Old-Fashioned Beef Stew

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Servings: 7 Difficulty: Advanced
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Hearty, slow-cooked Southern beef stew with tender vegetables and rich gravy
Old-Fashioned Beef Stew recipe image
Old-Fashioned Beef Stew recipe image
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Old-Fashioned Beef Stew

Author: chefs-mate Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 7 Calories: 502.4

Description

This old-fashioned beef stew is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender chunks of beef slowly braised until they practically melt in your mouth. The rich, savory gravy is thickened with flour and deepened with Worcestershire sauce, creating a robust flavor profile that defines Southern home cooking. Loaded with hearty vegetables like potatoes, carrots, celery, and small white onions, this stew provides a complete and satisfying meal. It is perfect for cold evenings or busy weeknights when you want something warm and nourishing without spending hours in the kitchen. The long, slow cooking process ensures that every bite is packed with flavor and texture.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Toss the beef stew meat cubes with 1/4 cup of the flour, shaking off any excess. Set the remaining flour aside for thickening later.
  2. Heat the oil in a large skillet or the browning insert of a slow cooker over medium-high heat.
  3. Brown the floured beef cubes on all sides until seared. Do not crowd the pan; work in batches if necessary.
  4. Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker insert.
  5. Add the bay leaf, Worcestershire sauce, chopped onion, beef bouillon, pepper, salt, and sugar to the slow cooker with the beef.
  6. Add the carrots, sliced celery, chunked potatoes, small white onions, and any other hard vegetables.
  7. Pour the water and any remaining beef bouillon over the ingredients.
  8. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or until the beef is tender.
  9. In a small bowl, mix the reserved flour with a little cold water to form a smooth slurry.
  10. Stir the flour slurry into the stew in the slow cooker.
  11. If using, add the cooked okra at this time.
  12. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the stew has thickened to your liking.
  13. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 7

Amount Per Serving
Calories 502.4kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 20.3g32%
Saturated Fat 5.6g28%
Cholesterol 52.6mg18%
Sodium 1450.0mg61%
Total Carbohydrate 60.7g21%
Dietary Fiber 12.0g48%
Sugars 9.6g
Protein 24.2g49%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

You can substitute turnips for the potatoes for a slightly different flavor and texture.

If you do not have a slow cooker with a browning unit, brown the meat in a skillet and transfer it to a standard slow cooker.

For a richer stew, you can replace half of the water with beef broth.

Leftovers will thicken further as they cool. Add a splash of water or broth when reheating to achieve desired consistency.

This stew freezes well. Let it cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers.

Keywords: beef stew, southern cooking, slow cooker, crockpot, comfort food, hearty dinner, beef stew meat, vegetable stew, potatoes and carrots, worcestershire sauce, homemade gravy, easy dinner, family meal, winter recipes, slow cooked beef
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