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Rich and Hearty Ground Beef Stew

The Ultimate Hearty Ground Beef Stew: An Easy & Flavorful One-Pot Meal

Hearty Ground Beef Stew with vegetables and rich broth





4.50 from 10 votes

Ground Beef Stew

By:
Julia Pacheco

This ground beef stew is the epitome of comfort food, offering a delicious and incredibly satisfying meal that’s perfect for chilly evenings or any time you crave a hearty dish. This budget-friendly version of classic beef stew is made with wholesome, robust vegetables, flavorful ground beef, and a rich, savory broth that simmers to perfection. It’s a simple yet deeply flavorful one-pot meal that the whole family will love, delivering warmth and nourishment with every spoonful. Easy to prepare and packed with incredible taste, it’s a go-to recipe for a satisfying dinner.
Prep:
10 minutes
Cook:
40 minutes
Total:
50 minutes
Servings:
5 servings
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Ingredients

To create this incredibly delicious ground beef stew, you’ll need a selection of fresh vegetables, savory beef, and a few pantry staples. Using fresh, quality ingredients will ensure the best flavor and texture in your finished stew.

  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 3 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed small
  • 3 large carrots, diced
  • 1 rib celery, sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 tbs minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 4 ½ cups beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 1 cup frozen peas
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Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create a truly irresistible ground beef stew. Each stage is designed to build layers of flavor, resulting in a perfectly balanced and deeply satisfying meal.

  1. Step 1: Sauté Vegetables
    To a large Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot, add the olive oil and place it over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering and hot, add the diced yellow onion, sliced celery, and diced carrots. Cook these vegetables for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step allows the vegetables to soften slightly and begin to release their sweet, aromatic flavors, forming the foundation of your stew. Don’t rush this process; it’s crucial for depth of flavor.
  2. Step 2: Brown Ground Beef and Add Aromatics
    Next, add the ground beef and minced garlic to the pot with the softened vegetables. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break the ground beef into small pieces as it cooks. Continue to cook until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink. This usually takes another 5-7 minutes. Once cooked through, carefully drain any excess grease from the pot. This step ensures your stew isn’t overly greasy and allows the beef to get a nice sear.
  3. Step 3: Build the Base with Flour and Tomato Paste
    Now, sprinkle the flour evenly over the ground beef and vegetables. Stir it in thoroughly, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the flour is completely incorporated and no longer appears white. This creates a roux that will thicken the stew. Then, stir in the tomato paste. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, allowing the tomato paste to deepen in color and flavor. This also helps to remove any raw taste from the paste, giving the stew a rich, umami base.
  4. Step 4: Combine Liquids, Seasonings, and Remaining Ingredients
    Pour in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything well, making sure to scrape up any flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot with your spoon. These bits, known as fond, add immense flavor to the stew. Add the peeled and cubed russet potatoes and the frozen peas. Give it another good stir to combine all the ingredients evenly.
  5. Step 5: Simmer to Perfection
    Cover the Dutch oven or pot with a lid and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and let it cook, covered, for 35 minutes. Remember to stir occasionally during this simmering period to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking of the vegetables and beef. This long, slow simmer allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the vegetables, especially the potatoes, to become wonderfully tender.
  6. Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
    Once the stew has simmered for 35 minutes and the vegetables are tender, your hearty ground beef stew is ready to be served! Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Ladle generous portions into bowls and serve hot with your favorite accompaniments like crusty bread or a fresh green salad. Enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of this homemade classic!

Nutrition

Calories: 468kcal |
Carbohydrates: 44g |
Protein: 25g |
Fat: 22g |
Saturated Fat: 8g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 10g |
Trans Fat: 1g |
Cholesterol: 64mg |
Sodium: 1688mg |
Potassium: 1546mg |
Fiber: 7g |
Sugar: 10g |
Vitamin A: 8006IU |
Vitamin C: 32mg |
Calcium: 102mg |
Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Why You’ll Love This Hearty Ground Beef Stew

This ground beef stew isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. Its simplicity belies a depth of flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s incredibly versatile, allowing for easy substitutions based on what you have on hand or what your family prefers. The hearty combination of tender ground beef, soft potatoes, and sweet vegetables swimming in a rich, savory broth makes it the ultimate comfort food for any season. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to feed a crowd on a budget without sacrificing taste or quality.

Tips for the Perfect Ground Beef Stew

  • Don’t Skimp on Browning: Browning the ground beef deeply before adding liquids is crucial. This step, known as the Maillard reaction, creates rich, complex flavors that form the backbone of your stew. Don’t rush it; let the beef get a nice, crusty brown.
  • Scrape the Fond: After browning the beef and cooking the flour/tomato paste, when you add the beef broth, be sure to scrape up any browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pot. These bits are packed with flavor and will dissolve into the broth, enhancing the stew’s overall taste.
  • Dice Vegetables Evenly: For consistent cooking, try to dice your onions, carrots, and potatoes into roughly similar sizes. This ensures that all vegetables become tender at the same rate.
  • Adjust Seasoning to Taste: Recipes provide a great starting point, but always taste your stew before serving. You might find it needs a little more salt, pepper, or even a dash more Italian seasoning to suit your preferences.
  • Let it Simmer: The 35-minute simmer time is essential for the flavors to fully meld and for the potatoes to become tender. Resist the urge to rush this step. If the stew thickens too much, you can always add a splash more beef broth or water.

Serving Suggestions for Your Ground Beef Stew

This hearty ground beef stew is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple additions:

  • Crusty Bread: A warm loaf of crusty bread or dinner rolls is perfect for soaking up every last bit of that delicious, savory broth.
  • Green Salad: A light, fresh green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a lovely contrast to the richness of the stew.
  • Cornbread: For a true Southern comfort experience, serve your stew alongside warm, buttery cornbread.
  • Rice or Noodles: While the potatoes make it filling, some prefer to serve stew over a bed of fluffy white rice or egg noodles.

Storage and Reheating

Ground beef stew is fantastic for meal prepping and often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

  • Refrigeration: Allow the stew to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Freezing: This stew freezes beautifully! Once cooled, transfer it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheating: Gently reheat the stew on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s warmed through. If it’s too thick, you can add a little extra beef broth or water to reach your desired consistency. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.

Customizing Your Ground Beef Stew: Variations & Substitutions

One of the best things about ground beef stew is how easily it can be adapted to your taste or what you have available:

  • Different Vegetables: Feel free to add other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips, or leafy greens like spinach or kale during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Mushrooms also make a great addition.
  • Spice It Up: For a touch of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other seasonings.
  • Herbs: Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or bay leaves can be added with the broth for an extra layer of aroma. Remove bay leaves before serving.
  • Different Broth: While beef broth offers the richest flavor, you could use vegetable broth if preferred, though the taste profile will change slightly.
  • Wine: For an even deeper flavor, deglaze the pot with half a cup of red wine after browning the beef and before adding the flour. Cook until the wine has mostly evaporated.
  • Gluten-Free Option: To make this stew gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend or use a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) added at the end of cooking to thicken.
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