Hearty Beef Stew with Carrots, Potatoes & Creamy Mash
Comfort food at its finest! This rich, tender beef stew simmers in a savory broth with carrots and potatoes, served over velvety mashed potatoes for the ultimate cozy meal. Perfect for chilly nights!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Fall-apart tender beef – Slow-simmered for maximum flavor
✔ One-pot wonder – Easy cleanup, big flavor
✔ Crowd-pleaser – Family-friendly and freezer-friendly
✔ Restaurant-quality – Feels gourmet but simple to make
Ingredients
For the Beef Stew
- 800g beef chuck (or blade cut), cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 500ml beef broth
- 250ml red wine (optional, but recommended)
For the Creamy Mash
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 50g butter
- 100ml milk or cream
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Brown the Beef
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven/pot over medium-high heat.
- Sear beef in batches until deeply browned (5 mins per batch). Don’t overcrowd!
- Remove beef and set aside.
2. Build the Stew Base
- In the same pot, sauté onion and garlic until soft (3 mins).
- Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute to deepen flavor.
- Deglaze with red wine (if using), scraping up browned bits. Simmer 3 mins.
- Return beef to pot. Add broth, carrots, and potatoes.
3. Simmer to Perfection
- Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook 1.5 hours (stir occasionally).
- Test doneness: Beef should shred easily with a fork.
4. Make the Creamy Mash
- Boil potatoes in salted water until tender (20 mins). Drain.
- Mash with butter, warm milk/cream, and season to taste.
5. Serve & Enjoy!
🍲 Spoon stew over mashed potatoes and garnish with fresh parsley.
Pro Tips for the Best Beef Stew
- Browning is key – Don’t rush this step! It adds depth.
- No wine? Use extra broth + 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar.
- Thicken stew – Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with cold water, stir in at the end.
- Make ahead – Tastes even better the next day!
Storage & Freezing
❄️ Fridge: Up to 4 days
❄️ Freezer: Up to 3 months (store stew and mash separately)
