Recipe Review - Homemade Southern Beef Stew

Deep South Dish

Another fantastic recipe from Mary at Deep South Dish! Fork-tender meat, fresh cooked veggies, wonderful blend of spices, and the creamy texture make this recipe a keeper.



Here's what you'll need:
Chuck Roast (or stew meat), Carrots, Sweet Onion, Potatoes, &...

...Beef Broth, Kosher Salt, Shortening (or oil or bacon grease), Fresh Cracked Black Pepper, Garlic, Flour, Beef Bouillon (optional), Celery Seed, Bay Leaves, Sweet Basil, Dried Rosemary (crushed), Paprika, Ground Thyme, Corn Starch, & Rice (optional).

Start by combining flour, salt, and pepper in shallow dish.

Add cubed meat to flour mixture (in batches) and coat thoroughly.

Add shortening (or oil, or bacon grease) to dutch oven and heat over medium to medium high heat.

Place dredged meat in heated pan and allow room between each piece. Brown on each side, and then remove to a plate while browning remaining batches.

Slice onions. 

Once all meat has been browned and removed from pan, cook onions in oil leftover from browning meat and saute until somewhat caramelized.

Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add small amount of beef broth to the onions to deglaze the pan. (not pictured)


Add browned meat back to pan along with remaining beef broth.

 

Also add beef bouillon to hot water and stir until dissolved, and then add to stew pot and bring to a boil.

Add in all seasonings, except bay leaves, and reduce heat to a medium simmer.

Add in bay leaves and simmer uncovered for 2 hours, and then skim off any excess fat on surface.

Add in carrots and potatoes.

Bring back to a boil, reduce heat and simmer. Adjust spices to taste. (not pictured)



Add cornstarch to milk and whisk thoroughly.

Add some of the stew liquid to the cornstarch mixture and whisk together.

Add to stew and stir thoroughly.

Cook for approximately 10 minutes or until veggies are tender. Serve with cooked rice, if desired.

 Tasty!


My changes to Mary's recipe:
1) used Premium Stew Meat instead of Chuck
2) used bouillon cubes dissolved in water rather than Better than Bouillon beef base
3) omitted Cajun seasoning
4) doubled all other seasonings, except bay leaves (used 2)
5) used red potatoes instead of russet potatoes


Please check out all the other great recipes on Mary's site while you're there!

RECIPE: Homemade Southern Beef Stew