3 hours | serves 8
There’s nothing quite like a hearty beef stew to warm you up on a cold winter day on Cape Cod. As the chill sets in and the snow begins to fall, this comforting dish becomes a staple, featuring tender chunks of beef simmered to perfection with a medley of root vegetables, aromatic herbs, and rich broth. The slow-cooking process melds the flavors beautifully, creating a savory, satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug. Enjoy it with a slice of crusty bread by the fire, and you’ll understand why beef stew is the ultimate winter comfort food, perfect for cozy gatherings with family and friends.
What you need to do before you begin
Stew meat: Typically a tougher cut of beef and are able withstand the long cooking process for a stew. These cuts come from the more active muscles of the animal, which makes them flavorful, but also tougher than more tender cuts like a filet mignon or ribeye.
Root vegetables: In a typical beef stew using carrots and potatoes are standard for a delicious and hearty soup. If you would like to, you can also add in parsnips, turnips and or sweet potatoes. All great additions and a fun way to make different variations!
Optional Addition:
Coconut Milk
Adding coconut milk to a beef stew introduces a rich, creamy texture and a subtle sweetness that beautifully balances the savory flavors of the dish. The tropical notes of coconut milk add depth and complexity, transforming the traditional beef stew into a unique culinary experience. Additionally, the fat content in coconut milk helps to tenderize the meat during cooking, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture. This unexpected twist not only enhances the overall flavor profile but also adds a touch of warmth and comfort, making it a perfect choice for cozy meals on chilly days.
Step 1: SWEAT IT OUT
On medium to high heat, in a large saucepan add butter and let it melt completely. Then add your chopped onions and sweat the onions out until they are becoming translucent for about 2 minutes. You will now add in your stew meat and brown each piece on each side. You will then add in your minced garlic and stir for a minute, making sure your garlic does not burn.
Then you will add in your broth and stir, you will now be incorporating your spices. Take the thyme and add to the pan, add your bullion cubes and then add in your salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat and let your stew come to a simmer. Simmer on low for an hour. Occasionally stirring every half hour.
Step 2: ROOT VEGETABLES
Take your vegetables, in my case potatoes and carrots and add them to your pot. This is an optional step, but I sometimes like to add a ½ cup of coconut milk for nutritious value. It is also a pleasant taste!
Let simmer for another hour and a half, occasionally stirring every ½ hour.
Pull out your favorite bowl and serve yourself a delicious helping of beef stew.
Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 lb stew meat
- 1 chopped large white onion
- 5 yukon potatoes, cut in fours or one inch pieces
- 6 large peeled, carrots chopped into inch
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups beef broth
- 4 tbsp of butter
- 1 tbsp pepper
- 3 tsp of salt
- 1 tbsp of fresh thyme
- 2 beef bullion cubes
