Beef stew is the kind of meal that wraps you up in a warm hug after a long day. We all need a reliable go-to recipe like this one: tender stew meat that melts in your mouth, veggies that soak up every bit of flavor, and a broth so rich you’ll be tempted to sip it straight from the pot. When I first made this stew, I wasn’t expecting it to become a family favorite overnight. But something about the way the meat simmers slowly with potatoes and carrots—well, it’s magic. I even caught myself hovering over the stove, pretending to ‘taste test’ more often than I should have. If you’re like me and always on the hunt for Easy Dinner Recipes that are cozy, reliable, and don’t involve a dozen steps, this one’s a winner. Whether you’re into beef stew, pork stew meat recipes, or curious how ground beef crockpot recipes slow cooker style stack up—this stew checks all the boxes. We’re talking serious comfort food here, folks. Plus, it plays nice with Crock Pot Slow Cooker Beef, lamb stew meat recipes, and honestly? You can riff on it all year long.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Hearty Beef Stew Recipe
3) Ingredients for Hearty Beef Stew
4) How to Make Hearty Beef Stew
5) Tips for Making Hearty Beef Stew
6) Making Hearty Beef Stew Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Hearty Beef Stew
8) Try these Main Course Recipes next!
9) Hearty Beef Stew
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This beef stew is a hearty and reliable pick for cozy nights in.
Slow cooking brings out deep, rich flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
You can customize with pork, lamb, or even ground beef stew meat.
Works beautifully in a Crock Pot or slow cooker if you’re going hands-free.

2) Easy Hearty Beef Stew Recipe

I don’t know about you, but when the weather cools down, my appetite turns toward big bowls of comfort. And nothing screams comfort louder than a beef stew that’s been simmering away, making your whole house smell like you’ve got a personal chef.

This is one of those easy dinner recipes that hits the mark every single time. It uses simple, everyday ingredients, but the flavors come together like they’ve been working in harmony for years. The broth is thick, the meat’s tender, and those vegetables? Total flavor sponges.

We’ve had it with beef, lamb, pork, even ground beef in the slow cooker. Honestly, you can throw in whatever stew meat you’ve got. That’s part of what makes this such a keeper among stew meat recipes crock pot slow cooker beef fans. It’s flexible, low-maintenance, and just flat-out delicious.

3) Ingredients for Hearty Beef Stew

Beef Stew Meat: Go with chuck or round cut into bite-sized pieces. You want something that gets tender over time, not dry or stringy. Trust me, you’ll taste the difference.

Olive Oil: Just enough to sear the beef and sauté the veggies. It brings out flavor before anything else goes in the pot.

Onion: One large onion chopped nice and fine. It adds sweetness and a little bulk to the broth without overwhelming anything.

Garlic: Three cloves. Mince them small. They melt into the base and deepen the flavor without making it “garlicky.”

Flour: A few tablespoons to help thicken the stew. Toss it in right after the onions and garlic start to soften.

Beef Broth: Go for the good stuff if you can. You’ll want four cups for depth and richness.

Red Wine: Optional but worth it. It brings body and a deep, earthy flavor that’s hard to beat.

Tomato Paste: Adds some acidity and rounds out the broth. Don’t skip it unless you absolutely have to.

Dried Thyme and Rosemary: These give the stew that classic slow-cooked flavor with just a teaspoon of each.

Bay Leaves: Two is enough. Remove before serving or you’ll hear about it at the dinner table.

Carrots and Potatoes: The dependable duo. Peel and cut them thick so they hold their shape while soaking in the flavor.

Salt and Pepper: Season along the way and taste as you go. It’s the only way to get it right.

Fresh Parsley: Just for garnish. It gives a pop of color and a little freshness at the end.

4) How to Make Hearty Beef Stew

Step 1. Start with heating up a tablespoon of olive oil. Brown the stew meat in batches to get that golden crust. It’s worth the extra pan time.

Step 2. Once the meat’s out, toss in more oil, then sauté the onion until soft. Add garlic and cook for another minute until the kitchen smells amazing.

Step 3. Stir in the flour and let it cook for a couple minutes. You’re building a base here, not making paste.

Step 4. Pour in the broth slowly while stirring. Then add the wine (if using), tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Bring it all together.

Step 5. Add the browned beef back into the pot. Cover and simmer it on low for an hour. This is where the magic happens.

Step 6. Toss in your carrots and potatoes. Let it go for another hour or so uncovered. That’s how you get the broth to thicken up naturally.

Step 7. Pull out the bay leaves. Give it one final taste, season if needed, and serve it with chopped parsley on top.

5) Tips for Making Hearty Beef Stew

Don’t skip the browning step. It’s tempting when you’re short on time, but it really builds flavor and makes this one of those easy dinner recipes you’ll come back to.

If the broth feels too thin, give it time. Let it simmer uncovered and stir it now and then. The flour from earlier will do the work if you let it.

Want to switch it up? This works with pork stew meat recipes, lamb stew meat recipes, or even ground beef crockpot recipes slow cooker style. Play around with the protein. Just keep the base the same and you’re golden.

6) Making Hearty Beef Stew Ahead of Time

Beef stew gets better overnight. That’s not just talk. The flavors deepen and settle in when it rests in the fridge for a day.

If you’re making it ahead, cool it completely first. Then store it in a sealed container and pop it in the fridge. When you reheat it, go low and slow on the stove or use your slow cooker on warm.

It’s a perfect prep-ahead meal for weeknights when you want to eat well but your energy says nope. You can even freeze it in portions if you want to space it out over the month.

7) Storing Leftover Hearty Beef Stew

We store ours in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid. It’ll keep in the fridge for four to five days easy.

If you’re freezing it, portion it first. That way, you only thaw what you need. Just make sure it’s fully cooled before it hits the freezer to avoid condensation inside the container.

When reheating, I like to add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. Microwaves work too, but stovetop reheating keeps the texture better if you’ve got the time.

8) Try these Main Course Recipes next!

9) Hearty Beef Stew