Every stew has a secret. Mine… has a few.
(Yes, I am 100 percent trying to make my stew sound mysterious. is it working?)
So what are my secrets to making a thick flourless stew?
First, let me ask you this… why the heck would stew need flour in it? You guys. The secret to thickening up stew… is already IN the stew.
Confused? Let me explain: IT’S THE POTATOES.
The potatoes in the stew will thicken your stew just as well, if not better than flour. You just mash a few up right in the pot, and voila, you’ve got a thick stew.
Annnd, I’m pretty sure the chef who first came up with creating a flour-based slurry to thicken stew is rolling over in his grave…
My secrets don’t end there, remember, I told you this stew has a few.
Second secret: VINO. I don’t really care to drink wine, but when it comes to cooking, give me allll the wine. Let me get my stews drunk. Then let me sober them up by cooking out most of the alcohol.
Why add wine to stew? There’s a reason (unlike adding flour to stew which is just plain silly). Wine adds flavor to stew and because it’s acidic, it also helps tenderize meat. See that? Technically two reasons to get your stew drunk.
My favorite wine to use when making stew? Merlot. I love the flavor it adds but truthfully, if I’m in a pinch I’ll use whatever wine I have on hand.
Okay, now for my third secret to making the perfect bowl of beef stew… drumroll please…
THE SPICES. That includes the spicy serrano pepper. And the combination of salt, pepper, oregano, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg.
Can we be any more seasonal with these spices?
The result: a steaming bowl of coziness.
This simple beef stew isn’t your ordinary humble beef stew. It has more kick… more flavor… more of that mysterious stew oomph.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 pound beef stew meat
- 1 onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 serrano minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- Big pinch of nutmeg
- ¼ cup red wine
- 4 – 6 cups beef or chicken broth* divided
- 3 large carrots chopped
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 4 gold potatoes cubed
- Cilantro optional
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a dutch oven over high heat.
- Add the beef and sear on all sides for about 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions, garlic, serrano and saute for another 5 minutes.
- Add the spices, stir for a minute, then add the red wine and deglaze the pan.
- Next, add 4 cups of broth, bring the pot to a boil then reduce to low heat. Cover and cook for 1 hour, checking the pot at the halfway mark. If the broth has reduced too much, add the remaining broth.
- Give the contents of the pot a stir, then add the carrots, celery and potatoes to the pot, cover and cook for 30 more minutes.
- To thicken the stew, mash some of the potatoes right in the pot and mix well.
- Garnish with cilantro if desired.
Austin says
I subbed golden beets for carrots and sweet potatoes for golden b/c that is what I had on hand. Amazing, the spice and flavor is fantastic! this is a keeper!
My Heart Beets says
Austin, that’s awesome! Love that you used beets and sweet potatoes! I’m so glad you liked this 🙂
Dennis says
We’re expecting quite a snow storm tonight. So, when I saw this recipe, I had to give it a try. The spices are quite an inspiration. I had to do a little substituting–no serrano peppers in the store, but a squeeze of siracha sauce can do in a pinch. Swapped out parsnips for the celery, too.
What an aroma with which to fill the kitchen!
That’s what I like most about your recipe. It’s a great base start. And so easy! Thanks!
My Heart Beets says
Dennis, I’m glad you liked it!
Beth says
I have made this multiple times over the past few years, and it is amazing! I usually make it without Serrano peppers since I have small children. It is also very good with white sweet potatoes (paleo) and/or without paprika for those who have nightshade sensitivities. Ashley, this is my favorite fall and winter stew; so delicious and warm with the spices!
My Heart Beets says
Beth, I’m so happy to hear that this is your favorite fall/winter stew! Thank you so much for letting me know how much you like this 🙂
Karen says
I made this stew for dinner last night. I was a little hesitant when I saw the spices in the recipe, but honestly, they made for a lovely and flavourful stew. I did add some parsnip and frozen corn along with the other veggies. Both my teenaged boys inhaled their dinner and said it was delicious!! Thank you so much for a great stew recipe.
My Heart Beets says
I’m so glad you tried it! I know the spices are a little different but they really do enhance the stew! I’ll have to try adding parsnip and corn next time – sounds delicious!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
This was probably the best beef stew I’ve ever had. My husband and I loved it! We’ll definitely be making it again in the future! Thanks so much.
My Heart Beets says
Wow, I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you 🙂
GG Beez says
Thanks so much for this recipe!!! I love it!!! I have made it a couple of times and am making it again today. I’ve used it as a base for beef and also lamb stew. We don’t use potatoes or onions, so I typically use Japanese sweet potatoes and add more garlic. I also add squash varieties as well. It’s so delicious and savory and my family can’t get enough.
My Heart Beets says
I’m so glad you like the recipe!! Love the idea of adding Japanese sweet potatoes – I’ll have to try that the next time I make this! 🙂
Mary M. Martinez says
Gorgeous pictures. I love stews! They are such an easy-to-make dish for cold winter days and taste fantastic.
My Heart Beets says
Thanks, Mary!
Kay says
What would you use in place of the wine if you’re doing Whole30? More broth? Vinegar? Or just omit?
My Heart Beets says
You can leave it out or add more broth – either will work 🙂
Noel says
I’m thinking of making this in my crockpot on low for 8 hours. Going to sear the beef and then add everything except veggies and potatoes for the first 6 hours and then add the rest the last two. I’ll let u know how it turns out 🙂
My Heart Beets says
Noel, ooh yes can’t wait to hear how it is!!
Michele says
I’m looking forward to hearing as well! I have made this recipe on the stove and was considering making it in the crockpot for ease of day/evening. That said, I’m going the tried and true way tonight as we’re having friends over for dinner and six and well, it’s nearly noon. I’m pretty sure that the crockpot will do brilliantly (it’s how I usually do stews; low and slow).
Stephanie says
We are snowed/iced in in NC and I’m going to make this today. It sounds so good! Just a quick question, I don’t eat nightshades and have never cooked or eaten a parsnip but I bought some this week at Trader Joe’s. Could I sub parsnips for the potatoes?
My Heart Beets says
Yes, you can definitely sub parsnips for the potatoes! Please let me know how it turns out for you!
Stephanie says
The stew was delicious and the parsnips worked great. If I hadn’t made it myself, I’d have thought there were potatoes in there. I did all the spices and the merlot just like you said. This recipe has been filed with my keepers 🙂 Thank you!
My Heart Beets says
So happy to hear that, Stephanie!! 🙂
Michele says
I saw your post on Facebook recently about this recipe and remembered that I had some cheap stew meat in the deep freeze. I made it tonight without the potatoes or pepper (none on hand) and it was still amazing. I just finished up my second bowl (yay!) and my 9yo gave it a literal thumbs up and said it was ‘irresistible’. The hubs isn’t home yet (we couldn’t wait – it smelled so good) but I am sure he will love it as well. Thanks!
My Heart Beets says
So happy that you both love the soup!! Also, a 9-year-old calling one of my recipes “irresistible” is pretty much the best compliment I could ever get lol – so cute!
Helen says
I would love to try making this stew in my Instant Pot. What adjustments would you recommend for the best results? I am VERY new to pressure cooking and look forward to seeing more IP recipes and tips from you. Thank you! =)
My Heart Beets says
Helen, you can saute directly in the Instant Pot and then just click the meat/stew button to get it to cook faster 🙂 I’ll definitely be posting more Instant Pot recipes very soon!
Michelle says
I made this a billion times now as my weekly meal prep and has become my regular breakfasts and after work snacks. I was iffy about the combination of spices at first, but wow. Other beef stew recipes I tried before were meh… like something was missing. I feel like the nutmeg in this one makes a huge difference. Thanks for the recipe! And the potato idea 😉
My Heart Beets says
Michelle, that’s awesome!!! I’m so glad you make this so often 🙂
BD says
Thanks for the recipe. I look forward to trying it. Just for clarification what do you mean by 1/4tsp cardamom and cinnamon? Do we need cardamom and cinnamon powder or just the whole spices?
My Heart Beets says
1/4 teaspoon of the ground spices. Let me know how it turns out for you!
Katherine says
Wow. I just found a winner for my Hobbit and Lord of the Rings marathon next week! Thanks!
My Heart Beets says
Awesome!! I can’t wait to hear what you think 🙂
Colette says
Hi Ashley!
What an incredible Beef Stew! I was reluctant to even try this one. I’ve been devoted to my Grandmother’s Irish Stew with Guinness since I first learned to cook. But……considering every recipe of yours I try far surpasses all my other recipes I had to give it a try. WOWZA! I made one change, sweet potatoes for the gold potatoes ( nightshade allergy). Best I’ve ever had. Thanks,once again. We’d be lost without you.
My Heart Beets says
Colette, thank you!! I’m so glad you tried it and really liked it!! 🙂
PatMan says
Nice spice combo on this one – beefy, hearty, flavorful. Worked perfectly fine in my cheapo non-stick skillet too – nothing to deglaze with the wine of course, so I left the beef pieces char a little longer initially. Still totally added the wine of course 🙂
If you (like me) turn the heat down a little too much to start with, just remove the cover to compensate and let it thicken up – I left the cover off for the last 10 mins or so, then smooshed the spuds. Yum!! Great dish for a winter’s evening – thanks Ashley!
My Heart Beets says
Thanks, PatMan! Happy to hear that you tried and liked the stew!! 🙂