How to Cook Stewing Beef — Two Recipes

Name of Cut: Stewing Beef
Cut Details: Cubes of beef, 1–2 inches in size. 1 lb per package. Typically cut from tougher, flavourful sections like chuck or round.
Best For: Slow, moist cooking — ideal for stews, soups, and braises that tenderize the meat and enhance rich flavours.

🍳 Quick & Easy — One-Pot Weeknight Beef Stew

Serves: 2–3
Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 1.5 hrs

Ingredients:

• 1 lb stewing beef

• Salt and pepper

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 1 carrot, chopped

• 1 potato, cubed

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• ½ tsp dried thyme or rosemary

• 2 cups beef broth

Instructions:

1. Season beef with salt and pepper. Brown in oil in a heavy-bottomed pot. Remove and set aside.

2. Sauté onion, garlic, and tomato paste until fragrant.

3. Return beef to the pot. Add broth, herbs, carrot, and potato.

4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 hrs or until beef is tender.

5. Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve warm.

🍷 Slow & Savoury — Mini Beef Bourguignon (Small-Batch)

Serves: 2
Prep Time: 30 min | Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients:

• 1 lb stewing beef

• Salt and pepper

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 2 strips bacon, chopped

• ½ onion, chopped

• 1 carrot, chopped

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 cup red wine

• 1 cup beef broth

• 1 bay leaf

• ½ tsp thyme

• ½ cup mushrooms, sliced (added in last 30 min)

Instructions:

1. Season and brown beef in olive oil. Remove and set aside.

2. Cook bacon until just crisp. Add onion, carrot, garlic.

3. Stir in tomato paste. Deglaze with wine and simmer 5 min.

4. Add broth, herbs, and beef. Cover and braise at 300°F for 2.5–3 hrs.

5. Add mushrooms for the final 30 min of cooking.

6. Serve with mashed potatoes, noodles, or crusty bread.

🐄 Grass-fed Tip: Grass-fed stewing beef benefits from slow cooking at low heat. Keep it gentle and give it time — the result is fork-tender, flavour-packed beef.