Hearty Stew
A hearty, flavorful beef stew featuring tender cubes of round steak, vegetables, and rich seasonings, perfect for comforting family dinners and cold evenings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean boneless round steak ⓘ
- 2 cups cubed carrots ⓘ
- 1 medium onion ⓘ
- 2 1/4 cups cubed red potatoes ⓘ
- 1 (14 1/2 oz.) no-salt tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 cup water ⓘ
- 1 cup brewed coffee ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. molasses ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 beef bouillon cube ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. thyme ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. marjoram ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. hot sauce (optional) ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
Instructions
- Trim fat from the steak.
- Spray a Dutch oven with cooking spray and brown the steak on all sides.
- Remove the steak and place on paper towels to drain. Wipe grease from the oven.
- Re-coat the Dutch oven with cooking spray.
- Add carrots and onion, sauté until slightly brown.
- Return the steak to the pan.
- Add all other ingredients: no-salt tomatoes, water, brewed coffee, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon cube, thyme, marjoram, hot sauce (optional), and bay leaf.
- Stir and simmer on low for 1 1/2 hours.
- Add beans and simmer for an additional 30 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a rich flavor, consider using beef broth instead of water. If you prefer a thicker stew, you can add a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with cold water before simmering. Feel free to substitute the round steak with chuck roast for a more tender texture. Adding a splash of red wine can enhance the flavor profile as well.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the hearty stew with crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a fulfilling meal. A side of steamed green beans or a fresh salad can complement the dish nicely. This stew is also great for meal prep; make a large batch and enjoy it throughout the week. It pairs beautifully with Bernice'S Chicken Supreme for a comforting dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the stew to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a little water if needed to reach the desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Hearty Stew contains roughly 585 calories, with 11g protein, 70g carbohydrates, and 31g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (73% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (56% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (39% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 470mg per serving (20% 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 other types of meat for this stew?
Yes, you can substitute the lean boneless round steak with other cuts like chuck roast or even chicken for a different flavor. If using chicken, adjust the cooking time as it cooks faster than beef.
Is it possible to make this stew in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! To adapt this for a slow cooker, brown the meat and sauté the vegetables first, then add all ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the meat is tender.
Can I make this stew vegetarian?
Yes! To create a vegetarian version, omit the meat and replace beef bouillon with vegetable bouillon. Use vegetable broth instead of water and add more hearty vegetables like mushrooms and lentils for protein.
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).