Description
Hearty beef & vegetable stew delivers French onion magic in every spoonful, blending rich beef, caramelized onions, and tender vegetables. Comfort meets culinary elegance when you savor this soul-warming dish that promises a delightful journey through classic French countryside cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) beef, chuck or stew meat, cut into cubes
Vegetables:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
- 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 zucchini, chopped
Liquid and Seasoning:
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) soy sauce
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sear beef chunks in hot oil over medium-high heat until golden brown and caramelized, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
- Incorporate finely diced onions and crushed garlic, sautéing until aromatics release their fragrant essence and become translucent.
- Gently fold in rough-cut carrots, cubed potatoes, and sliced zucchini, ensuring even distribution throughout the pot.
- Create a flavor base by streaming beef broth and introducing a splash of umami-rich soy sauce, then season with cracked black pepper and kosher salt.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the stew to gently simmer for 35-40 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and tenderize.
- Periodically stir and check liquid levels, adding additional broth if mixture appears too thick or begins to stick.
- Confirm beef’s doneness by testing tenderness and ensuring vegetables are soft yet maintain slight resistance when pierced with a fork.
- Ladle steaming stew into deep serving bowls, capturing a harmonious blend of meat and vegetables in each portion.
Notes
- Enhance the beef’s flavor by using high-quality cuts like chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for tender, rich results.
- Save time by browning beef in batches to prevent overcrowding, which can steam meat instead of creating a golden crust.
- Swap out beef for plant-based protein like jackfruit or tofu to make this stew vegetarian-friendly and lower in calories.
- Boost umami depth by adding a splash of red wine or Worcestershire sauce during the cooking process for more complex French onion-inspired flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 275 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg