Hearty Beef Stew with Potatoes, Carrots, and Peas

Tender chunks of beef, buttery potatoes, sweet carrots, and green peas simmer together in a rich, savory gravy. This homemade beef stew is the perfect comfort food for chilly evenings, family dinners, or whenever you’re craving something warm and satisfying.

Ingredients

For the Beef Stew

2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into large cubes

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large yellow onion, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into thick pieces

1 cup frozen green peas

3 tablespoons tomato paste

4 cups low-sodium beef broth

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For Thickening the Gravy

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cold water

For Garnishing

2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley

Preparation Steps

1. Prepare the beef. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. Season evenly with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. This helps develop a flavorful crust during browning.
2. Brown the meat. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Sear for 2–3 minutes per side until deeply browned. Transfer the beef to a plate.
3. Cook the aromatics. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the same pot and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Build the flavorful base. Add the tomato paste and stir for 1–2 minutes. Pour in a small amount of beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release the browned bits.
5. Start the stew. Return the beef and any accumulated juices to the pot. Add the remaining beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Stir gently to combine.
6. Slowly simmer the beef. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef begins to soften.
7. Add the vegetables. Stir in the potatoes and carrots. Cover and continue simmering for another 30–40 minutes, or until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
8. Thicken the gravy. In a small bowl, whisk the flour with the cold water until completely smooth. Slowly pour the mixture into the simmering stew while stirring continuously. Cook for another 5–8 minutes until the gravy becomes rich and slightly thickened.
9. Add the green peas. Stir in the frozen peas and simmer for 3–5 minutes until heated through and tender. Remove the bay leaves and adjust the salt and pepper to taste.
10. Finish and serve. Turn off the heat and allow the stew to rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm in deep bowls with plenty of delicious gravy.

Closing

There’s something special about a pot of homemade beef stew slowly simmering in the kitchen. With melt-in-your-mouth beef, tender vegetables, and a deeply flavorful gravy, this comforting dish is sure to become a family favorite.

Would you enjoy this hearty beef stew with warm crusty bread or homemade dinner rolls?