As a kid, we ate a lot of beef stew. In fact, this Hearty Beef Stew recipe was our standard Sunday dinner. Everything would go into the Dutch oven and then into the oven before we went to church and when we got home 3 hours later, it would be ready. We ate it with whole wheat bread and butter and it felt warm and homey. I’ve changed the old standard a little–added some (a lot of) garlic, substituted V8 for tomato juice and beef bouillon instead of just salt. But really, it’s all the same: something easy, nourishing, and delicious that just about everybody loves.
Ingredients Needed
This is just a preview of ingredients and method, keep scrolling for full printable recipe.
- Baby potatoes
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- Fresh garlic
- Vegetable juice cocktail – Like V8 or Bloody Mary Mix.
- Condensed tomato soup
- Water
- Basil
- Beef bouillon cubes or beef base
- Black pepper
- Beef stew meat
- Bay leaf – Optional, but adds a great depth of flavor.
- Stew Meat – You’ll also need some lean stew meat. You may need to cut some of the pieces into something a little more bite-sized.
How to Make Hearty Beef Stew
- Cut the veggies–I usually make the potatoes on the large side of bite-sized, the carrots and celery on the small side of bite-sized, and then the onions chopped pretty small because I don’t like them in chunks. But you can do it however you like! Combine all the ingredients in a large Dutch oven or other heavy oven-safe dish with a tight-fitting lid.
- Pop that in the preheated oven for 3 hours, and that’s it!
Storing and Other Tips
- Store cooled stew in and airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3-4 days for best results.
- Stew freezes well! Feel free to freeze individual portions for an easy meal on busy days.
- Crock Pot Instructions: Follow the instructions as written, but reduce the water and V-8 by about half. Combine everything in your crock pot. Cook 6-8 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Soups and stews are often even better when reheated and usually freeze really well. You can prepare the stew and reheat as needed, or freeze individual portions in silicone muffin tins or Souper Cubes for an easy lunch or dinner.
Sure! Potatoes, carrots, onions, and celery are standard stew fare, but feel free to add whatever additional vegetables you like. Mushrooms are a great addition. If adding frozen peas, I recommend adding them at the end of cooking to heat through or they can get mushy.
Sure. Lamb works well in this recipe. I imagine it would be great with wild game like elk or venison as well.
Hearty Beef Stew
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound baby potatoes cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4-5 carrots, medium peeled and chopped
- 4 stalks celery chopped
- 1 onion, large, chopped or 2 small, chopped
- 5-6 cloves garlic minced
- 3 cups vegetable juice cocktail like V8 or Bloody Mary Mix
- 1 10-ounce can condensed tomato soup
- 10 ounces water just use empty soup can to measure
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 2 beef bouillon cubes or 2 teaspoons beef base
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2-3 pounds beef stew meat, lean cut into smaller cubes if necessary
- bay leaf optional, but adds great flavor
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300℉. Combine all the ingredients in a large Dutch oven or other heavy oven-safe dish with a tight-fitting lid. Lay a bay leaf on top (if using), cover, with lid, and cook for 3 hours.
Notes
- I haven’t had great luck making this in the slow cooker or the pressure cooker–the recipe seems to rely on a little evaporation and when I’ve made it using these methods, the stew ends up a little soupy/watery. If you’d like to try it either of these ways, I would recommend reducing the water and possibly the V-8. This has not been tested, so just know you’ll be in uncharted territory!
- Store cooled stew in and airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3-4 days for best results.
- Stew freezes well! Feel free to freeze individual portions for an easy meal on busy days.
Questions & Reviews
I know this recipe was posted a while ago, so I hope you get this comment cause I have a question 🙂 Have you ever frozen the leftovers for this? It's just my husband and my two small kids at home, and so I've been thinking I'll either half it or freeze it (if it freezes well). If you could let me know I'd appreciate it!! LOOKS YUMMY! I can't wait for you cookbook to come out. I've already pre-ordered!
OHG! Henry, Jessie, Violet, Benny and who could forget Watch, the watch dog they found injured! I LOVED that series. I was in love with Henry and wanted to marry him when I grew up! I liked how they all loved each other!
The next time I make stew I will be thinking about The Boxcar Children. Might even make a trip to the library!
I made this last night along with your honey butter over my whole wheat bread and it was amazing. My husband is a hunter so I try to find recipes that the elk will be good in. And this one is super great. My house smelled so good and I was hoping I would not be disappointed. I wasn't.
I LOVED Boxcar Children, I'm pretty sure I owned all of them at one time. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Makes me wanna go back and read them again.
That stew honestly reminds me that time time of my life, my Dad would make beef stew all of the time, I loved it, and I'm pretty certain I'll love this one too. Can't wait to try it.
Would this fit in my 5-qt slow-cooker? I have trouble with mine sometimes not being as large as some recipes call for, and this looks like a lot of volume. Should I stir it at all? Looks delicious!
That's going on the menu for next week. Sounds absolutely perfect for Fall (and winter.. and spring..)
Thanks for the wonderful site.
How did I get thru my childhood w/out reading these books?!?!!? I will be buying them for my kids asap! Thx! And the stew looks delicious! I'm making it this week as well! I'm fairly new to your blog but I wanted to let you know that we've tried several of your recipes & have enjoyed them a great deal!
The Boxcar Children is one of the reasons I am now a chef. Every once in a while, something will remind me of that book. It's wonderful to know it inspired others too! Thanks for the memories.
i am making this tomorrow morning. can't wait. i will let you know how it goes.
Positively SCRUMPTIOUS creation!