Hearty Beef Vegetable Stew

Featured in: Homemade Soups & Stews

This dish combines tender beef chuck with a medley of fresh vegetables like carrots, potatoes, celery, and peas. Browned beef is slowly simmered in savory beef broth, red wine, and tomato paste along with bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary for a rich, warming flavor. The stew thickens beautifully with a cornstarch slurry if desired, and seasoning is adjusted to taste before serving. Ideal for a cozy dinner, this hearty meal yields six satisfying portions.

Updated on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 12:24:00 GMT
A hearty beef and vegetable stew simmering with rich flavors and vibrant colors.  Save to Pinterest
A hearty beef and vegetable stew simmering with rich flavors and vibrant colors. | mellowspice.com

A rich, comforting stew packed with tender beef, hearty vegetables, and savory herbs—perfect for chilly evenings.

This stew has become a family favorite, bringing warmth and comfort on cold days.

Ingredients

  • Meats: 2 lbs (900 g) beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • Vegetables: 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced, 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced, 2 celery stalks, sliced, 1 large yellow onion, chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 cup (150 g) frozen peas
  • Liquids: 4 cups (1 L) beef broth (gluten-free if needed), 1 cup (240 ml) dry red wine (optional substitute with more broth), 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • Spices & Herbs: 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried rosemary, ½ tsp black pepper, 1½ tsp salt (plus more to taste)
  • Other: 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp cold water if thicker stew desired)

Instructions

Step 1:
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat.
Step 2:
Season beef cubes with salt and pepper. Working in batches, brown the beef on all sides. Remove and set aside.
Step 3:
Add remaining olive oil to the pot. Add onion and celery, sauté for 4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Step 4:
Stir in tomato paste, then add carrots and potatoes. Return browned beef to the pot.
Step 5:
Pour in beef broth and red wine. Add bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary. Bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
Step 6:
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours, or until beef is fork-tender. Stir occasionally.
Step 7:
Add peas in the last 10 minutes of cooking. If you prefer a thicker stew, stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer until thickened.
Step 8:
Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Warm bowl of beef and vegetable stew garnished with fresh herbs and crusty bread.  Save to Pinterest
Warm bowl of beef and vegetable stew garnished with fresh herbs and crusty bread. | mellowspice.com

Sharing this stew at the dinner table always creates warm family moments and fond memories.

Required Tools

Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, chefs knife, cutting board, wooden spoon, ladle

Allergen Information

Contains none of the major allergens. If using store-bought broth, check for gluten or other allergens. Wine is optional and can be omitted or replaced.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 410, Total Fat: 17 g, Carbohydrates: 27 g, Protein: 35 g per serving.

Savory beef and vegetable stew bubbling in a Dutch oven, perfect for cozy dinners. Save to Pinterest
Savory beef and vegetable stew bubbling in a Dutch oven, perfect for cozy dinners. | mellowspice.com

This stew is even better the next day as the flavors develop. Serve with crusty bread for a complete meal.

Recipe FAQs

What cut of beef works best?

Beef chuck cut into 1-inch cubes is ideal for slow cooking; it becomes tender and flavorful during simmering.

Can I use other vegetables?

Yes, substituting sweet potatoes for regular potatoes adds a sweeter note, and additional root vegetables can enhance texture.

Is red wine necessary?

Red wine adds depth but can be omitted or replaced with extra broth for a milder taste.

How do I thicken the stew?

Mix cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry, then stir it in during the last cooking minutes until thickened.

Can this be made gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free beef broth, and ensure all other ingredients are free from gluten-containing additives.

What herbs complement this dish?

Bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary provide a traditional, savory aroma that enhances the beef and vegetables.

Hearty Beef Vegetable Stew

Tender beef and vegetables simmered with herbs for a rich, comforting dish perfect for chilly evenings.

Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
135 minutes
Overall Time
160 minutes
Created by Hannah Clarke

Recipe Category Homemade Soups & Stews

Skill Level Medium

Cuisine American

Total Yield 6 Number of Servings

Dietary Details No Dairy, No Gluten

What You Need

Meats

01 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes

Vegetables

01 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
02 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
03 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 1 large yellow onion, chopped
05 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 1 cup frozen peas

Liquids

01 4 cups beef broth (gluten-free if required)
02 1 cup dry red wine (optional; substitute with additional broth)
03 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Spices & Herbs

01 2 bay leaves
02 1 teaspoon dried thyme
03 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
04 ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
05 1½ teaspoons salt, plus more to taste

Other

01 3 tablespoons olive oil
02 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (optional, for thickening)

How To Make

Step 01

Heat Oil: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat.

Step 02

Brown Beef: Season beef cubes with salt and pepper. In batches, brown all sides of beef. Remove and set aside.

Step 03

Sauté Aromatics: Add remaining olive oil to pot. Sauté onion and celery for 4 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Step 04

Combine Vegetables and Tomato Paste: Stir in tomato paste, then add carrots and potatoes. Return browned beef to pot.

Step 05

Add Liquids and Herbs: Pour in beef broth and red wine. Add bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary. Bring mixture to a simmer, scraping browned bits from pot bottom.

Step 06

Simmer Stew: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours until beef is fork-tender, stirring occasionally.

Step 07

Add Peas and Thicken: Stir in frozen peas during the last 10 minutes. If desired, add cornstarch slurry and simmer until thickened.

Step 08

Season and Serve: Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Tools Needed

  • Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon
  • Ladle

Allergy Details

Review all components for potential allergens and talk to your doctor with any questions.
  • Contains no major allergens. Verify broth for gluten if needed.
  • Wine is optional and can be omitted.

Nutrition Details (per serving)

This nutritional breakdown is for your information and isn't a substitute for health advice.
  • Total Calories: 410
  • Total Fat: 17 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Proteins: 35 g