of beef, robust red wine, earthy potatoes, and sweet carrots. Slow-simmered to perfection, this classic dish is ideal for cozy dinners and makes an excellent meal for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Stew
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups dry red wine
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
Vegetables
- 1.5 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, cut into chunks
- 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into 1-inch pieces
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
For Serving (Optional)
- Fresh chopped parsley
- Crusty bread
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Season the beef cubes generously with salt and black pepper. In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until well-browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer browned beef to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add diced onions and cook, stirring, until softened and just starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Deglaze and Build Flavor: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor. Pour in red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits. Bring to a simmer and let wine reduce by half, about 8–10 minutes.
- Add Liquids and Seasoning: Return browned beef and any juices to the pot. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and bay leaves. Stir to combine and bring back to a simmer.
- Simmer the Stew: Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 1.5 hours. Stir occasionally and skim off any foam that rises to the top.
- Add Vegetables: Add potatoes, carrots, and celery to the pot. Stir to combine, then continue simmering uncovered for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are soft.
- Finish and Serve: Discard bay leaves. Taste the stew and adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle stew into bowls, garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve with crusty bread.
Notes
- Browning the beef in batches prevents overcrowding, ensuring a richer flavor.
- If stew thickens too much, add a splash of beef broth or water to reach desired consistency.
- This stew tastes even better the next day as flavors further develop.
- Swap Yukon gold potatoes for red potatoes or sweet potatoes if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg