You know those drizzly days where your plans get canceled, the couch becomes your best friend, and all you want is something warm that smells amazing while it cooks? Yeah. That’s beef stew weather.
Honestly, this recipe has been my go-to since I moved into my first apartment and didn’t have a clue how to cook anything that didn’t involve boiling pasta. It’s hearty, simple, and gives you that slow-cooked flavor without making you hover over the stove all day.
Also, your whole house is gonna smell unreal—like, “neighbors peeking through the window” good.
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Classic Cozy Beef Stew
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
Hearty, rich, and deeply comforting, this cozy beef stew is perfect for chilly nights or lazy weekends. A one-pot wonder packed with tender beef, veggies, and love.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt + pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, cut into chunks
- 3 potatoes, peeled + cubed
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine (or more broth)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Optional: peas, mushrooms, or frozen green beans
Instructions
- Toss beef cubes in flour, salt, and pepper.
- Heat oil in a large pot and sear beef until browned on all sides. Don’t crowd the pan.
- Add onions and garlic. Sauté until soft and golden.
- Deglaze the pot with wine, scraping up all those delicious brown bits.
- Add potatoes, carrots, broth, tomato paste, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
- Cover and simmer on low for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Add peas or other optional veggies and cook for another 10-15 minutes.
- Serve with crusty bread or over rice. Enjoy!
Notes
Make ahead for even better flavor the next day. Crusty bread is basically required.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: beef stew, cozy dinner, one-pot meal, hearty recipe
❓ FAQs: Beef Stew Edition
Can I use a slow cooker?
Totally. Just brown the beef first (seriously, don’t skip that part), then throw everything in the slow cooker on low for 7-8 hours.
What cut of beef works best?
Chuck roast is your BFF here. It’s got enough fat to stay juicy after a long cook. Avoid lean cuts unless you like sadness.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Heck yes. Stew is like revenge—it’s best served cold… then reheated and devoured hot.
I hate wine. Can I skip it?
Yep. Use extra broth or even a splash of balsamic vinegar for some depth.
Can I freeze it?
Oh for sure. Just cool it completely first. Then freeze in batches so you’ve got a backup plan for lazy days.
🧣 Conclusion: Rainy Days, Full Bellies, Happy Hearts
This stew isn’t just dinner — it’s a whole vibe. It’s for nights when you’re wrapped in a blanket burrito, bingeing something old on Netflix, and craving comfort without doing a ton of work.
Make it once, and it’ll be your rainy day ride-or-die. Honestly? You might start hoping for a thunderstorm just to have an excuse.
