Enjoy this Stove Top Beef Stew Recipe!

There’s something deeply comforting about a hearty stew simmering away on the stove top, especially on those chilly winter evenings when everyone comes to the table hungry. This stovetop beef stew recipe brings together simple ingredients, nourishing homemade broth, and tender vegetables. All in one cozy one-pot meal that truly warms the home.

The good news is that you can make this entire dish using everyday items you likely already have in your pantry. This is the kind of budget-friendly meal that tastes even better the next day, which is always a good thing!

Why This Is the Best Stovetop Beef Stew

There are a few main reasons this is my go-to stew recipe: it’s easy, flavorful, and works great with almost any cut of beef. You can use cubes, leftover roast, or even short ribs if you want extra richness. When it comes to stew, a boneless chuck roast or beef chuck is the best choice for tender chunks of beef that soften over time.

And while you can use a slow cooker or instant pot, I love the slow, hands-on process of a classic stovetop beef stew. Simmering on the stove top lets you build layers of flavor… from the caramelized crust on the browned beef to the rich, savory broth that develops as everything melds together.

The Importance of Good Broth

Bone broths add extra nutrition to our diet. I know that bone broth was a big fad a year or two ago, and seemed to be a magic healing remedy to just about every ailment. I am not sure about every ailment, BUT Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon does talk about the ancestral evidence of health benefits that bone broth does provide.

The vegetables add heartiness, but it’s the bone broth that turns a simple stew into a flavorful stew. Each optional add-in brings different flavors to the pot, so choose your favorite options and try different things.

A good stew begins with great broth. I prefer homemade beef broth (here is my homemade broth process and recipe). Here is the process for bone broth.

1. When I’m ready for broth, I will throw beef bones into a big pot, cover with water, add salt, whatever spices sound good, maybe some veggie scraps if I have them handy. Very intuitive!
2. Set the pot on medium heat and just let it simmer for a few hours.
3. Once it has simmered and the water looks very broth-y, I will strain and use or let it cool to freeze. That’s it! You can actually use the bones for multiple batches of broth until the bones are soft.

Key Ingredients for this Stove Top Beef Stew Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need for this easy stovetop beef stew:

Beef stew meat or beef cubes, thawed and brought to room temperature: I used stew meat from a local farm from when bought half a cow, but you can also use leftover roast or cut up steak.

Flour: I use all purpose, unbleached.

Garlic Powder: Not to be confused with garlic salt. You could also use minced garlic.

Onion Powder: You can also used an onion cut up. My people do not like the texture of diced onion. You an also se yellow onions, diced.

Salt

Black Pepper

Olive Oil for browning

Beef Bone Broth: Homemade or store-bought.

Worcestershire Sauce: Optional but gives it great flavor.

Russet potatoes, yukon gold potatoes, or a mix: I like to use about 8 for an even heartier stew, but you can use 6 as well.

Carrots: I used chopped mini carrots because I was out of large carrots.

Tomato paste or a touch of tomato sauce

Rosemary: Fresh herbs or dried

Cornstarch 

Water

Optional: Bay leaf or bay leaves

Optional additions: green beans, fresh parsley, or dry red wine

Another hearty recipe to try: Easy Classic Dutch Oven Chili Recipe

I have five growing children that are hungry at all times. I am truly in the business of filling bellies, and something like a hearty beef stew is the perfect thing for doing just that.

Using simple ingredients and simple tools and methods is important to me. I do not mind cooking a recipe that needs to simmer for awhile either, it actually might be preferred, because I can get it going earlier in the afternoon while the baby naps, and it will be ready by dinnertime.

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See recipe card below for precise measurements and instructions.

How to Make This Easy Beef Stew

Step 1. Have your beef bone broth made and ready to use. You can also use store-bought just fine for this recipe.

Step 2. Whisk flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper together and toss the thawed beef stew chunks in it.

Step 3. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large dutch oven or large pot. Add the floured stew meat. Give the beef plenty of space by keeping it in a single layer to help it cook through.

Step 4. Peel and chop the potatoes and carrots while you are waiting for the meat to brown.

Step 5. Once you have browned meat, scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to lift all those flavorful browned bits. Deglazing the pot by adding the bone broth and worcestershire sauce to the meat, making sure to scrape and get all that floured browned bits at the bottom of the pan.

Step 6. Add in the potatoes, carrots, tomato paste, dried rosemary, and bay leaf. Simmer on low heat for an hour, stirring occasionally to ensure there’s enough liquid and no sticking.

Step 7. After an hour, mix water and cornstarch in a small bowl to make a slurry. Add it to the stew until you reach your desired consistency.

Step 8. Season with salt and black pepper. I love to serve with a side of cornbread.

Variations & Add-Ins

This stew is endlessly adaptable. Here are a few ideas:

• Add chopped green beans for more vegetables
• Build a deeper layer of flavor with a splash of dry red wine
• Experiment with herbs like thyme, oregano, or sage
• Stir in a cup of water if you need to thin it out
• Serve with crusty bread for dipping

No matter how you customize it, this stays a true classic beef stew filled with simple ingredients and nourishing goodness.

Storage Tip: You can store leftovers in an airtight container, and they’ll keep beautifully for several days. The flavors deepen overnight, giving you rich tender beef stew the next time you heat it up.

What to Serve with Beef Stew

This hearty dish pairs wonderfully with:

• Crusty bread
• A simple green salad
• Hot rolls
• Homemade cornbread

Enjoy this Stove Top Beef Stew Recipe

Stew is the perfect comfort food… warm, filling, and deeply satisfying on cold evenings. This easy beef stew recipe is a great option for any night of the week.

It’s a hearty meal with so much flavor, made from everyday pantry staples, and it comes together simply on the stove top. Truly, a nourishing dinner for busy families.

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More Simple Recipes to Try:

• Overnight Baked French Toast
• Homemade Baked Oatmeal

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