Beef Stew in Half the Time! Served with Rice (2024)

Beef Stew in Half the Time Served with Rice! This beef stew is the one meal you can count on that is always filling and satisfying, and when you serve it with rice or mashed potatoes to soak up that savory gravy, it’s become classic comfort food at its BEST!

What is Beef Stew?

Tender chunks of beef are quickly browned on stove-top, then simmered with red wine, beef broth, carrots, celery, onions, and sometimes with some fingerling potatoes added. We like to serve it over a bed of steamed rice, and at times with creamy mashed potatoes. (it’s the best!)

Beef stew is an outstanding dish and it makes this a perfect one-dish meal!

This recipe will make a large pot of beef stew to feed a large family and extra for lunch the next day.

What’s even better? This meal will cost about $12.00 dollars for a family of four.

What Makes our Beef Stew in Half the Time?

Keep in mind, that our mothers and grandmothers made beef stew. And, it would take them hours to cook and simmer the stew just to get the meat softened and tenderized enough to eat it. So here are the reasons for our stew to take less time:

• Always buy the best quality of beef! When shoppingfor beef chunks, we recommend buying the best quality of beef, making sure the package says “Beef for Stew!”

• This is the main reason for cutting the time in half when cooking, but it will give you the most tender bite and not turn out tough and chewy.
• Keep in mind, you pay a few pennies more, but it’s worth it. Less quality in the meat = more cooking time required.

No need to spend hours cooking in the kitchen. This recipe for beef stew is easily made on stove-top and in one pot!

Cook’s Notes and Tips for Success…

• First, before you start, take out the package of “beef for stew” from the refrigerator, and set it down on your counter, allowing the meat to warm up to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before starting.
• You can steam some rice while you are making the stew. And keep it covered, so it will be ready for you when serving.
• Red wine is the secret ingredient, as it lends to a savory and delicious gravy. It’s fabulous! So don’t leave it out!
• Vegetables are great in beef stew. You may even add in a few mini potatoes to this recipe, but we recommend you add them in at the very least 15 minutes before it’s done. Otherwise, you could end up with mushy potatoes in the stew.

• Also, you can add in one Parmesan rind to make the gravy more flavorful and give it a creamier texture.

• Serve beef stew over a bed of rice, and garnish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, at the table.

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*Follow along with our Step-by-Step directions, or jump down to the bottom for our full recipe card!

Ingredients for Beef Stew in Half the Time!Served with Rice:

• 1+ 1/2 pound beef chuck (for stew) cut into 2-inch or smaller pieces
• 3 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2cup red wine
• 1 onion- peeled, chopped
• 3 carrots – peeled, sliced
• 3 celery stalks – sliced
• Optional: 1 pound of fingerling potatoes – rinsed
• 4 cups all-naturalBeef Stock
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. salt
• cracked black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup freshly chopped parsley
• 4 cups steamed long grain rice

Directions to Make Beef Stew… (Easy Step by Step!)

1. In a large saucepot or Dutch oven, add olive oil, and butter.

2. Next, open your package of beef chunks and if you need to, you can cut each piece of meat into half. They usually come in large pieces, and I prefer to cut all the pieces into smaller pieces, this will cut the cooking time in half as well. Then lightly season the meat with some salt and pepper and set aside.

3. In a small dish, place the flour. Dip each piece of meat into the flour and coat all sides. No need to dust off excess flour.

4. Turn on the heat under the pot, and moderate heat. Drop each piece of flour-coated meat into the pot with melted butter and oil.

5. Raise the heat to medium heat and sear the meat to brown on all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes.

6. Pour in the red wine and simmer on low heat, for 2 to 4 minutes, and allow the wine to reduce a little. Using a wooden spoon, stir and scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen the flour as the wine begins to thicken.

7. Finally, add all the vegetables, seasonings, beef stock, freshly chopped parsley, and fresh rosemary. Bring to a low boil. Then lower the heat to simmer, uncovered, for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

8. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If needed, you can add 1 or 2 teaspoons of cornstarch or flour to thicken the gravy.

QUICK NOTE: Finally, pull out a piece of meat to see if the meat is tender. If tender, turn off the heat. Fish and remove the sprig of rosemary and discard. Cover until ready to serve.

9. Meanwhile, in a medium-sized pot, cook the rice, following the directions on the package. When the rice is ready, spoon some rice into serving dishes, then create a well in the center of the rice and fill the center with a heaping scoop of beef stew and gravy. Serve immediately.

Serves: 6

Can We Make Beef Stew in Our Slow Cooker?

• This recipe will definitely work with your slow cooker or crockpot as long as you brown the meat first and then add in all the rest of the ingredients. Then turn on your slow-cooker and allow to slow cook for 4 to 6 hours.

Can We Freeze Beef Stew?

• Yes, you can. You can freeze for up to one month. We sometimes make beef stew on a lazy Sunday and even double the recipe so we can either reheat some during the weeknight and freeze a batch.

Beef Stew is perfect served over a bed of rice or mashed potatoes to soak up that delicious savory gravy.

This is such a delicious meal. I bet your family will go bonkers over this beef stew. And, when you’re cooking this stew, your entire house will smell like HEAVEN, and that alone will bring everyone to the table, presto!

ENJOY!!

More Tasty Stew Recipes!

• Easy Veal Stew with Wine, Peas and Carrots
• Traditional Hungarian Goulash (The Best Goulash)
• String Beans Tomato Potato Stew
• Spring Veal Stew with Baby Peas
• Dad’s Favorite Vegetarian Italian Stew
• also, try our Beef Vegetable Soup!

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Finally, your family might also enjoy our Savory Slow Cooked Beef Brisket in Wine Gravy, it is so delicious with minimal prep work!

Hello friends! Have you tried our beef stew recipe? Let us know andleave a comment with a star rating, your insights and experience will help everyone who reads them, and will help us too!

Happy Cooking! 🙂

xo anna and liz