Description
A hearty and flavorful Ground Beef Stew packed with tender vegetables and rich seasonings, perfect for a comforting family meal. This easy-to-make stew combines ground beef with potatoes, carrots, celery, and aromatic herbs simmered to perfection in a thickened savory broth.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 or leaner)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 pounds red potatoes, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 4 medium carrots, sliced
- 4 medium celery ribs, sliced
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
Thickening Agent
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, salt, and black pepper. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until it is no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary to keep the stew from becoming greasy.
- Cook Garlic and Tomato Paste: Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant to develop deeper flavors in the stew.
- Add Liquids: Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits, which add richness to the stew base.
- Add Vegetables and Seasonings: Add diced red potatoes, diced white onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Stir in granulated sugar, dried basil, oregano, parsley, paprika, and ground allspice evenly into the mixture.
- Simmer: Bring the stew to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and let it simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded beautifully.
- Thicken the Stew: In a small bowl, mix the cold water with cornstarch until completely dissolved. Slowly pour this slurry into the stew while stirring continuously. Continue cooking on low heat for a few more minutes until the stew thickens to a hearty consistency.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed. Serve the stew hot for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner stew option.
- For a thicker stew, let it simmer uncovered for an extra 10 minutes before adding the cornstarch slurry.
- Adding a splash of red wine during step 3 can enhance the stew’s depth.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors continue to develop.
- This stew freezes well; store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
