Beef Stew (Stove-Top)

Submitted by Zewbiedoo

"This is a version of beef stew that I sort of combined several recipes from others to come up with. Posting for safekeeping."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 15mins
• Ingredients: 18
• Yields: 4 quarts

ingredients

• 2 -3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 -3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
• 1 1⁄4 lbs stewing beef, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 teaspoon bacon grease, or 1-2 slices cooked crumbled bacon (optional)
• 1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes with basil and oregano
• 1 (16 ounce) can reduced-sodium beef broth
• 1 (6 ounce) can V8 vegetable juice (3/4 cup)
• 1⁄2 cup dark red wine (cabernet, merlot, etc.)
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• salt
• pepper
• oregano
• basil
• 4 medium red potatoes, cut into bitesize cubes (leave skin on)
• 2 cups sliced carrots
• 3⁄4 cup frozen peas, use more or less as desired
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

directions

1. Heat oil in a large pot (I use my 5qt cast iron dutch oven).
2. Saute garlic and beef until beef is browned on all sides and some of the liquid, if any, has cooked down.
3. Add onions and cook until translucent.
4. You can add a little bacon grease or cooked crumbled bacon at this point if you like, for extra flavor.
5. Add tomatoes, beef broth, V-8 juice, wine, red wine vinegar and seasonings; cover and simmer 1 hour.
6. Add potatoes, peas and carrots and simmer 1/2 hour to 1 hour or until vegetables are tender but not mushy.
7. In a small cup dissolve cornstarch in a little cold water and stir into stew to thicken.
8. Taste and reseason as necessary; serve with biscuits or crusty homemade bread.

Reviews

[lucylite44]

Very good. The only change I made was I don't drink wine and didn't want to pay that much for a bottle when I only needed 1/2 cup. So I used Grape Juice. I don't think it changed the taste but I also cant compare it using wine.

 

[girlygold21]

This has to be the best beef stew recipe made with tomatoes. My family really enjoyed it and everyone had seconds, which is very rare in our household. Thank you, will make again!

 

[Maven in the Making]

This was so delicious! We had it for a birthday dinner and everyone loved it. Hearty and tender, but not too heavy. True comfort food and worthy of seconds. Served with homemade bread. Mmmm.

 

[joyenel15]

the meat turned out perfect and it tasted even better the next day

 

[whatacook]

We loved this. It was very "Italian" (reminded me a bit of my spaghetti sauce, but with the beefyness of stew meat and broth). Paired well with a nice shiraz ; we enjoyed the meal! thanks for experimenting and coming up with a winner!