When the weather turns cool, there’s nothing quite like a hearty beef stew to bring comfort to your table. I love how a good stew can make any evening feel special and warm. You’re in for a treat because I have two fantastic beef stew recipes for you today.
Whether you prefer fluffy toppings or a garden full of vegetables, these easy beef stew recipes will become favorites. Both are simple to follow and promise a truly satisfying meal. Let’s get cooking!
Jump to Recipe:
Warm Up with Our Best Beef Stew with Fluffy Dumplings Recipe
This beef stew is perfect for a chilly day. You get tender beef in a rich sauce, topped with soft, cloud-like dumplings. It’s truly a meal that makes you feel good inside.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Perfect Beef Stew
- Beef Chuck: Use chuck roast for the best results; it gets super tender when cooked slowly in the stew.
- Fresh Herbs: A little thyme or a bay leaf can really deepen the stew’s taste and make it more comforting.
What You Need for Beef Stew with Dumplings
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup plain flour (for dumplings and thickening)
- 1/2 cup milk (for dumplings)
- 1/4 cup cold butter, cubed (for dumplings)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
⏱️ Time: 2 hours 30 minutes🍽️ Yields: 6 servings
How to Make Beef Stew with Dumplings
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Season your beef cubes well with salt and pepper. Heat cooking oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches until it has a nice color all over. Take the beef out of the pot and set it aside on a plate.
Step 2: Start the Stew Base
Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the same pot. Cook them for about 5-7 minutes until they soften. Stir in a couple of tablespoons of flour and cook for another minute. Pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
Step 3: Simmer and Add Dumplings
Return the browned beef to the pot. Cover the pot and let the stew gently simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is very tender. About 20 minutes before you plan to serve, make the dumplings by mixing the remaining flour, cold butter, and milk. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling mixture onto the simmering stew, cover, and cook until the dumplings are puffed up and cooked through.
📝 Final Note on Beef Stew
You can make the beef stew ahead of time and add the dumplings just before you serve it. This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
Hearty Beef Stew with Fresh Garden Vegetables
This beef stew is packed with goodness, featuring tender beef and a colorful mix of vegetables. It’s a complete meal in one pot, full of great flavors that everyone will enjoy.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Vegetable Beef Stew
- Root Vegetables: Don’t skip the potatoes and parsnips; they add a wonderful earthy taste and texture to your stew.
- Tomato Paste: A little bit of tomato paste helps deepen the stew’s color and gives it a richer, more complex taste.
What You Need for Beef Stew with Vegetables
- 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 parsnip, peeled and sliced (optional)
- 6 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/4 cup flour (for thickening)
- Salt, pepper, and a bay leaf
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
⏱️ Time: 2 hours 15 minutes🍽️ Yields: 6-8 servings
How to Make Beef Stew with Vegetables
Step 1: Prepare Beef and Veggies
Pat the beef dry and season generously with salt and pepper. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat cooking oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef on all sides in batches. Remove the beef and set aside. Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery to the pot and cook until slightly soft, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 2: Build the Stew Base
Stir in the flour and cook for about a minute. Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute, stirring it into the vegetables. Gradually pour in the beef broth, stirring constantly to avoid any lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to get all the browned bits.
Step 3: Simmer and Finish with Vegetables
Return the browned beef to the pot along with the bay leaf. Cover and let it simmer for about 1.5 hours. Then, add the cubed potatoes and sliced parsnips (if using). Continue to simmer for another 30-45 minutes, or until both the beef and all the vegetables are fork-tender. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed before serving.
📝 Final Note on Vegetable Beef Stew
For extra richness, you can add a splash of red wine (about 1/2 cup) before adding the beef broth in Step 2. This hearty beef stew freezes very well, making it perfect for future easy meals.
