Smoky Beef Stew Recipe

Introduction

This smoky beef stew is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for chilly days. Tender chunks of stewing beef are slow-cooked with rich spices and tomatoes, creating deep flavors that satisfy any craving. It’s easy to prepare and versatile for serving.

Ingredients

• 1kg stewing beef, cut into large chunks
• 2 onions, chopped
• 800g (2 cans) chopped tomatoes
• 2 tsp sweet paprika
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp mild chilli powder
• 2 tbsp red or white wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp caster sugar
• 400g can butter beans, rinsed and drained

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 160°C (140°C fan) or gas mark 3. In a large casserole dish, combine the stewing beef, chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, sweet paprika, ground cumin, mild chilli powder, vinegar, and caster sugar. Stir well to coat all the ingredients evenly.
2. Step 2: Cover the casserole dish with a lid and bake in the oven for 2½ hours, allowing the beef to become tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.
3. Step 3: Remove the lid and stir in the butter beans. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes. If the stew seems too wet, keep the lid off; if it looks just right, keep the lid on during this final cooking time.
4. Step 4: Once the beef is tender and the stew has thickened to your liking, remove it from the oven. Let cool before serving or storing.

Tips & Variations

• Serve this stew in soft tortillas with lettuce and soured cream for a quick wrap.
• Top with crumbled feta or grated cheddar and enjoy with wholemeal pitta or rice for a filling meal.
• Add leftover cooked potatoes along with peas or sweetcorn to transform it into a hearty one-pot lunch.

Storage

Cool the stew completely before portioning it into 6 to 8 small food bags or plastic containers. Freeze for easy meal prep. When ready to eat, defrost overnight in the fridge or use a microwave defrost setting. Reheat thoroughly either in the microwave or on the stovetop. For packed lunches, heat in the morning and transfer to a thermos to keep it warm until mealtime.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of beans instead of butter beans?

Yes, cannellini or kidney beans work well as substitutes and offer a similar creamy texture in the stew.

Is it possible to prepare this recipe on the stovetop instead of baking?

Absolutely. Cook the beef and onions in a heavy pot until browned, then add the remaining ingredients. Simmer gently for about 3 hours until tender, stirring occasionally.

Smoky Beef Stew Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 108 reviews

• Author: Luna
• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x

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Description

A hearty and flavorful smoky beef stew slow-baked to tender perfection, infused with warm spices and enriched with butter beans for a filling meal. This versatile dish can be enjoyed in various ways, including wrapped in tortillas, topped with cheese, or served with rice or bread.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef Stew

• 1kg stewing beef, cut into large chunks
• 2 onions, chopped
• 800g chopped tomatoes (2 cans)
• 2 tsp sweet paprika
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp mild chilli powder
• 2 tbsp red or white wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp caster sugar
• 400g can butter beans, rinsed and drained

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Combine Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 160°C (140°C fan)/gas mark 3. In a large casserole dish, mix the stewing beef chunks, chopped onions, canned chopped tomatoes, sweet paprika, ground cumin, mild chilli powder, red or white wine vinegar, and caster sugar thoroughly.
2. Bake Stew Covered: Cover the casserole dish with a lid and bake the mixture in the preheated oven for 2½ hours. This slow baking will tenderize the beef and allow the flavors to meld together.
3. Add Butter Beans and Continue Baking: After 2½ hours, stir in the rinsed and drained butter beans. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes if the stew is a little wet, or keep it covered if it has reached a good consistency. Continue until the beef is tender and the stew is thickened to your liking.
4. Cool and Store: Once cooked, allow the stew to cool completely. Portion it into 6-8 servings using small food bags or plastic containers for freezing.
5. Reheat and Serve: Defrost portions in the microwave or overnight in the fridge. Reheat thoroughly in the microwave or on the stove in the morning, then transfer to a thermos container to keep it warm for lunch, or reheat at lunchtime as preferred.

Notes

• Serve wrapped in soft tortillas with lettuce and soured cream for a delightful wrap.
• Alternatively, top with crumbled feta or grated cheddar and enjoy with wholemeal pitta or rice.
• For a hearty one-pot lunch, mix in leftover cooked potatoes and add peas or sweetcorn.
• Adjust the chilli powder to your preferred spice level for a milder or spicier stew.
• This stew freezes well and can be a great make-ahead meal option.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Keywords: smoky beef stew, baked beef stew, slow baked stew, hearty beef recipe, butter bean stew