Starting to cook can feel like a big step, but it’s easier than you might think, especially with the right recipe to guide you.
Take the old-fashioned beef stew, for example.
It’s a classic dish that’s all about combining simple ingredients like beef, vegetables, and broth to create a hearty, comforting meal.
In this guide, I’ll break down the steps to making a beef stew that’s perfect for beginners.
You’ll learn how to prepare the ingredients, brown the beef to perfection, and simmer everything to get those deep, rich flavors.
Plus, I’ll share tips on how to serve it and suggest some easy side dishes to make your stew a complete meal.
Beef Stew
Beef stew is a hearty, slow-cooked dish that combines tender chunks of beef with a medley of vegetables, all simmered in a rich, flavourful broth.
It’s a versatile dish that can be adapted to include your favourite vegetables and seasonings.
The key to a perfect beef stew lies in the slow cooking process, which allows the flavours to meld together beautifully, creating a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients.
This recipe serves 4-6 people, making it perfect for a family dinner.
Meat and Vegetables:
- 1 kg beef chuck, cut into 2 cm cubes
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
For the Broth:
- 1 litre beef stock
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Thickening Agent:
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 4 tablespoons cold water
Additional:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil for browning the beef
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
Preparing the Ingredients
- Prepare the Beef: Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. This helps in browning the beef properly. Season with salt and pepper.
- Chop the Vegetables: Ensure all vegetables are cut into similar sizes to cook evenly.
Browning the Beef
- Heat the Oil: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Brown the Beef: Add the beef cubes in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Brown all sides of the beef cubes, then set aside.
Cooking the Vegetables
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same pot, add more oil if needed, and sauté the onions and garlic until translucent.
- Add Remaining Vegetables: Add the carrots, potatoes, and celery, cooking for a few minutes until slightly softened.
Creating the Broth
- Combine Beef and Vegetables: Return the browned beef to the pot with the vegetables.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, and stir in the tomato paste.
- Season: Add thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
Thickening the Stew
- Mix Flour and Water: In a small bowl, mix the flour with cold water until smooth.
- Thicken the Stew: Stir the flour mixture into the stew, increase the heat to medium, and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the stew thickens.
Final Touches
- Taste and Adjust Seasonings: Give your stew a taste and adjust the salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your old-fashioned beef stew hot, with a side of crusty bread or over a bed of fluffy rice to soak up the delicious gravy.
This recipe is a perfect starting point for new cooks. Each step is designed to build your cooking skills, from browning meat to simmering a rich, flavourful stew.
Best Side Dishes for Beef Stew
Pairing the right side dishes with your beef stew can elevate this comforting meal into a feast.
Here are some classic and simple sides that complement the rich flavors of the stew, perfect for beginners to try their hand at.
Crusty Bread
- Why It Works: A loaf of crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious gravy of the beef stew. It’s a simple yet satisfying addition.
- What You Need: Freshly baked bread, such as a baguette or sourdough.
- How to Serve: Slice the bread and serve it warm, either as is or lightly toasted with a smear of butter.
Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
- Why It Works: The creamy texture of mashed potatoes pairs wonderfully with the hearty beef stew, providing a comforting and filling meal.
- What You Need: Potatoes, milk, butter, salt, and pepper.
- How to Prepare: Boil peeled and chopped potatoes until tender. Drain and mash with milk, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Steamed Green Beans
- Why It Works: The fresh, crisp taste of green beans adds a light and healthy element to the meal, balancing the richness of the stew.
- What You Need: Fresh green beans, salt, and a bit of butter for seasoning.
- How to Prepare: Trim the ends of the green beans and steam them until just tender. Toss with a little butter, salt, and pepper.
Simple Garden Salad
- Why It Works: A garden salad brings a refreshing crunch and lightness to the meal, offering a contrast to the stew’s depth of flavor.
- What You Need: Mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- How to Prepare: Toss the greens, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced cucumber with a simple vinaigrette made from olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Creamy Polenta
- Why It Works: Like mashed potatoes, creamy polenta provides a soft bed that pairs well with the stew, absorbing its flavors.
- What You Need: Polenta (cornmeal), water or stock, butter, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- How to Prepare: Cook polenta in boiling water or stock, stirring constantly until thickened. Stir in butter and Parmesan cheese until creamy and smooth.
Roasted Root Vegetables
- Why It Works: Roasting enhances the natural sweetness of root vegetables, making them a hearty and colorful side that complements the beef stew.
- What You Need: A mix of root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, turnips, and beets, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- How to Prepare: Peel and chop the vegetables into uniform pieces, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast in a preheated oven until tender and caramelized.
Rice Pilaf
- Why It Works: Rice pilaf, with its fluffy grains and subtle flavors, provides a neutral base that lets the stew’s flavors shine.
- What You Need: Rice, onions, broth, and a touch of butter.
- How to Prepare: Sauté chopped onions in butter, add rice and cook until translucent, then add broth and simmer until the rice is cooked and fluffy.
Each of these side dishes offers a different texture and flavor profile that complements the beef stew, providing a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
Encourage your students to experiment with these sides to find their favorite combinations and to gain confidence in their cooking skills.