Beef Stew

Rich French-style stew. Fork-tender meat, hearty vegetables.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 2½ hrs Serves: 6

Ingredients

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  • 3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1½" cubes
  • ¼ cup flour, for dredging
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
  • 4 carrots, cut into 1" pieces
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

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  1. Pat beef dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper, then toss with flour to coat lightly.
  2. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches (don't crowd the pan). Remove to a plate. Takes about total.
  3. Add onion to pot. Cook until softened, . Add garlic and tomato paste, cook until fragrant.
  4. Pour in wine, scraping up browned bits from bottom. Simmer .
  5. Return beef and any juices to pot. Add broth, balsamic, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 1½ hours.
  6. Add potatoes and carrots. Cover and cook until vegetables and beef are tender.
  7. Stir in peas, cook . Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Notes

  • The key: Brown meat in batches. Crowding = steaming = no flavor.
  • Chuck roast vs stew meat: Buy a chuck roast and cut it yourself. Pre-cut "stew meat" is often random scraps.
  • Oven method: After step 5, cover and bake at 325°F for the remaining time.
  • Storage: Even better the next day. Keeps 4 days refrigerated, 3 months frozen.

Adapted from Once Upon a Chef