Best Ever Beef Stew

Here’s a recipe for the best-ever beef stew:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 large carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Beef:
   • Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
   • In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat.
   • Brown the beef in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Transfer browned beef to a plate.
2. Sauté the Aromatics:
   • In the same pot, add the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil.
   • Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 5 minutes.
   • Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
3. Deglaze and Build the Stew:
   • Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.
   • Pour in the red wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
   • Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
   • Return the browned beef (and any juices) to the pot.
4. Simmer the Stew:
   • Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
   • Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
5. Add Vegetables:
   • Add the carrots, potatoes, and celery to the pot.
   • Cover and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
6. Thicken the Stew:
   • In a small bowl, mix the flour with a bit of water to create a slurry.
   • Stir the slurry into the stew and let it cook for another 10 minutes until the stew has thickened.
7. Season and Serve:
   • Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
   • Remove the bay leaves before serving.
   • Garnish with fresh parsley.

Tips:

• For an extra depth of flavor, you can marinate the beef cubes in red wine for a few hours before cooking.
• You can substitute the red wine with additional beef broth if preferred.
• Serve the beef stew with crusty bread or over a bed of mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.

Enjoy your delicious, hearty beef stew!