Beef Stew Recipe

This Beef Stew Recipe combines tender smoked beef chuck, Yukon gold potatoes, fresh vegetables, red wine, and a rich savory broth for a hearty one-pot meal packed with incredible flavor.

When the weather turns cool, nothing hits the spot quite like a big bowl of homemade beef stew. This Beef Stew Recipe takes the classic comfort food you already love and adds one extra step that makes a big difference: smoking the beef before it goes into the Dutch oven.

Smoking the beef stew meat for 30 minutes adds a subtle smoky flavor before the beef gets browned and simmered low and slow with vegetables, red wine, beef broth, and herbs. As everything cooks together, the browned beef, flavorful browned bits, and savory broth create a rich stew that tastes like it simmered all day.

Why You’ll Love This Beef Stew Recipe

This easy beef stew recipe starts with simple ingredients but delivers plenty of flavor. The beef gets a quick smoke before being seared, which gives every bite an extra layer of smoky goodness.

Meanwhile, Yukon gold potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and peas make this a complete meal in one pot. The red wine also adds depth to the broth, while tomato paste helps build that rich, savory base.

Best of all, the Dutch oven does most of the work. Once everything comes together, the stew simmers over low heat until the beef becomes mouth tender and the vegetables are tender.

Ingredients You’ll Need For Beef Stew Recipe

• 2 pounds beef stew meat, cubed chuck roast
• 1 large onion, diced
• 5 whole carrots, peeled and sliced
• 4 stalks celery, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bag small Yukon gold potatoes
• 1 bag frozen peas
• 1 cup Cabernet red wine
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp thyme
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp Dale’s Steakhouse Seasoning
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 tbsp SPG blend
• Neutral oil, for searing

How to Make Beef Stew

1. Season and Smoke the Beef

First, generously season the beef stew meat with Dale’s Steakhouse Seasoning.

Then, arrange the beef cubes on a wire rack.

Next, place them on a smoker at 200°F for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, the quick smoke adds an extra layer of flavor without cooking the beef all the way through. As a result, the beef is ready for the next step while still developing that delicious smoky flavor.

2. Coat the Beef

Remove the beef from the smoker and place it in a bowl.

Lightly coat the beef cubes with flour, shaking off any excess. This coating will help the beef develop a beautiful crust and will also help thicken the stew.

3. Brown the Beef

Preheat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add a little neutral oil. Working in batches if necessary, sear the beef for 5–10 minutes, turning the pieces so they brown on all sides.

Remove the browned beef and set it aside. Don’t skip this step. Those flavorful browned bits on the bottom of the pot add incredible depth to the cooking liquid.

4. Cook the Vegetables

Add the butter, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and tomato paste to the Dutch oven.

Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon to loosen the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.

5. Build the Stew

Pour in the red wine and beef broth to deglaze the pot. Scrape the bottom again to release any remaining flavorful browned bits.

Then add the potatoes, thyme, bay leaves, SPG blend, and browned beef back into the Dutch oven.

6. Simmer Low and Slow

Reduce the heat to low and let the stew simmer for 2–3 hours. Stir occasionally and allow the cooking liquid to reduce and thicken. The low simmer gives the beef plenty of time to become tender while the flavors come together.

7. Add the Peas

About 20 minutes before the stew is finished, stir in the frozen peas. They cook quickly, so adding them near the end keeps them from becoming mushy.

8. Serve and Enjoy!

Once the beef and vegetables are tender and the broth has thickened, remove the bay leaves. Ladle the hearty beef stew into bowls and serve warm with crusty bread.

Expert Tips on Beef Stew Recipe

For the best results, use beef chuck or cubed chuck roast. It has enough marbling to stay flavorful and become tender during the long cooking time.

Also, don’t overcrowd the Dutch oven when browning the beef. If necessary, cook the beef in a second batch. Giving each piece enough space allows it to brown instead of steam.

Finally, give the stew time to simmer. The low heat is what transforms the beef into tender, flavorful bites and allows the savory broth to develop.

Beef Stew Recipe Variations

For even more flavor, add fresh herbs such as rosemary or parsley toward the end of cooking. You can also swap the Yukon gold potatoes for another waxy potato if needed.

Prefer a thicker stew? Let it simmer uncovered for the final portion of cooking so more of the liquid can reduce.

Storage

Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavor often gets even better the next day as the ingredients have more time to meld together.

For longer storage, freeze the cooled stew in freezer-safe containers. Thaw it in the refrigerator, then reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat.

Frequently Asked Questions About Beef Stew Recipe

Can I use chuck roast instead of beef stew meat? Absolutely. Chuck roast is an excellent choice for this recipe. Cut it into bite-sized beef cubes before seasoning and smoking.

Can I skip smoking the beef? You can, but the smoke adds extra flavor. If you’re short on time, you can season and brown the beef directly in the Dutch oven.

What should I serve with beef stew? Crusty bread is an easy choice for soaking up the rich broth. A simple green salad or roasted vegetables can also round out the meal.

Final Thoughts

This classic beef stew recipe takes a familiar comfort food and gives it a Burnt Pellet BBQ twist. Smoking the beef first adds another layer of flavor, while the Dutch oven brings everything together into a rich broth filled with tender beef, vegetables, and creamy Yukon gold potatoes.

It is the kind of hearty dinner that fills the whole kitchen with an incredible aroma and brings everyone to the table. Whether you’re making it for a cozy weekend dinner or preparing leftovers for the next day, this homemade beef stew recipe is comfort food at its best.

More Delicious Beef Recipes

Smoked Beef Short Rib Tacos – Smoky, tender beef short ribs get tucked into warm tortillas and finished with fresh toppings for a flavorful taco night everyone will love.

Smoked Beef Ribs with Chimichurri – These smoked beef ribs deliver rich, smoky flavor and tender meat, while bright homemade chimichurri adds a fresh, zesty finish to every bite.

Birria Quesadilla – Tender smoked beef, melty Oaxaca cheese, and flavorful birria come together in crispy tortillas for a cheesy, smoky quesadilla packed with bold Mexican-inspired flavor.

Korean BBQ Beef Sandwiches – Tender beef gets loaded onto toasted buns with bold Korean BBQ flavor, creating a hearty sandwich that brings plenty of smoky, savory goodness to the table.

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