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Hearty Comfort Food Recipe | Budget-Friendly Family Dinner | High-Protein Meal Prep Idea

If you’re searching for the perfect comfort food dinner recipe, a cozy winter meal idea, or a rich and satisfying family-friendly beef recipe, this Slow-Braised Beef Stew with Vegetables is exactly what you need.

Tender chunks of beef simmered low and slow with carrots, potatoes, garlic, and herbs in a rich savory broth — this is the kind of classic homemade beef stew that fills your kitchen with irresistible aroma and your table with happy faces.

Perfect for meal prep, Sunday family dinners, or even budget-friendly freezer meals.

📸 Why This Beef Stew Recipe Works

✔ Fall-apart tender beef
✔ Deep, rich slow-braised flavor
✔ Packed with nutritious vegetables
✔ Great for batch cooking
✔ High-protein comfort meal

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

🥩 For the Beef:

1.2 kg beef chuck (cut into large cubes)
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt & black pepper
2 tbsp all-purpose flour

🥕 Vegetables:

3 carrots (chunked)
4 baby potatoes (halved)
1 large onion (chopped)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
1 cup mushrooms (optional but delicious)

🥣 For the Braising Liquid:

2 cups beef stock
1 cup red wine (optional for depth of flavor)
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Brown the Beef

Season beef with salt and pepper. Toss lightly in flour.

Heat olive oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear beef in batches until deeply browned. This step builds flavor — don’t skip it.

Remove and set aside.

2️⃣ Build the Flavor Base

In the same pot, sauté onions and garlic until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen flavor.

3️⃣ Deglaze & Braise

Pour in red wine (if using) and scrape up browned bits from the bottom.

Add beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf. Return beef to the pot.

Cover and simmer on low heat for 1.5–2 hours.

4️⃣ Add Vegetables

Add carrots, potatoes, and mushrooms. Continue simmering for another 40–45 minutes until vegetables are tender and beef is fork-soft.

5️⃣ Adjust & Serve

Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Serve hot over:

Creamy mashed potatoes
Buttered rice
Or with crusty bread

🧮 Nutrition Estimate (Per Serving)

Calories: 450–520
Protein: 35–40g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Iron-rich & nutrient-dense

Perfect for readers searching for:

High-protein dinner recipes
Budget family meals
Healthy comfort food options
Winter slow cooker recipes

💡 Pro Cooking Tips

✔ Use beef chuck for best braising results
✔ Low and slow cooking makes meat tender
✔ Stew tastes even better the next day
✔ Freeze leftovers for easy meal prep

🥘 Slow Cooker Option

For a slow cooker beef stew recipe, transfer everything after browning into a slow cooker and cook:

LOW: 7–8 hours
HIGH: 4–5 hours

Add vegetables halfway through for best texture.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best cut of beef for stew?

Beef chuck roast is ideal because it becomes tender when slow-braised.

Can I make beef stew without wine?

Absolutely! Simply substitute extra beef stock.

How long does beef stew last?

Store in airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator or freeze for 3 months.

💛 Final Thoughts

This Slow-Braised Beef Stew with Vegetables is the ultimate comfort food classic — hearty, nourishing, and deeply satisfying. It’s perfect for cozy evenings, family gatherings, or when you want a restaurant-quality meal at home without the high cost.

If you love rich, traditional recipes that also work great for meal prep and freezer-friendly dinners, this one deserves a permanent spot in your kitchen 🥰