Beef Stew

5 from 4 votes

Hearty Beef Stew made in a slow cooker or in the oven.

Prep Time20

Cook Time6

Total Time6 20

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: Servings

Calories: 294kcal

Author: Beth Mueller

1/2 cup Flour
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1.5 pounds stew meat
Vegetable Oil
1 can Condensed Beef Broth undiluted
2 cups Beef Broth from a box or can
2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
1 tablespoon Beefer Upper or other beef enhancers
6 to 8 cups large cubed vegetables potatoes, and carrots are traditional but use any vegetable you like
12 ounces Frozen Peas optional
12 ounces frozen pearl onions optional

Place flour, salt, and pepper in a plastic bag. Seal bag and shake to mix.
Open bag, place stew meat into a bag.
Reseal bag and shake to coat beef evenly.
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add enough vegetable oil to coat the bottom of skillet.
Add meat to skillet and cook, stirring often, until meat is browned on all sides.
Removed beef from skillet and place in a slow cooker or in a large pan with a lid.
Add the beef broths, Worcestershire sauce, and Beefer-Upper.
Stir to combine.
Cook on high in slow cooker for 4 to 6 hours or until meat is tender. Or preheat oven to 350 and bake for 2 to 3 hours until meat is tender.
Add vegetables to slow cooker or pan and stir to combine. Replace lid and continue to cook until vegetables are tender. This may take 45 minutes up to 2 hours. Cooking time will depend on the size and type of vegetables.
When vegetables are tender, remove from the oven or turn off the slow cooker. If a thicker stew is desired, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/2 cup of water. Add to stew and continue cooking until stew has thickened. Remove from heat.
Add peas and mix them in, if using. The residual heat will cook the peas.
Serve with grits and buttered biscuits for a classic dinner my way.

Cook time provided includes 4 to 6 hours of unattended simmering time.
Beef stew can be made on the stovetop by using a covered pan or Dutch oven and slow simmering until the meat is tender, then adding the vegetables and cooking until done.
To make in the oven use an ovensafe covered pan and cook at 350ºF for 2 to 3 hours until the meat is tender, then adding the vegetables and baking for anouther 45 minutes to an hour or until the vegetables are tender.