Easy Beef Stew is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for colder weather or any occasion that calls for a filling meal. This recipe combines tender beef stew meat with robust flavors from red wine, fresh herbs, and vegetables, all thickened into a deliciously rich gravy with a homemade roux. It’s a straightforward dish that delivers on both flavor and satisfaction, making it a practical choice for both family dinners and casual entertaining.

Easy Beef Stew Recipe

Nothing is more comforting than a big bowl of hearty homemade beef stew. This recipe is simple and straightforward yet so satisfying. The next time you need a little warmth, throw this on the stove or in your crock pot or Instant Pot for an incredible meal.

Beef Stew is a classic dish that varies from one cuisine to another, but always centers around slow-cooked, tender meat and a flavorful broth. The use of red wine in the recipe enhances the depth of flavor, melding with the natural juices of the meat and vegetables. The addition of a roux at the end of cooking ensures a thick, glossy finish that coats the ingredients beautifully. We created this particular recipe to focus on simplicity and flavor, using common ingredients and easy steps so it is approachable to achievable for anyone who makes it.

Winter and fall comfort foods are my favorite kind of foods, which is pretty crazy since this is primarily a grilling blog, but hey – you love what you love. And I do love my whole host of summer-centric dishes like all of the grilled steak, pasta salads, and all that lighter fare, but how can you not look forward to diving into a plate of Ground Beef Stroganoff, Sarma {Cabbage Rolls} Soup, or this Chicken Alfredo Lasagna?

Why you’ll love it!

Rich and Flavorful: The combination of red wine, fresh thyme, and bay leaves provides a rich and enticing flavor.
Comforting and Satisfying: With tender chunks of beef, potatoes, and carrots, this stew is a filling meal that warms from the inside out.
Versatile: This stew can be easily adapted with different vegetables or herbs based on your preferences or what you have on hand.
Perfect for Leftovers: The flavors of this stew continue to develop and improve, making it even better the next day.
Allergy-Friendly: Free from common allergens like nuts, eggs, and dairy (if butter is substituted), it’s suitable for many dietary needs.

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Beef Stew shopping list

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Beef Stew Meat
Red Wine
Water
Beef Bullion
Onion
Bay Leaves
Fresh Thyme
Salt
Black Pepper
Carrots
Baby Red Potatoes
Corn
Butter
Flour

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How To Make Beef Stew

Want to know what you’re getting yourself into? Below is a summary of the instructions. Click to expand them for more details, but make sure you cook from the recipe card at the bottom of the post. That gives you all of the info you need to make the recipe successfully.

Brown the Meat:

Start by browning the beef stew meat in a Dutch oven to develop a deep flavor base.

Deglaze and Simmer:

Add red wine, chopped onion, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot, and simmer until the meat is tender.

Add Vegetables:

Introduce carrots and potatoes in the last 30 minutes of cooking to maintain their texture and flavor.

Prepare the Roux:

Near the end of cooking, prepare a roux in a separate pan by cooking butter and flour until golden.

Thicken the Stew:

Incorporate the roux into the stew, stirring well to combine and thicken the broth.

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More Soups, Stews, and Chowders

Yield: 6 people

Easy Beef Stew

Name: Easy Beef Stew
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 pounds beef stew meat; 1/2 cup red wine; 6 cups water; 3 cubes beef bullion; 1 large chopped onion; 2 whole bay leaves; 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, {chopped}; 2 teaspoons salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 pound carrots, {chopped}; 2 pounds baby red potatoes, {halved}; 1 15 ounce can corn; 1/2 cup butter; 1/3 cup flour

This stew is super easy, and one of the best dinners that has ever come out of my kitchen. We LOVE it.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

Stew

3 pounds beef stew meat
1/2 cup red wine
6 cups water
3 cubes beef bullion
1 large chopped onion
2 whole bay leaves
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, {chopped}
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound carrots, {chopped}
2 pounds baby red potatoes, {halved}
1 15 ounce can corn

Roux

1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup flour

Instructions

Brown the stew meat in a large dutch oven on medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, or until several sides have nice color on them. Color = flavor, so don't be shy!
Deglaze the pan with the red wine, onions, and all the herbs and seasonings. Bring the mixture up to a simmer, and cook for 60-90 minutes, or until the meat is tender. Add the potatoes and carrots into the pot during the last 30 minutes of cook time.
Make your roux during the last 10 minutes of cook time by melting the butter in a small skillet and whisking in the flour. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes.
Add the roux to the simmering pot of stew, and stir to combine. Bring back up to a simmer, stirring frequently, until the stew is thickened. Serve immediately.

Easy Beef Stew