Fall is here, and if you’re anything like us, that means it’s officially soup and stew season! Nothing beats the aroma and comforting warmth of a hearty bowl of beef stew on a chilly evening. And we’re not talking about just any beef stew – we’re talking about a deeply flavorful, incredibly satisfying stew that will become a family favorite. Inspired by classic, comforting recipes, this beef stew recipe channels that beloved “Pioneer Woman” style, bringing simple, wholesome goodness to your table.
This isn’t just another beef stew recipe; it’s the beef stew recipe. We may be tooting our own horn a bit, but we confidently declare this the best beef stew you’ll ever make. Move over, fancy chefs – this is home-style cooking at its finest!
Hearty and colorful beef stew in a bowl, showcasing chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and celery.
Why This Beef Stew is a Family Favorite
What makes this beef stew so special? Just look at those rich colors! You can almost smell the savory depth just by glancing at the picture. This stew is truly amazing – utterly addictive and incredibly satisfying. Once you try this recipe, you’ll understand why you won’t need another beef stew recipe again.
The secret ingredient to the intense flavor in this stew is beef demi-glace. If you’re not familiar, demi-glace is a rich, concentrated beef reduction that elevates the broth to a whole new level. You can usually find beef demi-glace online, making it easily accessible to enhance your cooking.
While traditional beef broth or stock is good, beef demi-glace provides an unmatched depth of flavor. However, if you can’t find demi-glace, don’t worry! A great substitute is Better than Bouillon in Beef. It provides a concentrated beef flavor that comes close to the richness of demi-glace, ensuring your stew is still packed with deliciousness.
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Style Beef Stew
This “Pioneer Woman” inspired beef stew recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create an incredibly hearty and flavorful meal. You likely have many of these staples in your pantry already!
Here’s what you’ll need to create this comforting beef stew:
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon seasoning salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups water
- 2 heaping teaspoons beef demi-glace or Better than Bouillon in Beef
- 4 medium to large red-skinned potatoes, washed and diced
- 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
Step-by-Step Guide to Delicious Beef Stew
Making this incredible beef stew is easier than you might think, especially with the help of a slow cooker! It starts with perfectly searing the beef to lock in the flavors before letting everything simmer together to tender perfection.
First, coat the beef stew meat in a mixture of flour and seasoning salt. This light coating helps to brown the beef beautifully and also slightly thickens the stew as it cooks. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the floured stew meat in batches until browned on all sides. Browning the beef adds a depth of flavor that’s crucial for a rich stew. Once browned, transfer the beef to the bottom of your slow cooker. Season with black pepper.
Next, add the diced onion to the same skillet you used for the beef. Sauté the onion for about 2 minutes, until softened. Don’t worry about cleaning the skillet between steps – those browned bits left from the beef add even more flavor to the stew! Transfer the sautéed onions to the slow cooker with the beef.
Now, it’s time to deglaze the skillet and build the flavorful broth. Pour the Worcestershire sauce, water, and beef demi-glace (or Better than Bouillon) into the hot skillet. Whisk everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This process of deglazing is key to capturing all that delicious flavor. Pour this flavorful broth mixture over the beef and onions in the slow cooker.
Finally, add the diced potatoes, carrots, celery, and bay leaves to the slow cooker. These vegetables will become wonderfully tender and infused with the rich beef broth as they cook. Stir everything gently to combine.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours. The low and slow cooking process is what transforms simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth stew. As it simmers, your house will be filled with the most amazing, comforting aromas. Seriously, you might want to lock your doors – the smell is so enticing, your neighbors might try to sneak in for a taste!
Before serving, remember to remove the bay leaves. Ladle generous portions of this hearty beef stew into bowls and get ready to enjoy the best comfort food imaginable.
Close-up shot of beef stew being ladled into a bowl, steam rising, showcasing the rich texture and vegetables.
Serving Suggestions: Complete Your Pioneer Meal
While this beef stew is incredibly satisfying on its own, you can elevate your meal even further with some classic pairings. For a truly comforting and complete “Pioneer Woman” style meal, serve this stew with some homemade biscuits or crusty bread. Imagine soaking up that rich gravy with a warm, buttery biscuit – pure perfection!
Consider serving it alongside:
- Homemade buttermilk biscuits
- Crusty sourdough bread
- Fluffy dinner rolls
- A simple side salad for a touch of freshness
Tips for Storing and Reheating
If you happen to have any leftover beef stew (though it’s so good, leftovers might be rare!), storing it properly will ensure it’s just as delicious the next day. Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For the best reheating results, gently reheat the stew on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through. Stovetop reheating helps maintain the stew’s texture and flavor.
This beef stew also freezes beautifully. To freeze, let the stew cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw the stew overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as directed above.
Get ready to experience the ultimate comfort food with this “Pioneer Woman” inspired beef stew recipe. It’s hearty, flavorful, and guaranteed to warm you from the inside out!
