Imagine the comforting aroma of tender beef, rich red wine, and savory herbs wafting through your kitchen.
This oven beef stew isn’t just a dish; it’s a warm hug on a chilly day.
Surprisingly simple to prepare, it transforms humble ingredients into a hearty feast, filling your home with the promise of cozy indulgence.
Let’s bring this delightful dish to life and savor every comforting bite.
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 Dutch oven
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Chef’s knife
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 Measuring cup
- 1 Measuring spoons set
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 3 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking Oven Beef Stew, you can follow this timeline:
Timeline for Oven Beef Stew
- Reading the Recipe:
- Time Needed: 5 minutes
- Activity: Familiarize yourself with the equipment, ingredients, and instructions.
- Preparation:
- Time Needed: 20 minutes
- Activity:
- Gather all ingredients and equipment.
- Cut the beef chuck into 1-inch cubes.
- Chop the onion, mince the garlic, slice the carrots and celery, and dice the potatoes.
- Cooking:
- Total Cook Time: 3 hours
- Initial Cooking Steps (on the stove):
- Time Needed: 20 minutes
- Activity:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Heat olive oil in the Dutch oven.
- Season and brown the beef cubes in batches.
- Sauté onions until translucent, then add garlic and tomato paste.
- Sprinkle flour and stir, then add beef broth and red wine.
- Add browned beef, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves.
- Bring to a simmer.
- Oven Cooking:
- Time Needed: 2 hours
- Activity: Transfer the Dutch oven to the oven and bake for 2 hours.
- Adding Vegetables:
- Time Needed: 10 minutes (within the 3-hour cooking time)
- Activity: After 2 hours, add carrots, potatoes, and celery to the stew.
- Final Hour of Cooking:
- Time Needed: 1 hour
- Activity: Continue baking the stew for another hour.
- Resting Time:
- Time Needed: 10 minutes
- Activity: Stir in frozen peas and let the stew rest before serving.
Adjust the timing as needed based on your pace and any additional garnishes you might want to add.
Recipe Instructions
Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Season beef cubes with salt and pepper.
Brown the beef in batches, removing and setting aside once browned.
Add onions to the pot and sauté until translucent.
Stir in garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute.
Sprinkle flour over onions and garlic, stirring to coat.
Gradually pour in beef broth and red wine, scraping up browned bits.
Return beef to the pot, add Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves.
Bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to the oven.
Bake for 2 hours, then add carrots, potatoes, and celery.
Continue baking for another hour.
Stir in frozen peas and let the stew rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Serving Tips
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for dipping, it complements the rich flavors of the stew.
- Mashed Potatoes: Adds an extra layer of comfort and helps soak up the delicious sauce.
- Green Salad: A fresh and crisp side to balance the hearty stew.
- Steamed Rice: A simple yet effective way to enjoy the stew’s savory broth.
- Buttered Noodles: A classic pairing that adds texture and absorbs the stew’s robust flavors.
Storage
Allow the beef stew to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Freezing
To freeze oven beef stew, cool completely before transferring to airtight containers.
Leave space for expansion.
Label with date.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To reheat oven beef stew, gently warm it on the stovetop over medium heat.
Stir occasionally.
Alternatively, use a microwave.
Cover the dish to retain moisture, and heat in intervals.
Final Thoughts
Oven Beef Stew is a comforting and hearty dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
With a preparation time of just 20 minutes, you can assemble all your ingredients quickly.
The slow cooking process in the oven, which takes about 3 hours, allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in tender beef and flavorful vegetables.
Be sure to let the stew rest for 10 minutes before serving. This resting period enhances the taste and texture of the stew.
The recipe serves six, making it ideal for family dinners or gatherings.
For those looking to experiment, marinating the beef cubes in red wine before cooking can add an extra depth of flavor.
Additionally, mashing a few potatoes into the sauce can thicken the stew to your liking.
Remember to adjust the seasoning to taste, as the flavors can evolve during the cooking process.
Oven Beef Stew isn’t only a classic American dish but also a comforting meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Substitute Chicken Broth for Beef Broth?
You can substitute chicken broth for beef broth, but it alters the flavor profile. To maintain depth, consider adding extra Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce. Remember, creativity in cooking lets you adapt recipes to your preferences.
What Can I Use Instead of Red Wine?
You can substitute red wine with beef broth, grape juice, or cranberry juice for a similar depth of flavor. Balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar can also work, but use them sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish.
How Do I Make This Stew Gluten-Free?
Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free alternative like cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend. Make certain your beef broth is gluten-free. Follow the steps as usual, and you’ll have a delicious gluten-free stew.
Is It Possible to Use a Slow Cooker Instead?
You can absolutely use a slow cooker. Just brown the beef first, then transfer all ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours. This method allows flavors to meld beautifully, enhancing the stew’s richness.
Can I Add Other Vegetables to the Stew?
You can definitely add other vegetables to the stew. Consider incorporating mushrooms, parsnips, or turnips for extra depth and flavor. Just guarantee they complement the existing ingredients and adjust cooking times if needed. Experiment creatively!
Oven Beef Stew
Equipment
- 1 Dutch oven
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 Measuring spoons set
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef chuck cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 4 carrots sliced
- 3 potatoes peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Season beef cubes with salt and pepper.
- Brown the beef in batches, removing and setting aside once browned.
- Add onions to the pot and sauté until translucent.
- Stir in garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle flour over onions and garlic, stirring to coat.
- Gradually pour in beef broth and red wine, scraping up browned bits.
- Return beef to the pot, add Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves.
- Bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to the oven.
- Bake for 2 hours, then add carrots, potatoes, and celery.
- Continue baking for another hour.
- Stir in frozen peas and let the stew rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
