Best Ever Beef Stew
Deeply comforting, rich, and absolutely satisfying
Get ready to dive into pure comfort with this Best Ever Beef Stew — a timeless, cozy dish packed with tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a broth so flavorful it warms you from the inside out. Whether it’s a cold evening or you’re simply craving something homey and filling, this step-by-step recipe will help you create a bowl of classic goodness everyone will rave about.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Beef stew meat | 2 pounds |
| All-purpose flour | ½ cup |
| Seasoning salt | 1 tablespoon |
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Black pepper | ½ teaspoon |
| Onion, diced | 1 large |
| Bay leaves | 2 |
| Worcestershire sauce | ¼ cup |
| Water | 2 cups |
| Beef demi-glace or Swanson Flavor Boost | 2 heaping teaspoons |
| Red-skinned potatoes, diced | 4 medium–large |
| Carrots, peeled & sliced | 3 large |
| Celery, diced | 1 stalk |
Instructions
Step 1: Dredge the Beef
Place the stew meat in a large zip-top bag. Add the flour and seasoning salt, then shake until every piece is well coated.
Step 2: Brown the Meat
Warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated beef and sear until nicely browned on all sides. Move the browned meat into your slow cooker and sprinkle with black pepper.
Step 3: Cook the Onion
Using the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for about 2 minutes, scraping up the flavorful browned bits. Add the onions to the slow cooker.
Step 4: Deglaze the Skillet
Pour the Worcestershire sauce, water, and demi-glace into the skillet. Whisk everything together, loosening any remaining browned bits from the pan. Once blended, remove from heat and set aside.
Step 5: Add the Veggies
Layer the potatoes, carrots, celery, and bay leaves over the meat and onions in the slow cooker.
Step 6: Bring It All Together
Pour the Worcestershire-broth mixture from the skillet over everything in the slow cooker.
Step 7: Let It Slow Cook
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, until the beef is meltingly tender and the vegetables are perfectly cooked.
Step 8: Finish and Serve
Remove the bay leaves before serving. Give the stew a gentle stir, then ladle into bowls and enjoy warm.
