Grandma’s Old Fashioned Beef Stew

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Grandma’s old fashioned beef stew is the perfect comfort food for cold days. This hearty meal is packed with tender chunks of beef, veggies, and a rich broth. You’ll love how easy it is to make this classic dish in just a few simple steps.

Get ready to fill your home with the yummy smell of slow-cooked beef and herbs. This recipe makes enough to feed 8 people, so it’s great for family dinners or when you want leftovers. The best part? You can make it all in one pot, which means less cleanup for you!

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make Grandma’s Old Fashioned Beef Stew:

• 2 pounds beef stew meat (cubed chuck roast)
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 pounds red potatoes, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 10 ounces pearl onions
• 4 medium carrots, sliced
• 4 medium celery ribs, sliced

You’ll also need these spices and 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
• 1/4 cup cold water (for thickening at the end)

Make sure you have all these ingredients ready before you start cooking. This recipe serves 8, so it’s perfect for family dinners or when you have guests over.

Instructions

Start by coating the beef in cornstarch, salt, and pepper. This helps the meat brown nicely.

Heat oil in a large pot. Add the seasoned beef and cook until brown on all sides. Stir often to avoid sticking.

Next, add garlic and tomato paste. Cook for a minute or two until you smell the garlic.

Pour in the broth and Worcestershire sauce. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. These add great flavor!

Now add all the veggies and spices. Give everything a good stir to mix it up.

Bring the stew to a boil, then turn the heat down low. Cover and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours. Stir it now and then. The beef should be nice and tender when it’s done.

For a thicker stew, mix cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Slowly pour this into the pot while stirring. Let it cook a few more minutes to thicken up.

Taste your stew and add more salt or pepper if needed. Serve it up hot and enjoy your homemade beef stew!

Possible Substitutes List

Can’t find all the ingredients for Grandma’s Old Fashioned Beef Stew? No worries! Here are some easy swaps you can use:

• Beef: Try lamb or pork shoulder for a different flavor.
• Red potatoes: Yukon gold or russet potatoes work great too.
• Pearl onions: Regular diced onions are a good substitute.
• Carrots: Parsnips or turnips can add a nice twist.
• Celery: Try using fennel for a unique taste.

For the seasonings:

• Dried herbs: Fresh herbs (use 3x the amount)
• Paprika: Smoked paprika or chili powder
• Allspice: Cinnamon or nutmeg (use half the amount)

Don’t have beef broth? You can use:

• Chicken broth
• Vegetable broth
• Water + beef bouillon cubes

No Worcestershire sauce? Try:

• Soy sauce + a splash of vinegar
• Fish sauce
• Balsamic vinegar

Remember, cooking is all about being creative. These swaps will change the flavor a bit, but your stew will still be yummy!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

To make this beef stew more diabetes-friendly, you can make a few simple changes. Start by using lean beef to reduce fat content. Cut the amount of potatoes in half and add more non-starchy veggies like zucchini or bell peppers.

Replace the cornstarch with a lower-carb thickener like xanthan gum. Use just 1/4 teaspoon mixed with water to thicken the stew. Skip the added sugar entirely – the veggies will provide natural sweetness.

Try these swaps to lower the carb count:

• Use turnips or radishes instead of potatoes
• Swap pearl onions for sliced regular onions
• Replace some of the beef broth with water

Cook the stew as directed, but simmer for a bit longer to let flavors develop without the starch. The result will be just as tasty and comforting, but with fewer carbs per serving.

Serve smaller portions alongside a crisp green salad for a balanced meal. You can also freeze individual portions for quick, diabetes-friendly meals later on.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For the best flavor, choose chuck roast for your beef stew. It’s a budget-friendly cut that becomes tender and tasty when cooked slowly. Cut the meat into 1-inch cubes for even cooking.

Brown the meat in small batches. This helps create a rich flavor and keeps the meat from steaming. Don’t rush this step – it’s key for a tasty stew!

Keep these veggies on hand for your stew:

• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Celery
• Pearl onions

You can swap in other root veggies like parsnips or turnips too.

To thicken your stew, mix cornstarch with cold water before adding it. This prevents clumps from forming. Stir it in slowly at the end of cooking.

Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last 3-4 days. The flavors often get even better the next day!

To freeze, let the stew cool completely. Put it in freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheat stew gently on the stove or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth if it’s too thick.