Hearty Beef & Potato Stew: A Comforting One-Pot Classic

December 10, 2025

Matt Treece

There’s a reason Beef & Potato Stew has remained a timeless favorite in kitchens around the world. This dish brings together tender pieces of beef, soft potatoes, aromatic vegetables, and a rich, savory broth that warms you from the inside out. It’s the kind of meal that feels like home with a simple, nourishing, and deeply satisfying taste.

Part of its charm lies in its uncomplicated nature. With just a few wholesome ingredients and minimal hands-on effort, you can create a pot of food that’s filling and flavorful. Families have relied on variations of this hearty beef stew for generations, often passing down their own small twists and traditions. And while every version is a little bit different, the heart of the dish remains the same: good ingredients, simmered until everything combines beautifully.

If you’re new to making stews or returned to a beloved classic, this recipe will remind you that great food doesn’t have to be fancy. Sometimes, the most comforting dishes are the simplest ones prepared with care.

Ingredients List

It’s really very simple to prepare the perfect stew with sturdy ingredients that deliver big flavor. Here’s everything you’ll need, along with a few helpful notes to guide your choices:

Beef

Beef chuck (recommended)
Stewing beef

Beef chuck comes from the shoulder (that’s why it works well), a hardworking part of the animal with lots of connective tissue. When cooked low and slow, that tissue melts down and creates incredibly tender, flavorful bites, exactly what you want in a stew. It’s affordable, richly marbled, and practically foolproof for long simmering.

Vegetables

Potatoes
Carrots
Onions
Celery

Best potato types:

Yukon Gold - creamy, buttery, which holds shape perfectly
Russet - softer texture, breaks down slightly to thicken the stew
Red potatoes - firm, waxy, and great for keeping their shape

Yukon Gold is the most balanced option, but any combination works depending on the texture you prefer.

Broth & Seasoning

Beef stock
Tomato paste
Garlic
Bay leaves
Thyme or rosemary
Salt and pepper

These seasonings bring depth to the stew without overwhelming its simple, rustic flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Getting started is easy - by cooking the stew in stages, you’ll help each ingredient develop a deeper flavor, making your Beef & Potato Stew taste rich, cozy, and completely homemade. Tip: Browning well at the start makes a huge difference.

1 ) Prep (10-15 minutes)

Pat the beef dry and season with salt and pepper. Cut large pieces into 1-1 ½ inch cubes if not pre-cut.
Peel/chop the potatoes, slice the carrots, dice the onion, and mince the garlic.

2 ) Brown the beef (8-12 minutes)

Stovetop: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches (2-3 minutes per side) until nicely caramelized. Remove and set aside.
If using a slow cooker or Instant Pot, still brown the beef first, as it adds flavor.

3) Sauté onions and garlic (4-6 minutes)

In the same pot, lower the heat to medium. Add a bit more oil or butter, then saute the onions until they are translucent (3-4 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Scrape up browned bits from the bottom.

4) Add tomato paste, vegetables, and beef (2-3 minutes)

Stir in 1-2 tbsp tomato paste and cook briefly to deepen flavor
Return beef to the pot and add carrots, celery, and potatoes.

5) Add broth & seasoning, bring to a simmer (2-5 minutes)

Pour in enough beef stock to just cover the ingredients (about 4-5 cups for a standard recipe). Add bay leaf, thyme/rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower to a simmer.

6) Cook until beef is tender and potatoes are soft - timing by method

Stovetop (Dutch oven) - cover and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Check after 90 minutes; the beef should be fork-tender, and the potatoes should be soft but intact.
Slow cooker - transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. If you didn’t brown the beef first, use high for the first hour.
Instant Pot - close lid, seal valve, and pressure cook on high for 35 minutes, then allow natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes before quick-releasing any remaining pressure. Use the saute function at the end if you want to thicken the sauce.

7) Finish and adjust (5-10 minutes)

Remove the bay leaf, then taste and adjust the salt/pepper. If the stew is too thin, simmer it uncovered on the stovetop or use the Instant Pot Saute function for 5-10 minutes to reduce the liquid. To thicken quickly, mash a few potato pieces into the broth or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp cold water).

8) Serve

Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley if you want. This one-pot beef stew is best served with crusty bread or over buttered noodles for a complete comfort meal.

Tips for Best Results

Cooking a classic beef stew recipe that’s full of flavor and has the perfect texture doesn’t have to be tricky. Here are some easy tips to make sure your stew turns out amazing every time:

Get tender beef every time - pick well-marbled cuts like beef chuck and cook them slowly. Browning the beef first locks in the flavor and keeps it juicy.
Thicken your stew - for a heartier consistency, you can stir in a little flour or cornstarch slurry, or just let the stew simmer uncovered to reduce naturally.
Keep potatoes from getting mushy - add them later in the cooking process and use firm types, such as Yukon Gold or red potatoes, so they retain their shape.

Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can have fun customizing your beef stew with potatoes to suit your taste or occasion. Here are a few tasty ideas:

Irish-inspired version - add a splash of Guinness for a deep, malty flavor that pairs beautifully with the beef.
Tomato-based stew - stir in extra tomato paste or diced tomatoes for a slightly tangy and rich twist.
Spicy version - sprinkle in paprika, chili flakes, or a dash of cayenne to give the stew a gentle kick.
Vegetable swaps - mix things up with turnips, peas, or sweet potatoes for added color, texture, and nutrition.

These variations make your slow-cooked beef stew versatile and enjoyable, allowing you to enjoy a different flavor profile each time you prepare it.

What to Serve With Beef & Potato Stew

A warm bowl of one-pot beef stew is comforting, but pairing it with the right sides takes the meal to the next level. These are some ideas you can try for your meal:

Bread and rolls - crusty bread, soft dinner rolls, or even cornbread are perfect for soaking up the rich, savory broth.
Rice - a simple bed of steamed rice helps make the stew even heartier and stretches the meal for family-style servings.
Side salad - a fresh green salad adds a crisp, light contrast to the rich flavors of the stew.
Roasted vegetables - roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or parsnips complement the stew’s earthy taste while adding extra texture and color.

Storage & Meal Prep

Making a big batch of easy beef stew recipe is perfect for meal prep, and it keeps well if stored properly. After cooking, allow the stew to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Stored in the fridge, it will stay fresh for 3-4 days, which gives you several opportunities to enjoy a comfort food dinner during the week.

If you want to freeze it, portion the stew into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. It can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, simply thaw it overnight in the fridge.

To reheat without drying it out, you can warm the stew gently on the stovetop over low heat. If it seems too thick, add a splash of beef stock or water to help keep it moist and flavorful. Following these tips ensures your easy beef stew recipe stays hearty, rich, and delicious whenever you need a cozy meal.