Soups & Stews Meat & Game

Wholesome Beef Stew

A rich and hearty beef stew slow-cooked with tender vegetables, butternut squash, and red wine. Perfect autumn comfort food with minimal effort.

By Ricky Robinson Updated September 30, 2022

As autumn settles in and brings about chilly nights, there is an undeniable craving for a hearty and comforting meal. This recipe offers a straightforward approach to preparing a stew, allowing the oven to do most of the work while you relax.

With just a few simple steps, you can create a warm and inviting dish. Begin by preparing the vegetables, ensuring they are cut to the desired size, then combine them with the rest of the ingredients in a pot. Once everything is assembled, bring the mixture to a boil and transfer it to the oven for a leisurely cook of three to four hours. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity.

The beef simmers slowly over the course of a few hours, transforming into tender morsels that practically melt in your mouth.

As the stew cooks in the oven, your kitchen will gradually fill with an irresistible aroma. The delightful scents wafting through the air will evoke feelings of comfort and anticipation.

Wholesome Beef Stew recipe image
Wholesome Beef Stew

The addition of wine creates a luscious gravy that thickens and intensifies in flavour, adding a touch of sophistication to this humble dish. The vegetables soften beautifully, absorbing the rich, savoury flavours whilst maintaining their texture and substance. The butternut squash adds a gentle sweetness that balances the depth of the beef and wine perfectly.

One of the great things about stews is their ability to improve with time. This recipe is no exception. After letting the flavours meld together in the pot, the stew reaches its full potential when reheated the following day. This not only deepens the flavours but also allows for a stress-free mealtime, as all the hard work has already been done. You can make this ahead and simply reheat it when needed.

The finishing touch of fresh lemon zest and rosemary lifts the entire dish, adding brightness and freshness to the rich, hearty stew. It is good for when you have got a crowd to feed.

Wholesome Beef Stew

Beef Potato Squash
Total Time 4 hrs 30 min
Servings 6 servings
Calories 520 cal
Protein 42g

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Knife
  • Casserole Pot
  • Chopping Board
  • Oven

Instructions

  1. 1
    Preheat the oven to 160°C (140°C Fan).
  2. 2
    Peel and chop the onion, then peel and quarter the parsnips, and peel and cut the carrots into batons. Deseed and roughly dice the squash, then peel and chop two cloves of garlic and cut the celery into small pieces.
  3. 3
    Heat a little oil with the butter in a casserole pot on a medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and sage leaves along with a little salt, then cook for 5 minutes. Keep stirring until the onions begin to soften, but not colour.
  4. 4
    Toss the beef in a little seasoned flour and add it to the pot with all of the vegetables and baby potatoes.
  5. 5
    Add the tomato purée, plum tomatoes, wine, bay leaves and stock, then give it a good stir. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. 6
    Bring to the boil then place a lid on the casserole pot and pop into the oven and allow to cook until the meat is tender. Check at 3 hours and if the beef is still not meltingly tender, put the stew back into the oven and check again every 15 minutes or so. When the meat falls apart easily, it's ready.
  7. 7
    Once cooked, take out of the oven and let the stew rest for 30 minutes. Garnish with lemon zest and some fresh rosemary.
Ricky Robinson - Recipe Author
Ricky Robinson

Home cook sharing delicious recipes with a focus on flavour and simplicity.

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Storage

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The stew tastes even better the next day as the flavours develop further. Reheat gently on the hob or in the oven.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with crusty bread or mashed potatoes to soak up the rich gravy. A simple green salad provides a fresh contrast.

Wholesome Beef Stew recipe image

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