10 Perfect Beef Stew Recipes So Perfect for Chilly Days

When the temperatures drop, we all crave so comforting and warming food. And what is more satisfying than a hearty, delicious beef stew? The beef stew recipes are aplenty, but we want to share our favorite ones with you!

Tender beef that melts in your mouth, simmered with potatoes, peas, carrots, onions, and the rest of your favorite vegetables - beef stew is the ultimate chilly weather food. Not to mention the mouth-watering aroma cooking beef stew fills the house with.

Treat yourself and your family to this hearty seasonal dish making one of these recipes. And take notes on our tried and tested beef stew essential cooking tips.

The great thing about making beef stew is that you can use pretty much any cut of beef. On top of letting your meat braise or simmer for hours, a few extra tricks guarantee your beef will turn out soft and delicious.

• Use a meat tenderizer
  Don’t be afraid to use a tenderizer mix. Opposite to the common opinion, meat tenderizers don’t contain harmful ‘chemicals’ but are instead made using fruit extracts or enzymes from papaya and pineapple.


• Slice against the grain
  Cut your meat against the muscle fiber instead of parallel to it. It will guarantee your beef turns out tender and melts in your mouth.


• Add some red wine
  Not only can red wine add extra depth of flavor to your beef stew, but it also helps to tenderize. Don’t use “cooking wine” but go for good quality dry wine like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot.

If you’re making a slow cooker or a crockpot, you should always take the time to brown the beef, it does make a difference.
The delicious browned caramelized surface of the meat will add extra rich flavor to your dish.

How to brown beef the right way:

1. Dry your cut beef with paper towels.


2. Season with some salt right before browning.


3. Place on a lightly oiled iron cast skillet (don’t use a nonstick pan for browning, it just doesn’t do the job).


4. Leave it browning for a couple of minutes on each side and proceed to add it to your slow cooker or crockpot with the rest of the ingredients.

Everyone has a favorite side dish to serve, along with a hearty beef stew. If you don’t know the best side dish to make or want to try something new, here are some ideas for you.