1-Gathering and Prepping Your Ingredients: Start your beef stew recipe adventure by preparing all your ingredients it’s a simple step that keeps things organized and fun! Dice the 2 lb of stewing beef into 1-1/2-inch cubes, peel and chop the potatoes and carrots, and chop the onion and celery. This initial setup takes about 20 minutes and sets the stage for a smooth cooking process.

2-Next, it’s time to brown the beef cubes: Heat 3 Tbsp of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then work in small batches to brown the beef that’s been coated in a mix of 3 Tbsp flour, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. This step seals in the flavors and gives your stew that rich, savory base don’t skip it!

3-Building the Flavor Base: Once the beef is browned and set aside, add the chopped onion to the pot. Sauté it for about 3 minutes until it’s softened, adding a bit more oil if needed. This creates a tasty foundation that makes your beef stew recipe truly stand out.

4-Pour in 6 cups of beef broth and the optional 1/2 cup of dry red wine, then scrape up those yummy browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in the browned beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, 3 Tbsp tomato paste, and 1 tsp dried rosemary to combine everything nicely your kitchen will smell amazing already!

5-Simmering to Perfection: Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let the stew simmer for 60 to 90 minutes until the beef is fork-tender. Check on it occasionally and add a splash of water or broth if it looks too dry. Once the meat is ready, whisk in the cornstarch slurry made from 2 Tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 Tbsp cold water, and cook for 1-2 minutes to thicken the sauce.

6-Finally, add the 3/4 cup of peas and simmer for another 5-10 minutes to keep them bright and fresh. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper as needed. Adaptations are easy for vegan options, swap beef with plant-based proteins, or tweak for gluten-free by checking your ingredients. For a helpful variation, try our chicken stir-fry recipe for a lighter twist on hearty meals.

7-Serve this beef stew recipe hot with crusty bread or biscuits. Both stovetop and slow cooker methods work well; the stovetop gives quicker results in about 1 hour 30 minutes total, while a slow cooker lets flavors meld over several hours for extra tenderness.