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Dairy Free
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Gluten Free
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Nut Free
One-Pot Beef Stew Recipe
This classic beef stew is the comfort food you’ll want to make on a chilly weekend. Beef, onion, carrots, potatoes, and tomato sauce come together in one pot.
If you are feeding a crowd, double it easily and prepare it ahead of time, and just simmer to keep it warm and tender. After a few hours of cooking, the meat becomes amazingly tender! The flavors all combine into a deliciously comforting and cozy meal.
Table of Contents
How do I choose the right kind of meat?
When choosing beef, any cut works. Because stew simmers for hours, even the inexpensive cuts will become tender, soft and will melt in your mouth. I don’t necessarily go for the meat labeled “beef stew meat” at the butcher shop.
You should ask the butcher what kind of meat it is before buying. I prefer to buy uncut meat and cut it at home into stew pieces myself. If you are on a budget, look for the front shoulder, or also known as the beef chuck roast.
What ingredients are in this soup?
For the potato, I like to use Yukon gold potatoes for their silky-smooth taste. But russet potatoes work well too. Stew recipes are commonly made with carrots, onions, and tomato paste.
While most beef stew recipes have red wine, I recommend making it with the tomato flavors. That’s because that is how my family always made it. That way, you avoid the overpowering taste of the wine.
The rest of the ingredients are simple, ones that you most likely always have on hand. Olive oil, water, salt and pepper to taste, and fresh dill for garnish. (You can also use parsley instead of the dill.)
Key Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Beef – use beef stew meat.
- Carrots – if using organic carrots don’t peel them.
- Yellow onion – Chopped very small.
- Potatoes – I like to use the organic yellow potatoes
- Tomato paste – use organic
- Salt & pepper – to taste
- water – about 1 qt
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
How to make One-Pot Beef Stew
Steps 1 & 2: Sauté beef
Heat extra virgin olive oil in a cast iron pot (or any pot).
Chop beef, then sauté in oil for 1 minute on medium-high heat. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
Step 3: Add potatoes
Peel and chop the potatoes into fours (you don’t want small pieces, that would make it mushy), add to the beef.
Step 4: Add onion
Chop the yellow onion, add to the pot.
Step 5: Add carrots & tomato
Peel and slice carrots. Add them into the pot along with the tomato paste.
Step 6: Add water
Add just enough water to cover all the ingredients.
Steps 7 & 8: Season and simmer
Add salt and black pepper to taste.
Cover the lid and simmer for 1 hour on the lowest heat.
Step 9: Garnish
Garnish with fresh dill and serve!
Expert Tips
- Ensure the ingredients are spread evenly in the pot to prevent overcrowding. This allows each component to cook uniformly. This beef stew cooks best in a large dutch oven dish.
- Allow the stew to rest for a few minutes after cooking. This helps the flavors meld even further.
- Use fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or even fresh rosemary to add delicious flavors. Dry bay leaves work wonders in beef stew recipes!
- Meal prep with this traditional beef stew recipe for a lot of homemade delicious meals throughout the week!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can. Chuck or stew meat works well, but use other cuts such as sirloin if you prefer. I do not recommend using ground beef.
Crusty bread, rice, or mashed potatoes are great options to serve with beef stew.
Certainly, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a subtle kick. Adjust according to your spice preference.
Looking for more one-pot recipes? Here are some top ones from the blog:
- This Simple One Pot Cauliflower Soup with Cheese is a tasty comfort food!
- You’ll love this All in One Pot Winter Squash Soup. Enjoy a delicious soup perfect for home cooks that’s rich and nutritious.
Other beef recipes:
If you tried this One Pot Beef Stew or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
One-Pot Beef Stew Recipe
Equipment
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Cast iron pot
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Vegetable peeler
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spatula
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 lb beef, boneless
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 7 potatoes, depending on their size
- 3 Tbsp organic tomato paste
- salt and pepper
- water
- fresh dill, for garnish
Instructions
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Heat extra virgin olive oil in a cast iron pot (or any pot).2 Tbsp olive oil
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Chop beef, then sauté in oil for 1 minute on medium-high heat. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.2 lb beef,, salt and pepper
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Peel and chop the potatoes into fours (you don’t want small pieces, that would make it mushy), add to the beef.7 potatoes,
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Chop the yellow onion, add to the pot.1 yellow onion,
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Peel and slice carrots. Add them into the pot along with the tomato paste.4 carrots,, 3 Tbsp organic tomato paste
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Add just enough water to cover all the ingredients.water
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Add salt and black pepper to taste.salt and pepper
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Cover the lid and simmer for 1 hour on the lowest heat.
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Garnish with fresh dill and serve!fresh dill,
Notes
- Precut ingredients to make the process go faster.
