Awesome Beef Stew
A hearty beef stew with rich flavors from red wine, vegetables, and herbs, perfect for comforting family dinners or gatherings requiring a filling, savory dish.
Ingredients
- 3 cups water ⓘ
- 1 cup red wine ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley ⓘ
- 1/3 cup chopped celery tops ⓘ
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves ⓘ
- 1 envelope onion soup mix ⓘ
- 1 envelope au jus mix ⓘ
- 2 pounds stew meat, floured and seasoned
- 1 large can potatoes ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 6 to 8 boiling onions ⓘ
- 6 carrots, thickly sliced ⓘ
- 1 to 2 tablespoons oil ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the stew meat on all sides in oil.
- Transfer the browned meat to a large casserole dish.
- Combine water, red wine, chopped parsley, chopped celery tops, bay leaves, cloves, onion soup mix, and au jus mix; heat to boiling.
- Pour the boiling mixture over the meat in the casserole dish.
- Cover and bake at 325°F for 2 to 3 hours or until the meat is almost tender.
- Add more water or wine if necessary during cooking.
- Add the canned potatoes, chopped celery, boiling onions, and sliced carrots to the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for about 45 minutes or until the vegetables are done.
- If desired, thicken the stock before serving.
- Serve hot, ideally with sourdough bread.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using beef broth instead of water, and you can substitute the red wine with grape juice for a non-alcoholic option. Feel free to add your favorite herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra depth. If you don't have boiling onions, pearl onions make a great alternative. Remember to adjust seasoning based on your preferences to make it truly your own.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the beef stew hot, ideally with crusty sourdough bread to soak up the delicious broth. A side of coleslaw dressed with creamy Coleslaw Dressing (Creamy) adds a refreshing contrast. This stew also pairs well with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the stew gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture. You can also microwave individual portions, covered, for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Awesome Beef Stew contains roughly 1598 calories, with 25g protein, 188g carbohydrates, and 86g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (229% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (123% of the Daily Value), and potassium (106% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 753mg per serving (33% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a slow cooker for this beef stew?
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Brown the stew meat as directed, then transfer it to the slow cooker along with the other ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the meat is tender.
What can I add to make the stew thicker?
If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry and stir it into the stew during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Alternatively, mashing some of the potatoes can help thicken the broth naturally.
Is there a way to make this stew ahead of time?
Absolutely! This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. You can prepare it a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat gently before serving, and feel free to adjust the seasoning as needed.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).