Beef Stew Recipe
Warm and hearty, this flavorful Beef Stew is my take on the classic dish, enhanced with a blend of spices I love to cook with. It’ll awaken your tastebuds with just the right amount of heat and spices. Cooked in one pot with tender beef and root vegetables, it’s hearty and filling, perfect for cold and cozy days!
Spicy and Easy Beef Stew
Beef Stew wasn’t a part of the meals I grew up with in Sri Lanka. It’s something I started cooking after I moved to Ireland, where the chilly weather made me crave warm and comforting dishes. It’s so satisfying to sit down to a big bowl of stew on a cold day.
I’ve made it so many times experimenting with different ingredients and spices to make this stew my own. This easy beef stew is now one of my favorite recipes to make when the temperature drops just like my Sri Lankan Beef Curry, which also uses stewing beef.
This beef stew is made in one pot. I cooked it in a dutch oven on the stove top. Stewing beef is simmered with spices until tender. Root vegetables like potatoes and carrots are added during the last 10 minutes—just enough time to cook them until tender but still firm. And finished with a cornflour slurry to give the stew some body. Pair it with some crusty bread for a hearty and filling meal.
Although I love quick 30-minute dinners, this homemade beef stew is worth the extra time for best results. Trust me, you won’t mind either! It takes about an hour to cook, plus 10 minutes to prep the veggies, making it perfect for when you have a bit more time to dedicate to dinner.
If you’re in the mood for something quicker, though, you can also try my Air Fryer Garlic Steak Bites, which are ready in no time and just as delicious.
This stew has become one of my go-to meals for colder weather, and I’m sure it’ll be one you come back to again and again!
Ingredients and Notes
*Scroll down for the recipe card with a full ingredient list and measurements.
- Stew Beef: Ask your butcher or grab a pre-packed stewing beef from the supermarket.
- Aromatics: Onion, garlic, and ginger.
- Spices: Smoked paprika, red chilli powder or cayenne pepper, cumin, black pepper, cinnamon, and oregano. This might seem like a lot of spices but trust me, they all make a difference.
- Tomato Paste: Brings a rich, tangy flavor to the stew.
- Beef Bouillon Cube: I love the convenience and how easy it is to find. If you have beef broth on hand, feel free to skip the water and use that instead.
- Vegetables: Carrots, potatoes, and celery are the classics and my go-to as well.
- Cornflour: Helps thicken the stew to your desired consistency.
- Optional Heat: Add a pinch of chili flakes at the end for an extra kick!
How to Make Beef Stew
*Scroll down for the printable recipe card for a full list of ingredients and instructions.
Sear the Beef: Start by heating 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven. Sear the beef pieces until browned and most of the liquid has evaporated. Remove the beef and set it aside.
Saute Aromatics and Spices : In the same pot, add another 2 tablespoons of oil. Sauté the chopped onions, minced garlic, and ginger until the onions are soft and fragrant.
Stir in the smoked paprika, red chili powder, cumin, black pepper, cinnamon, oregano, bay leaves, and salt. Add the tomato paste and mix well with the spices. Toss in the beef and give it a good mix.
Cook the Stew: Crush the beef bouillon cube into the mixture, then pour in 5 cups of water. Bring the stew to a boil, cover, and simmer on medium heat for 45 minutes until the beef is tender.
Cook the Vegetables: Add the carrots, potatoes, and celery to the pot. Cover and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Thicken the Stew: If you prefer a thicker stew, mix 2 teaspoons of cornflour with water until smooth. Stir it into the stew and let it boil for a minute until the sauce thickens.For extra heat, sprinkle some chili flakes just before serving.
Recipes Tips for The Best Beef Stew
- Use Cinnamon: I’ve found that a small pinch of cinnamon adds warmth without overpowering other spices. Try it out!
- Tender Beef: Letting the beef simmer low and slow ensures it turns out perfectly tender.
- Make It Spicier: If you love heat, add more chili powder or a few chili flakes at the end.
- Customize the Veggies: You can swap in sweet potatoes, green beans, or even peas depending on what you have on hand.
- Make Ahead: This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
What To Serve With Beef Stew
This spicy beef stew pairs beautifully with warm crusty bread, naan, or even a simple bowl of steamed white rice.
Or you can go all South Asian and pair it with some Roti or crispy Malabar parotta.
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Recipe
One Pot Delicious Beef Stew (Simple and Easy)
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 1½ pound stew beef
- ½ large onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ inch ginger minced
- 2 bay leaf
- 2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp oregano
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 beef bouillon cube
- 5 cups water
- 2 carrots peeled and sliced
- 2 potato peeled and quartered
- 2 celery sticks sliced
- 2 tsp cornflour mixed with some water
Instructions
- Start by heating 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot. Sear the beef pieces until browned and most of the liquid has evaporated. Remove the beef and set it aside.
- In the same pot, add another 2 tablespoons of oil. Sauté the chopped onions, minced garlic, and ginger until the onions are soft.
- Stir in the smoked paprika, red chili powder, cumin, black pepper, cinnamon, oregano, bay leaves, and salt. Let the spices toast for about a minute to release their flavors.
- Add the tomato paste and mix well with the spices. Toss in the seared beef and give it a good mix. Crush the beef bouillon cube into the mixture, then pour in 5 cups of water.
- Bring the stew to a boil on high heat, cover with a tight fitting lid, and simmer on medium heat for 45 minutes until the beef is tender.
- Add the carrots, potatoes, and celery to the pot. Cover and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- If you prefer a thicker stew, mix 2 teaspoons of cornflour with water until smooth. Stir it into the stew and let it boil for a minute until the sauce thickens.
- For extra heat, sprinkle some chili flakes just before serving.
Save This Recipe!
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!