If there’s a dish that wraps you right up in a blanket of comfort, it has to be Hearty Beef and Potato Stew. Succulent beef, buttery potatoes, and sweet shallots simmer away in a richly flavored broth, making every spoonful incredibly satisfying. This stew is as nourishing as it is delicious, perfect for chilly evenings or when you just want a taste of home. And with bold aromatics and a silky, tomato-kissed base, it’s a meal that brings people together around the dinner table—with smiles on every face.

Hearty Beef and Potato Stew Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Hearty Beef and Potato Stew lies in its simplicity—each ingredient is chosen for the flavor and texture it brings, and together they create something much greater than the sum of their parts. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need to make this classic stew really shine.

Olive oil: Gives the stew a subtle fruity depth and ensures nothing sticks as you brown the beef.
Unsalted butter: Lends a touch of richness and helps brown the meat to a tempting golden hue.
Beef chuck: This cut is ideal for stewing—it becomes fork-tender and ultra-flavorful after a slow simmer.
Salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, dried thyme: These seasonings bring out the best in both the beef and the broth, adding warmth and complexity.
Brown sugar: Just a hint balances the savory notes and adds dimension to the finished dish.
Garlic cloves: Freshly minced garlic makes every bite fragrant and inviting.
Corn starch: A clever touch that thickens the stew ever so slightly, giving it that velvety texture.
Shallots: Their mild sweetness infuses the stew with subtle, nuanced flavor.
Low sodium soy sauce: Boosts the umami without getting too salty, deepening the stew’s savory backbone.
Low sodium beef broth: Forms the hearty base—the better the broth, the tastier the stew!
Double concentrated tomato paste: Provides a gentle acidity and a gorgeous deep color to the broth.
Baby potatoes: Their creamy texture holds up beautifully in the stew, soaking up all those luscious juices.

How to Make Hearty Beef and Potato Stew

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Start by gathering all your ingredients and getting your mise en place ready. Peel the shallots and mince the garlic so they’re right on hand. This bit of prep goes a long way to making your Hearty Beef and Potato Stew smooth sailing once you start cooking.

Step 2: Sear the Beef

Heat the olive oil and butter in a big, sturdy pot over high heat. Spread the beef out in a single layer, letting it sear without stirring for about three minutes. That deep, savory crust that forms is flavor gold—don’t rush it! Then give the pieces a stir and continue to cook until all sides are beautifully browned.

Step 3: Layer in the Flavors

Sprinkle in salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, dried thyme and the brown sugar. Stir them through the beef before adding your minced garlic—let it cook just until fragrant. Shake in the cornstarch, making sure it blends evenly, then add the whole peeled shallots and soy sauce. You’ll start to smell those sweet, earthy, and savory aromas right away.

Step 4: Add the Broth

Pour in the beef broth and crank up the heat to bring everything to a steady boil. Once bubbling, pop a lid on, dial down the heat to medium-low, and let it all simmer for a full hour. During this time, the beef will tenderize and the flavors will start to meld into a cozy, cohesive stew.

Step 5: Finish with Tomato Paste and Potatoes

Now it’s time to make your Hearty Beef and Potato Stew truly irresistible. Stir in the double concentrated tomato paste for depth and color, then nestle the baby potatoes into the broth. Simmer for another thirty minutes—by then the potatoes will be creamy and the beef will be melt-in-your-mouth delicious. If the stew gets a little too thick, a splash of water will do the trick. Don’t forget to taste and adjust your salt at the end.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming stew into big bowls, grab some crusty country bread, and be prepared for happy sighs at the table. This is comfort food at its most satisfying.

How to Serve Hearty Beef and Potato Stew

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or thyme gives your Hearty Beef and Potato Stew a pop of color and a hint of herbal freshness. If you love a little zing, add a grind of black pepper or a drizzle of good olive oil just before serving—the small touches make a big difference!

Side Dishes

While the stew can easily stand on its own, serving it with thick-sliced country bread or sourdough is a tradition worth keeping. Fancy something more? Creamy polenta or buttery mashed potatoes make perfect partners for soaking up that savory, tomato-rich broth.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to impress, serve your Hearty Beef and Potato Stew in rustic bread bowls or top each serving with a poached egg for extra indulgence. For a cozy family dinner, bring the whole pot to the table and let everyone serve themselves—sharing always makes the meal more memorable.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any leftover stew cool completely, then pour it into airtight containers and stash it in the fridge. The flavors will continue to develop overnight, so your next-day lunch might be even better than the first round!

Freezing

Hearty Beef and Potato Stew freezes beautifully. Spoon cooled portions into freezer-friendly containers, label with the date, and freeze for up to three months. Potatoes may soften a touch when thawed, but the flavor stays absolutely fantastic.

Reheating

To reheat, simply transfer the stew to a pot and warm gently over medium heat, stirring now and then until piping hot. If it looks a bit thick, add a splash more broth or water to bring it back to perfect soupiness.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Absolutely! While beef chuck is ideal for tenderness, brisket or stewing beef also work well. Just make sure to cut the meat into bite-sized pieces so it cooks evenly and soaks up plenty of flavor.

What if I don’t have shallots?

No shallots? No worries! You can substitute with pearl onions, or even a regular yellow onion cut into wedges. The stew will still be delicious, but shallots do offer a gentle sweetness that’s lovely if you can find them.

Is it possible to make this stew in a slow cooker?

Yes! Sear the beef and aromatics as instructed, then transfer everything to your slow cooker, add broth, and cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours, adding the potatoes halfway through so they don’t become too soft.

How do I make this stew gluten-free?

Hearty Beef and Potato Stew is naturally gluten-free so long as you use gluten-free soy sauce and double-check your beef broth. Corn starch helps thicken without any added gluten, making this a safe and scrumptious choice for everyone.

Can I add extra veggies?

Of course! Carrots, celery, or parsnips are all wonderful additions. Just chop them into large chunks and add them along with the potatoes so they become tender but not mushy.

Final Thoughts

Nothing beats the joy of sharing a pot of Hearty Beef and Potato Stew with people you love. Whether you’re craving old-school comfort or introducing someone to this classic for the first time, this stew is always a winner. Give it a try and let its rich aroma fill your kitchen—it’s a hug in a bowl, waiting to be enjoyed!

Hearty Beef and Potato Stew Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 30 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

A comforting and hearty beef and potato stew that is perfect for a cozy meal on a chilly day. Tender chunks of beef chuck are simmered with baby potatoes in a flavorful broth until everything is tender and delicious.

Instructions

Chopping: Get your prep done before you start cooking. Peel the shallots and mince the garlic.
Browning: Heat oil and butter in a large pot over high. Place beef in a single layer and sear, undisturbed, for 3 minutes. Then stir and cook until golden brown on all sides.
Sautéing: Add salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and sugar. Stir in garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add cornstarch and stir until incorporated. Finally, add shallots and soy sauce.
Simmering: Pour in beef broth, bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 1 hour over medium-low heat.
Simmering: Stir in tomato paste and add potatoes. Simmer for 30 minutes more, or until the meat is tender and the potatoes are cooked. Add water if needed. Adjust salt to taste before serving.
Serving: Serve with some country bread. Enjoy!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American