Hearty and Tender Old Time Beef Stew

Classic Old-Time Beef Stew combines tender beef and hearty vegetables for a comforting, family-friendly meal made with simple ingredients and spices.

Course Dinner, Main Course, Stew

Cuisine Western

Diet Gluten Free, Low Lactose

Keyword beef stew, comfort food, family dinner, old fashioned beef stew, winter

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 2

Total Time 2 20

Servings people

Calories 310

Season the stew beef cubes with salt and pepper. Heat a little bit oil in a heavy-bottomed pot, such as a large Dutch oven, over medium-high heat. Brown meat in batches to avoid crowding, browning each piece well. Once browned, remove the beef and set it aside.
Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pot. Then, cook the onion for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly scraping the bottom of the pan, until slightly softened.
Pour in cold water, beef bouillon, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce, salt, sugar, pepper, lemon juice, paprika, and allspice. Stir everything together, cover the pot, and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 1.5 hours.
After 1.5 hours, remove the bay leaf and add carrots and celery to the pot. Cover and continue simmering on medium-low heat for 20-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. If using frozen peas, thaw them first, then add them to the stew. Stir the mixture well and taste, adjusting seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
In a small bowl, mix starch with a bit of water to create a slurry, then add this to the stew. Continue stirring as the stew thickens. Once thickened, remove from heat.
Serve the stew hot, with your choice of sides like mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, steamed rice or crusty bread for soaking up the flavorful gravy.