Savor the Comfort of the Best Ever Beef Stew
Warm up your table with this Best Ever Beef Stew, a rich, hearty classic filled with tender beef, fresh vegetables, and deep, savory flavor. Every bite feels like a cozy embrace, especially on a chilly evening when all you crave is something comforting and satisfying.

From its simmering aroma to the melt-in-your-mouth texture, this stew captures the timeless charm of homemade cooking. Whether you’re preparing dinner for family or hosting a weekend gathering, this dish turns any meal into a heartwarming experience.
It’s the kind of comfort food that reminds you of Sunday suppers and slow afternoons, blending nostalgia with nourishment. So grab your Dutch oven and let’s bring this beloved favorite to life.
The Best Ever Beef Stew: A Rich and Hearty Classic
This Best Ever Beef Stew brings together tender chunks of sirloin, earthy vegetables, and an irresistible broth that thickens into pure perfection. Each spoonful delivers layers of flavor that deepen as it simmers, filling your home with a savory fragrance that’s impossible to resist.
The slow simmering method makes all the difference. The meat turns juicy, the potatoes soak up the broth, and every vegetable adds its own touch. With a few helpful techniques, you can elevate this traditional dish into something truly memorable.
Pro Tips for Perfect Best Ever Beef Stew
- Sear for Depth: Browning the meat first seals in juices and builds rich flavor for the base of your stew.
- Deglaze the Pot: Pour in the red wine to lift all the tasty browned bits—these add complexity to your broth.
- Simmer Slowly: Let it cook low and slow; patience gives the beef time to tenderize beautifully.
- Layer the Veggies: Add the potatoes last to prevent them from becoming too soft or breaking apart.
- Fresh Herbs Finish Strong: A sprinkle of parsley just before serving brightens the stew’s deep, comforting flavors.

Best Ever Beef Stew Recipe
- Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 60 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Equipment: Dutch oven or large heavy pot
This stew fills your kitchen with warmth and your bowl with comfort, making it a perfect dish for both weeknights and special occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds top sirloin steak, diced
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, halved
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup dry red wine
- 2 ½ cups beef stock
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 large russet potato, peeled and cut in ½-inch chunks
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Directions
- Prepare the Beef: Season the steak with 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper.
- Sear the Meat: Heat olive oil in your Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add steak in batches, cooking until evenly browned, about 6–8 minutes. Set aside.
- Cook the Vegetables: Reduce heat to medium. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Stir occasionally until tender, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Mushrooms: Stir and cook until tender and browned, another 3–4 minutes.
- Build the Base: Whisk in flour and tomato paste until slightly browned, about 1 minute.
- Deglaze: Stir in red wine, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom for extra flavor.
- Simmer the Stew: Add beef stock, thyme, bay leaves, and the seared steak. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer until the beef becomes very tender, about 30 minutes.
- Add Potatoes: Stir in the diced potato and continue simmering until just tender and the stew thickens, about 20 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Stir in parsley and season to taste. Serve hot with crusty bread or over rice for a complete meal.
A Comforting Meal to Remember
The Best Ever Beef Stew isn’t just dinner—it’s a moment of calm and comfort. Its layers of flavors create a soul-soothing experience that pairs beautifully with homemade sides like Easy Dutch Oven No-Knead Bread or Super Moist Cornbread Recipe.
You can even balance the meal with something sweet afterward, like Peaches and Cream Cake or Lemon Custard Pudding Cake. For another cozy dish that warms you from the inside out, try Boilermaker Tailgate Chili or Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy.
With its rich broth, tender beef, and aromatic herbs, this stew defines home-cooked perfection. It’s a timeless dish you’ll want to make again and again—one that turns simple ingredients into something extraordinary.
Print
Best Ever Beef Stew
This stew fills your kitchen with warmth and your bowl with comfort, making it a perfect dish for both weeknights and special occasions.
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
-
2 pounds top sirloin steak, diced
-
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
-
2 tablespoons olive oil
-
1 medium sweet onion, diced
-
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
-
2 ribs celery, diced
-
3 cloves garlic, minced
-
8 ounces cremini mushrooms, halved
-
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
-
2 tablespoons tomato paste
-
½ cup dry red wine
-
2 ½ cups beef stock
-
4 sprigs fresh thyme
-
2 bay leaves
-
1 large russet potato, peeled and cut in ½-inch chunks
-
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
-
Prepare the Beef: Season the steak with 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper.
-
Sear the Meat: Heat olive oil in your Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add steak in batches, cooking until evenly browned, about 6–8 minutes. Set aside.
-
Cook the Vegetables: Reduce heat to medium. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Stir occasionally until tender, about 3–4 minutes.
-
Add Garlic and Mushrooms: Stir and cook until tender and browned, another 3–4 minutes.
-
Build the Base: Whisk in flour and tomato paste until slightly browned, about 1 minute.
-
Deglaze: Stir in red wine, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom for extra flavor.
-
Simmer the Stew: Add beef stock, thyme, bay leaves, and the seared steak. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer until the beef becomes very tender, about 30 minutes.
-
Add Potatoes: Stir in the diced potato and continue simmering until just tender and the stew thickens, about 20 minutes.
-
Finish and Serve: Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Stir in parsley and season to taste. Serve hot with crusty bread or over rice for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes





