“Best Ever Beef Stew”
Best Ever Beef Stew
Rich, hearty, and the ultimate comfort food
In this delicious guide, we’re diving into the heart of comfort cooking with the Best Ever Beef Stew — a dish that embodies warmth, flavor, and nostalgia. Perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you crave something cozy, this stew delivers tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a deeply savory broth. Follow this simple, step-by-step recipe to create a soul-soothing classic that everyone will love.
🛒 Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Beef stew meat | 2 pounds |
| All-purpose flour | ½ cup |
| Seasoning salt | 1 tablespoon |
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Black pepper | ½ teaspoon |
| Onion, diced | 1 large |
| Bay leaves | 2 |
| Worcestershire sauce | ¼ cup |
| Water | 2 cups |
| Beef demi-glace (or Swanson Flavor Boost) | 2 heaping teaspoons |
| Red-skinned potatoes, diced | 4 medium to large |
| Carrots, peeled and sliced | 3 large |
| Celery, diced | 1 stalk |
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Coat the Beef
Place the stew meat in a resealable plastic bag. Add the flour and seasoning salt, then shake well until all the pieces are evenly coated.
Step 2: Brown the Meat
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the floured beef and sear on all sides until browned. Transfer the browned meat to the bottom of your slow cooker and season with black pepper.
Step 3: Sauté the Onion
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for about 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits for extra flavor. Transfer the onions to the slow cooker.
Step 4: Deglaze the Pan
Pour the Worcestershire sauce, water, and beef demi-glace into the skillet. Whisk to combine, scraping the bottom to release any remaining flavor. Once mixed, remove from heat and set aside.
Step 5: Add Vegetables
To the slow cooker, add diced potatoes, sliced carrots, celery, and bay leaves on top of the meat and onions.
Step 6: Combine Everything
Pour the Worcestershire-broth mixture from the skillet over the contents of the slow cooker.
Step 7: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are perfectly cooked.
Step 8: Final Touch
Before serving, remove the bay leaves. Give everything a gentle stir, then ladle into bowls and serve warm.
