Here’s a classic, hearty beef stew with mashed potatoes recipe — comfort food at its finest.
Beef Stew
Ingredients
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2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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2–3 tablespoons vegetable oil
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1 large onion, chopped
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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4 cups beef broth
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1 cup red wine (optional, can use extra broth instead)
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2 tablespoons tomato paste
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2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
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3 carrots, cut into chunks
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3 celery stalks, sliced
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3 medium potatoes, cut into chunks (or reserve for mashed potatoes)
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1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme)
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1–2 bay leaves
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2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for thickening, optional)
Instructions
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Brown the beef: Season beef with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches until all sides are seared. Remove and set aside.
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Sauté vegetables: In the same pot, add onions, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes until onions are translucent. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
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Deglaze & simmer: Stir in tomato paste, then add wine (if using) and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Return beef to the pot. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaves, and potatoes (if using in stew). Bring to a boil.
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Cook: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5–2 hours until beef is tender.
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Optional thickening: Mix flour with a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into stew. Cook for another 5–10 minutes until thickened. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
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2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
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½–¾ cup milk (adjust for desired creaminess)
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4 tablespoons butter
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Boil potatoes: Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt. Boil until tender, about 15–20 minutes.
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Mash: Drain potatoes and return to pot. Mash with butter and gradually add milk until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
Serving
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Spoon mashed potatoes onto a plate and ladle the beef stew over them for a classic, hearty comfort meal.
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Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color.
If you want, I can also give you a one-pot version where the beef stew and mashed potatoes cook together — saves time and cleanup. Do you want me to do that?
