Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe
This old-fashioned beef stew has tender chunks of beef and carrots in a rich, flavorful gravy. I serve it over creamy mashed potatoes, which is how my family likes it. The beef is cooked slowly until tender, and the gravy has just the right consistency to coat the meat and spread over the potatoes.
I enjoy making this stew when I want a comforting homemade meal. The cinnamon, nutmeg, and paprika give the gravy a lovely flavor without overpowering the beef. And like many stews, I find that it tastes even better the next day!
Why I Serve Beef Stew with Mashed Potatoes
Most traditional beef stew recipes include potatoes, but I leave them out because my family prefers mashed potatoes on the side.
The gravy is thick enough to coat the beef but still flows nicely over the mashed potatoes. Since the potatoes are already creamy, you don’t need much gravy with each serving, and there’s usually plenty for everyone.
I also like that you get tender beef, soft carrots, and creamy mashed potatoes together in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Beef chuck: I use chuck cut into cubes. It has enough connective tissue to become tender during slow cooking.
- Carrot and onion: Add flavor and a little natural sweetness to the stew.
- Garlic: Adds another layer of flavor to the gravy.
- Flour: I coat the beef with flour before browning it. This also helps thicken the gravy as the stew cooks.
- Spices: Paprika, cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper give this stew its warm, savory flavor.
- Bay leaf: Adds flavor while the beef simmers.
- Boiling water: I use five cups, which gives us enough gravy to serve with the mashed potatoes.
You’ll find the exact measurements in the recipe card below.
💡Tip: I always pair this dish with creamy mashed potatoes since this is how my family likes it. But it tastes great with French olive bread or even focaccia bread.
How to Make Old Fashioned Beef Stew
- Brown the beef: Coat the beef cubes with flour and brown them in oil. Remove them from the pot.
- Cook the vegetables: In the same pot, cook the onion and carrot until the onion is translucent.
- Add the seasonings: Return the beef to the pot, add the garlic and spices, and stir briefly.
- Simmer: Pour in the boiling water and cook gently until the beef is tender and the gravy has thickened. Serve over mashed potatoes.
Can I Add Potatoes to the Stew?
Yes! If you prefer potatoes cooked in your beef stew, you can add Yukon Gold or red potatoes.
I leave them out because I enjoy serving the stew over mashed potatoes, but either way works.
You can also add mushrooms or celery if you want more vegetables.
What to Serve with Beef Stew
My favorite way to serve this stew is over mashed potatoes. The smooth potatoes go so well with the tender beef and seasoned gravy.
You can also serve it with plain rice or freshly baked bread to soak up the gravy.
Storing and Reheating
Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until thoroughly hot. Add a splash of water if the gravy has thickened in the refrigerator.
You can also freeze the stew in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
I like making this stew ahead of time because the flavors have more time to come together. Just prepare the mashed potatoes when you’re ready to serve.
⭐PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW
If you have tried this recipe and liked it, please give it a 5-star rating and leave a comment below with your experience!
Old Fashioned Beef Stew with Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 345 grams beef stew meat (chuck roast cut into cubes) around 12 oz
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large carrot chopped
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 clove garlic minced
- ¼ cup oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon salt Or to taste.
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 bay leaf
- 5 cups boiling water
Instructions
- Dust the beef cubes with flour and keep aside.
- In a large pot, add oil and brown the beef on both sides on medium high heat. When the beef stew meat is browned, remove and keep aside.
- In the previous pot, using the remaining oil, add the onion and carrot and cook until the onion is translucent.
- Add the previously browned beef, garlic, and spices. Stir for two minutes. Add the boiling water and simmer until the beef is tender. It will take an hour to 90 minutes depending on the size of the beef stew cut.
- You can add more water if the gravy is too thick for your taste.
Notes
- If you want to add potatoes to the beef stew, use Red potatoes or Yukon Gold.
- You can use lamb meat in this recipe. The cooking time will be shorter.
- Instead of boiling water, you can use beef stock.
- Do not cook the beef stew over high heat, the meat will not get as tender.
Such a comforting dish!
Thank you 🙂
Looks so good over the mashed potato!
Thanks Angie 🙂
This looks divine! I love juicy beef stew with a slightly thicker sauce. It’s a cold and rainy day today in New England, this would be perfect for dinner!
It’s cloudy and will rain here in New York too, I think of making some for myself too 🙂
This looks delicious! My husband loves comfort food and I think this would be a winner in our home. Can’t wait to try it!
Never thought to put beef stew over mashed potatoes since my stew has potatoes in it. But this would be something different. (BTW, I had those same dishes back in the day! My son has them now.)
I mostly have stews with bread but tasted great on mashed potatoes.
I love these dishes, they look elegant don’t they, I have brown and blue 🙂
Omg, I love beef stew. My mom used to make big crock pots of it when she was alive. I loved those nights! This looks amazing. I’m going to have to save this recipe.
xo, Kimberly
I’m sure you won’t be disappointed, this recipe is although simple but full of flavor!
Beef Stew is one of my favorites! This recipe looks easy and delicious. Definitely going to be giving this one a try.
This looks delicious! What an amazing, hearty and delicious dinner idea!
glad you shared the recipe with us it sounds so delicious and tasty one..great work though..gonna surely give a try to this..
I’m vegetarian but this looks incredibly delicious! Also, I have to say that I love your photos 💜
All I could think now after reading this recipe is that I want this for dinner. Yum! Now I am hungry 🙂
5-stars for this recipe.
Looks delicious! I’d love to try this! ❤️
I don’t eat meat, so I’ll try this with portobello mushrooms instead of beef. I bet it will be delish.
I’m craving. I love beef stew absolutely. We will try this, old fashion beef stew. Thanks for the wonderful recipe you made.
So so good! The cinnamon was a great touch