Beef Stew

Thank you Decoy for sponsoring this post. Celebrate International Merlot Month this October by using the hashtag #MerlotMe on social!

Easy and comforting Beef Stew recipe – with a few updated twists. Tender meat and vegetables in a flavorful broth, made in one pot. Check out my tips for making the BEST Beef Stew every time!

As if there isn’t already so much to love about October (Crisp air! Football! Pumpkins!), October is also International Merlot Month. A whole month dedicated to merlot? Yep, you read that right. This fall, let’s fall for merlot!

If you’re looking for ways to celebrate International Merlot Month, I’ve got you covered. Scroll down for how you can join the Merlot Movement, and celebrate the month with other merlot fans. I’ll be celebrating with this delicious Beef Stew, which pairs perfectly with Decoy Merlot.

How to Make Beef Stew

This beef stew has many similar characteristics to a traditional beef stew, with a few updates to make it even better! Here’s how to make it.

• Start by browning stew meat in a dutch oven or large saucepan.
• Add onions, tomato paste, thyme, worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. These ingredients will give the meat lots of flavor!
• Simmer the meat for a couple of hours (without adding all the vegetables yet), so that the meat has plenty of time to get nice and tender. This is the key!
• Add all those veggies! Potatoes and carrots are the usual suspects, but I also add celery, butternut squash, and peas.
• Simmer for another 30 minutes or so, until the veggies are tender.
• Serve piping hot with crusty bread and, of course, a glass of Merlot.

Tips for Making Beef Stew

• Cook the meat longer than the vegetables. This allows the meat to get super tender without the veggies getting mushy.
• Use herbs both in the stew and and as a garnish. I like thyme, parsley, and bay leaf, but you can also use rosemary, oregano, or sage. This adds a fresh flavor to this hearty dish.
• Use your favorite veggies. I typically use potatoes, carrots, celery, butternut squash, and peas. You can also add mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and/or green beans. Pick and choose your favorites!
• Adjust how thick/thin you want the stew by adding flour (to thicken) or beef broth/water (to thin).

I hope you love this warm and comforting stew as much as my family does. This October, I hope you find some time to whip up this recipe and open a bottle of marvelous merlot. 

Don’t let Merlot Month slip away! Want to be part of the merlot movement? Drink merlot at home, drink it out at a restaurant, or attend a #MerlotMe tasting. Just get some Merlot in your glass! Follow the hashtag and chat with others who are sharing their #MerlotMe moments as well. Cheers!

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5 from 23 votes

Beef Stew

Easy, comforting, and flavorful Beef Stew with a few updated twists.

Course Main dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 3 hours

Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 405

Author Allison - Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 pounds stew meat
• 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper plus more to taste
• 1 small yellow onion chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
• 5 cups beef broth divided
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 medium potatoes (I used yukon gold) cut into large-bite size pieces (about 5 cups)
• 1 cup chopped celery cut into large-bite size pieces
• 2 cups chopped carrots cut into large-bite size pieces
• 2 cups chopped butternut squash cut into large-bite size pieces
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• minced parsley for garnish

Instructions

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the stew meat, salt and pepper. Brown the meat, stirring occasionally (several minutes). If there is an excessive amount of grease, drain some of it out of the pan.
• Return the pan to medium heat, add onion, worcestershire sauce and tomato paste. Stir with a wooden spoon, scraping the bottom of the pan to remove any brown bits. Add thyme, bay leaf and 3 cups of beef broth (this should be enough to cover the meat and onions. If not, add water until the meat is covered. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for about 2 hours.
• Once the meat is tender - but not falling apart, add the potatoes, celery, carrots and butternut squash. Pour over another 2 cups of beef broth and enough water to cover the vegetables. Raise heat and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer partially covered for about 30 minutes - until the vegetables are tender.
• If you’d like the broth thicker: In a bowl, whisk ¼ cup of flour with 1 cup water until smooth. Add the mixture to the stew,stirring until combined. This will thicken the sauce, and create more of a "gravy" consistency.
• Add peas, and simmer the stew for another 5 minutes or so, until the sauce has thickened and the peas are cooked through. Add salt and pepper to taste (this will depend on how salty your beef broth is). 
• To serve: sprinkle each serving with minced parsley and/or thyme and serve with crusty bread on the side for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories: 405kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 1305mg | Potassium: 938mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 12410IU | Vitamin C: 24.8mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 5.4mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @CelebratingSweets or tag #CelebratingSweets!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.