Better Homes & Gardens Italian Braised Beef

The Best Beef Stew

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. Cook: 2 hours

Makes

6 servings (2-1/4 quarts)

Our stew has tons of flavor thanks to the herbs, red wine and balsamic vinegar. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon canola oil
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons herbes de Provence
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups dry red wine
2 cups beef broth
1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary, divided
2 bay leaves
3 cups cubed peeled potatoes
3 cups coarsely chopped onions (about 2 large)
2 cups sliced carrots
2 tablespoons cold water
2 tablespoons balsamic or red wine vinegar
1 cup fresh or frozen peas
Additional fresh rosemary, optional

Directions

In a small bowl, toss beef and 1/4 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, combine 4 tablespoons flour and paprika. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and toss to coat.
In a Dutch oven, brown beef in oil over medium heat. Stir in tomato paste, herbes de Provence and garlic; cook until fragrant and color starts to darken slightly. Add wine; cook until mixture just comes to a boil. Simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Stir in broth, 1 teaspoon rosemary and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until meat is almost tender, about 1-1/2 hours.
Add potatoes, onions and carrots. Cover; simmer until meat and vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes longer.
Discard bay leaves. In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 2 tablespoon flour. Add cold water and vinegar; stir until smooth. Stir into stew. Bring to a boil; add peas. Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 2 minutes. If desired, top with additional fresh rosemary.

Beef Stew Tips

Can you make beef stew ahead of time?

Yes, you can make beef stew ahead of time. Beef stew stores in the refrigerator for up to three days and you can freeze it for up to three months. These freezer-friendly stew recipes are great to make in advance, too.

What's the best kind of beef for beef stew?

We recommend using chuck, also known as front shoulder meat, for this beef stew. The round, or rear muscle, also works well, too. While these tough cuts take time to become tender, they release collagen as they cook for a smooth, gelatin-rich broth. Note: If you see pre-cut packages labeled "beef stew meat" at the store, be sure to ask your butcher what type of meat is included. Get more tips to choose the right beef for your stew.

Do you need tomato paste for beef stew?

We recommend using tomato paste for this recipe. Tomato paste adds crucial flavor and body to the stew meat when cooked with herbs, garlic and wine. If you don't have any on hand, try one of these tomato paste substitutes. Just keep in mind, it may change the stew's flavor.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/2 cups: 366 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 605mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 6g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.