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This dutch oven beef stew is proof that a handful of humble ingredients, done right, beats any fancy shortcut. Chuck beef gets browned and braised low in red wine and stock until it's fall-apart tender, with carrots and potatoes soaking up all that deep, savory flavor. There's no secret ingredient here - just good technique, and I'll walk you through every step.
Chef's note · Brown the beef in three batches, not one. Crowded meat steams, and grey stew is the #1 thing readers write me about.
The trick here isn't adding something so drastically new that all of a sudden you have something better than anyone else. It's all about how to develop these flavors and deepen them with the same ingredients as everyone else.
Keeping it really simple is key. That all comes down to technique. I can help you there. Follow along and I'll show you how.
Good to Know
Ingredients matter. Good beef, stock, and good red wine MATTER. Now, does that mean you need to buy a $30 bottle of wine for this to turn out okay? Absolutely NOT. Just don't expect to buy the $4 bottle of wine from Trader Joe's and expect high quality out of it. I live in North Carolina, and recently found a local wine Biltmore they have a Red Blend I really enjoy and used for this recipe.
The beef that you use in the beef stew is usually a chuck. You can get this pre-cut at most grocery stores. Chuck is generally not considered the best cut of meat, and the only reason that isn't a make-it-or-break-it here is that you are basically braising it in red wine and beef stock until it's tender. All this to say, you don't have to buy $20+ in beef for this recipe, so don't go buying tenderloin for this.
Note: I was also making a potato pie the day I made this and the cheese & bacon made their way into this picture. Disregard. Or don't because it was actually super delicious cheese... just saying.
Using a Dutch Oven
If you know you know. Dutch ovens are excellent, and I now have two I love them so much. It has a more non-stick surface than stainless steel while still giving you a beautiful sear. I make all my soups and stews in them, like my Dutch oven chili. For example, in this recipe, we brown out beef and then use red wine to deglaze the pan (when you add a liquid to a pan that has brown bits on the bottom) and capture an absolutely fantastic amount of flavor.
While you can do this in stainless steel pans, dutch ovens are also made out of iron and offer wonderfully even cooking. It's just a 10/10 for me. You also don't need to spend $400 on them. Amazon and Home Goods have them for around $50 and they still work just fine!
Substitutions
One of the best things about this dutch oven beef stew is how forgiving it is. For the carrots, you could absolutely use the baby carrots or the one's pictures below. I actually found that the big ones are cheaper, but if I would have had baby carrots in the house, I would have used those vs buying new ones. Just use what ya have! The same goes for potatoes. Baby potatoes, red potatoes, or russets. All would do well in this recipe if you are looking to use what you have around.
Don't Forget
The wine you used in the recipe should pair beautifully with your meal. You'll have undertones of it soaked all through your dish. If you are the type to panic about what wine to accompany your dinner, this one will be an easy target.
I would also suggest a yummy crusty bread like a baguette or French loaf for dragging through the bottom of your bowl (or the pan) to soak up all the little bits left.
Want to round out the table? A side of parmesan roasted potatoes or a scoop of garlic butter rice makes this dutch oven beef stew a proper Sunday dinner.
Leftovers?
This dutch oven beef stew tastes just as good the next day, for certain. Simply reheat on the stove or microwave and you're done.
Want to level up? By the next day, this natural coagulates and thicken up. If you have any pie crust in the fridge/freezer this would be an excellent filling for a beef pie. I'll work on a recipe for that for ya.
Dutch Oven Beef Stew FAQ
What is the best cut of beef for stew?
Chuck is the classic choice. It has enough fat and connective tissue that it turns meltingly tender as it braises, so there's no need to buy an expensive cut - save the tenderloin for another night.
How long does dutch oven beef stew take?
Plan on about 3 to 3½ hours. It's only 10 minutes of prep, then a long, gentle braise on low heat until the beef is fall-apart tender and the sauce is rich. It's hands-off time, not work.
How do you thicken beef stew?
Dredging the beef in a little flour before browning thickens it as it cooks, and the stew reduces and thickens more the longer it simmers. Want it even thicker? Stir in a cornstarch slurry near the end - and it thickens up even more overnight.
Can you make beef stew in a crockpot instead of a dutch oven?
Yes. Brown the beef and deglaze with the wine first (don't skip that - it's where the flavor lives), then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours until tender.
Can you make beef stew ahead of time or freeze it?
Both. It honestly tastes even better the next day once the flavors settle, and it freezes beautifully - cool it completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
What do you serve with beef stew?
A crusty baguette for soaking up the sauce is a must. Roasted or mashed potatoes, buttered rice, and a simple green salad all round it out - plus a glass of the same red wine you cooked with.
📖 Recipe
Beef Stew
Equipment
- Ladle or large serving spoon
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Stew Beef - chuck or shoulder
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil - for meat browning
- 2 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
- 2 Small Yellow Onion - diced
- 1 tablespoon Garlic
- 2 tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
- ½ cup Red Wine
- 2 cups Beef Stock
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 2 large Carrots
- 3 medium Potatoes
- 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 2 Bay Leaf
- 4 sprigs Fresh Thyme
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- Kosher Salt
- Fresh Ground Pepper
Instructions
- Start by removing your meat from the packing and placing it on a paper towel lined plate or tray. Use an additional paper towel to place on top of the meat to absorb as much excess moisture as possible.
- Place your Dutch Oven or large pot on high heat and add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
- Wait until your pan is just about ready, and then season ONLY the meat that you are about to put into the pan. If salted too early, the meat will start to release additional moisture and it will stick.
- Add your first batch of beef to the pan and flip only once you have achieved a nice golden crust. Remove and set aside.
- Repeat until all of your meat is browned. Mine took 3 batches. Don't rush. This is how you level up your dish.
- Set the beef aside, as we will return it to the pan a bit later.
- Add the butter and onions to the pan. Stir and cook for around 3-5 minutes or until golden grown.
- Add the garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Mix in the flour until all the moisture has been absorbed.
- Pour in your red wine, beef stock, tomato paste, and mix. Once combined you can add everything else.
- Once it comes to a simmer, taste and adjust the kosher salt & fresh ground pepper to your liking.
- Simmer for 3-4 hrs or until the beef and potatoes are tender.
- Serve with a glass of the same red wine you used for the recipe and some crusty bread.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Dry beef browns better: Pat the cubes dry and salt them just before searing. A wet surface steams instead of building that deep brown crust.
- Sear in batches: Crowding the pot drops the temperature and the beef steams. Give the pieces room and work in rounds for real color.
- Low and slow wins: Let it gently simmer for 3-4 hours. That's what turns tough beef fork-tender and melds all the flavors.
- Even better tomorrow: Like most stews, the flavor deepens overnight. Keeps 3-4 days in the fridge and freezes for up to 3 months.
- Serve it right: Crusty bread for sopping and a glass of the same wine you cooked with make it a full meal.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated from the listed ingredients, and provided as a courtesy.
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