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Cozy One-Pot Football Sunday Beef Stew (Kid-Approved)

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A rich, hearty beef stew that even picky eaters will love. Made in one pot with tender beef, vegetables, and a savory broth, it’s the ultimate comfort food for game day or a cozy family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for a slightly thicker stew; use gluten-free flour if needed)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1.5 cups)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks (about 1.5 cups)
  • 3 celery stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
  • 1.5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks (about 4–5 medium potatoes)
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted adds a nice depth)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Beef (5 minutes): Pat the beef cubes completely dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss the beef with the salt, pepper, and flour (if using) until evenly coated. Set aside while you prep your veggies.
  2. Sear the Beef (15 minutes): Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in your Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Working in two batches to avoid crowding the pot, add half the beef cubes in a single layer. Let them sear without moving for 3-4 minutes, until a deep brown crust forms. Use your tongs to flip them and sear on all sides, about 2-3 more minutes. Transfer the seared beef to a clean plate and repeat with the remaining tablespoon of oil and the rest of the beef.
  3. Sauté the Aromatics (5 minutes): Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the pot. Sauté, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot with your wooden spoon, for 4-5 minutes, until the onion is softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Build the Flavor Base (3 minutes): Add the tomato paste to the pot and stir it into the onions. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  5. Deglaze and Combine (5 minutes): Pour in about 1/2 cup of the beef broth and use your wooden spoon to scrape up every last bit of the fond from the bottom of the pot. Add the remaining broth, the undrained diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary. Stir to combine. Return the seared beef and any accumulated juices on the plate to the pot.
  6. Simmer (1.5 hours): Bring the stew to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 1 hour.
  7. Add the Vegetables (1 hour): After 1 hour, add the carrots, celery, and potatoes to the pot. Stir them in, making sure they are submerged in the liquid. Re-cover the pot and continue to simmer for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are cooked through but not mushy.
  8. Finish and Serve (5 minutes): Once the beef and vegetables are tender, remove the bay leaves and discard them. Stir in the frozen peas and cook for just 2-3 minutes, until they are heated through and bright green. Taste the stew and adjust the salt and pepper to your liking. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot with crusty bread for dipping.

Notes

For a thicker stew without flour, mash a few of the cooked potatoes against the side of the pot at the end. If the stew is too thin, make a slurry with 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water, stir in, and cook for 2-3 minutes. For a gluten-free version, omit the flour or use a gluten-free all-purpose blend. Leftovers taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stew, one-pot, game day, comfort food, kid-friendly, easy dinner, fall recipe, winter recipe

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/cozy-one-pot-football-sunday-beef-stew-kid-approved/