John Gozzo'S Beef Stew
A hearty beef stew featuring tender beef, flavorful herbs, and fresh vegetables, perfect for comforting family dinners or gatherings, with rich tomato and aromatic seasonings.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 lb. lean beef ⓘ
- 3 carrots, scrubbed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces ⓘ
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed ⓘ
- 3/4 lb. onions, peeled and chopped ⓘ
- 2 bay leaves ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper ⓘ
- 1 tsp. crumbled dried rosemary ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. flour ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped ⓘ
- 10 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped ⓘ
- 1 stalk celery, diced ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, diced ⓘ
- 2 lb. ripe tomatoes, chopped or 3 cups chopped canned plum tomatoes ⓘ
- 2 cups hot water ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil ⓘ
Instructions
- Cut beef into bite-sized cubes.
- In a Dutch oven or heavy saucepan, heat the olive oil and add onions and bay leaves.
- Cook slowly for approximately 10 minutes.
- Add meat, rosemary, and black pepper and brown for an additional 10 minutes.
- Lightly sprinkle the flour over the meat.
- Add chopped garlic and parsley to the meat.
- Simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
- Add celery, green pepper, and carrots and stir.
- Cover and cook slowly for approximately 20 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider marinating the beef in red wine for a few hours before cooking. If you don't have fresh parsley, dried can be used, but reduce the amount. You can substitute sweet potatoes for regular potatoes for a unique twist. To thicken the stew further, you can add a cornstarch slurry towards the end of cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty beef stew with crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Farmers Soup for a comforting dinner. Top with additional fresh parsley for a pop of color. For a side, consider a simple green salad to balance the richness of the stew.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the stew has thickened too much. You can also freeze the stew for up to 3 months; just ensure it's cooled completely before freezing.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of John Gozzo'S Beef Stew contains roughly 2932 calories, with 45g protein, 213g carbohydrates, and 220g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (135% of the Daily Value), iron (129% of the Daily Value), and potassium (106% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 534mg per serving (23% 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 different type of meat for this stew?
Yes, you can use other meats like chicken or pork, but cooking times may vary. Chicken will cook faster, while pork should be cooked until tender. Beef recipes generally provide a heartier flavor, but feel free to experiment with what you have on hand.
How can I make this stew vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, replace the beef with hearty vegetables like mushrooms or tempeh, and use vegetable broth instead of water. You can also add beans for protein. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure all ingredients are properly cooked.
What can I do if the stew is too salty?
If your stew turns out too salty, adding a peeled potato can help absorb excess salt. Cook the stew with the potato for about 15 minutes, then remove it before serving. You may also add more water or low-sodium broth to dilute the saltiness.
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).