Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beef tri-tip or chuck roast | 2 lb | Cut into 1½-inch chunks |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp | For searing |
| Yellow onion | 1 | Diced |
| Garlic | 4 cloves | Minced |
| Celery | 2 stalks | Sliced |
| Carrots | 3 | Sliced |
| Baby bella mushrooms | 8 oz | Quartered; optional |
| All-purpose flour | 3 tbsp | To thicken |
| Dry red wine | 1 cup | Cabernet or zinfandel; sub more broth if omitting |
| Beef broth | 4 cups | Bone broth recommended |
| Tomato sauce | 1 cup | |
| Worcestershire sauce | 2 tbsp | |
| Smoked paprika | 1 tsp | |
| Italian herbs | 1 tsp | |
| Baby potatoes | 1 lb | Halved |
| Peas | 1 cup | Fresh or frozen |
| Salt and pepper | To taste |
Cooking Principles
- Sear first: Don’t rush browning the meat — it builds deep flavor in the finished stew.
- Low and slow: The longer the stew simmers, the more tender the beef becomes.
- Thicken with flour: Coating the browned mushrooms in flour before adding liquid gives the stew its hearty texture.
Crusty Bread
Perfect for soaking up the rich broth.
Mashed Potatoes
Serve over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes for extra comfort.
Simple Green Salad
Balance the hearty stew with a light side salad.
Seared
Beef
Slow-Cooked
20 min
Prep Time
2 hr
Cook Time
6 servings
Yield
Cooking Steps
- Sear the beef: Season beef chunks with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over high heat and sear on all sides until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same pot, cook the onion, garlic, celery, and carrots until softened. Add the mushrooms and cook until browned, then stir in the flour and cook 1 minute more.
- Combine and simmer: Return the beef to the pot. Add the red wine, beef broth, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and Italian herbs. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 1 to 1½ hours.
- Add potatoes: Stir in the baby potatoes and continue to simmer until the beef and potatoes are tender, about 30–45 minutes more.
- Finish: Stir in the peas and cook a few more minutes until heated through. Season to taste and serve.
Tips & Notes
- Red wine adds deep flavor, but you can substitute more beef broth if you’d rather cook without it. A dry red, such as cabernet or zinfandel, works best.
- Bone beef broth makes the stew extra hearty — use it if you can find it.
- Baby bella mushrooms are optional but add great texture and flavor.