How to Prepare a Traditional Beef Stew in Simple English
Beef stew is a comforting and classic dish enjoyed by people all over the world. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner, especially on chilly days. The magic of beef stew lies in its simplicity—tender meat, flavorful vegetables, and a rich, hearty broth. Best of all, it’s easy to make with only a few basic ingredients. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to prepare a traditional beef stew using simple English, so anyone can follow along.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Before we start cooking, gather the ingredients listed below. These are common, so you can find them at most grocery stores:
- Beef: About 1–1.5 pounds of stew beef (cut into bite-sized chunks).
- Vegetables: 3–4 potatoes, 3 carrots, 2 celery stalks, and 1 onion.
- Flour: About 2–3 tablespoons of flour to coat the beef.
- Oil: 2–3 tablespoons of cooking oil (such as vegetable or olive oil).
- Beef broth: About 4 cups (or use water with beef bouillon cubes).
- Tomato paste: 2 tablespoons (this adds depth and richness).
- Seasoning: Salt, pepper, garlic powder (optional), and dried thyme or rosemary.
- Bay leaves: 2 (these add a nice fragrant flavor).
- Optional: A splash of red wine for extra depth (about ¼ cup).
Now that you have everything ready, let’s get started!
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Before you begin cooking, prep your ingredients. Chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Peel and dice the potatoes, slice the carrots into rounds, and cut the celery into small chunks. Finely chop the onion. Once the vegetables are ready, set them aside.
Next, prepare the beef. If your beef chunks are too large, cut them into smaller pieces. Pat the beef dry with paper towels—a dry surface will help the meat brown better. Toss the beef chunks in a bowl with the flour until they’re evenly coated. This step helps create a thicker stew later on.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
Heating a pot is the first step when cooking. Use a large, heavy pot or a Dutch oven for the stew. Add the cooking oil to the pot and heat it over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef chunks. Let them cook until they turn brown on the outside. Avoid overcrowding the pot—if necessary, work in batches.
Browning the beef is important because it adds flavor to the stew. After all the beef is browned, remove it from the pot and set it aside.
Step 3: Cook the Onions
With the pot still on the heat, add the chopped onion. If there’s too little oil left, add another spoonful. Stir the onions and cook them for about 3–5 minutes, or until they become soft and golden. Cooking the onions releases a sweet aroma and forms the base of your stew.
Step 4: Build the Flavor
Next, return the browned beef to the pot. Add a splash of red wine (if using) and stir to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot—these bits are full of flavor! Now, pour in the beef broth and stir in the tomato paste. Add the seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder (if you like), and dried thyme or rosemary. Toss in the bay leaves for extra aroma. Stir everything together.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently. The slow cooking will make the beef tender and the flavors rich.
Step 5: Add the Vegetables
After about 45 minutes of simmering, it’s time to add the vegetables. Stir in the potatoes, carrots, and celery. Make sure they’re submerged in the broth. Cover the pot again and let the stew cook for another 30 minutes.
During this time, the vegetables will soften and absorb the delicious flavors of the broth. The meat will continue to become more tender as well.
Step 6: Check and Adjust
After the stew has cooked for about 1–1.5 hours in total, check if the beef and vegetables are tender. Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt and pepper if needed.
If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mix 1 tablespoon of flour or cornstarch with a little water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the pot and cook for a few more minutes until the broth thickens.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Once everything is cooked and the flavors have come together, it’s time to serve your beef stew. Remove the bay leaves before spooning it into bowls. Beef stew pairs wonderfully with fresh bread or rolls. You can also garnish it with chopped parsley for a pop of color.
Final Thoughts
Preparing a traditional beef stew doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these simple steps, you’ll end up with a hearty, flavorful dish that’s sure to impress and satisfy your family and guests. Whether it’s a cold winter night or just a day when you’re craving comfort food, beef stew is always a great choice.
So, grab your pot, gather the ingredients, and give this recipe a try. Happy cooking!
