Get ready to take your taste buds on an epic culinary adventure, y’all! I’m about to show you how to transform ordinary ground beef into an INSANE, mouth-watering stew that’s guaranteed to have your family and friends begging for more. This is not your average stew, my friends – we’re talking about a flavor explosion that’s gonna rock your world! So, let’s dive in and get started on this revolutionary comfort food masterpiece.
Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Stew a Hearty Recipe for Comforting Meals
This ground beef stew is the ultimate in comfort food bliss! With its tender, juicy beef, and a rich, velvety broth infused with a symphony of aromatic spices, this dish is an absolute GAME-CHANGER. It’s the perfect way to warm your soul on a chilly day, and trust me, one bite will have you hooked. The best part? This recipe is so easy to make, even a complete kitchen newbie can whip up something sensational. Get ready to become a stew-making legend, my friends!
Ingredients
Get ready to fill your kitchen with the most incredible aroma as we gather up all the must-have ingredients for this ground beef stew. You’ll need ground beef, of course, along with onions, carrots, celery, garlic, tomato paste, beef broth, red wine, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, thyme, and a few other pantry staples. Trust me, this lineup is about to create a flavor explosion that will have your taste buds doing the happy dance.
- 1 lb – Ground Beef
- 1 large – Onion, diced
- 3 medium – Carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 stalks – Celery, sliced
- 4 cloves – Garlic, minced
Ingredient Substitutions
- Carrots: Diced potatoes (for a heartier stew)
- Red Wine: Balsamic vinegar (for a dietary swap)
How to Make Ground Beef Stew a Hearty Recipe for Comforting Meals
Alright, let’s get this stew-making party started! First, we’re going to brown the ground beef to perfection, searing in all that incredible flavor. Then, we’ll sauté the aromatic veggies until they’re soft and fragrant. Next, it’s time to deglaze the pan with some red wine, scraping up all those browned bits – trust me, that’s where the magic happens! Once we’ve built that flavorful foundation, we’ll add the beef broth, tomato paste, and spices, and let the whole thing simmer until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened to stew perfection. Get ready to have your mind blown, folks!
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by gathering all your ingredients and prepping them. Brown the ground beef in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Once the beef is cooked through and browned, remove it from the pot and set it aside.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In the same pot, sauté the onions, carrots, and celery in a bit of oil until they’re softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute, until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Add the cooked ground beef back to the pot, along with the beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30-45 minutes, until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Remove the bay leaves and season the stew with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. Get ready to have your taste buds dancing, y’all!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Heartier Stew: Add diced potatoes or mushrooms to the mix for an even more satisfying and filling dish.
- Spicy Kick: Sprinkle in a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of your favorite hot sauce to amp up the heat.
- Beer Swap: Instead of red wine, try using a dark beer for a rich, malty flavor.
- Veggie Swap: Swap out the carrots for other root veggies like parsnips or rutabaga.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Creamy mashed potatoes, crusty bread, shredded cheese, crispy bacon, and a dollop of sour cream.
Storage: Let the stew cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Reheat: Simply reheat the stew on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also zap it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
Make-Ahead: This stew is the gift that keeps on giving – you can make a big batch and enjoy it all week long!
Nutrition Information
Alright, let’s talk about the nutritional stats on this ground beef stew, because I know you’re all about that balanced diet. One serving of this hearty dish clocks in at around 300 calories, with a solid 25 grams of protein to keep you feeling full and satisfied. Plus, you’ll be getting a nice dose of fiber, vitamins, and minerals from all those veggies. So, go ahead and indulge in this comforting, flavor-packed stew, guilt-free!
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Protein: 25 g
- Carbs: 15 g
- Fat: 15 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this stew in the slow cooker or Instant Pot?
Absolutely! This ground beef stew is super versatile and can easily be adapted for the slow cooker or Instant Pot. For the slow cooker, simply brown the beef, sauté the veggies, then add everything to the slow cooker and let it simmer on low for 6-8 hours. In the Instant Pot, you can sauté the beef and veggies right in the pot, then pressure cook the stew for 25-30 minutes.
How can I make this stew more keto-friendly?
To make this ground beef stew keto-friendly, you can swap out the carrots for more low-carb veggies like zucchini or bell peppers. You can also reduce the amount of tomato paste and replace the red wine with a splash of beef broth or bone broth. And don’t forget to top it with plenty of shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream!
Can I freeze this ground beef stew?
Absolutely! This stew freezes beautifully. Just let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
What’s the best way to thicken the stew?
If you find your stew is a little too thin for your liking, there are a few easy ways to thicken it up. You can make a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water, then stir that into the simmering stew. You can also let the stew simmer for a bit longer, uncovered, to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, you can even mash up a few of the potatoes or carrots right in the pot to add some natural thickness.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! This recipe is super versatile, so you can easily swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. The cooking process will be the same, but you may need to adjust the seasoning a bit to account for the different protein. Just be sure to brown the turkey or chicken just as thoroughly as you would the beef to lock in all that delicious flavor.
Print
Ground Beef Stew: A Hearty Recipe for Comforting Meals
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Comfort Food Favorites
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Ground Beef Stew is a hearty and comforting meal, perfect for chilly evenings. Packed with vegetables and rich flavors, it’s sure to warm your soul.
Ingredients
2 lbs ground beef
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, sliced
3 potatoes, diced
2 cups beef broth
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
3. Stir in the carrots and potatoes, cooking for another 5 minutes.
4. Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes, bringing to a boil.
5. Add thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper, then reduce heat to simmer.
6. Cover and let simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Notes
For added flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine.
Serve with crusty bread for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: beef stew, comfort food, hearty meals