Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe (Classic Stovetop) + Video

Nana’s Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe is loaded with tender beef, soft potatoes, sweet carrots, and a thick, savory gravy that tastes like it’s been simmering all day. This is classic stovetop stew: simple ingredients, big flavor, and that unmistakable homemade depth you only get from recipes passed down and cooked with love. Rich, hearty, and deeply comforting.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS BEEF STEW RECIPE FOR STOVE TOP

• True old-fashioned, no-fuss comfort food
  
• Easy one pot recipe, ready in just under an hour
  
• Tender beef and veggies in a thick, gravy-style broth (not soupy)
  
• Hearty on its own, but great with sides too
  
• Tastes even better the next day

Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe

This is the stew. The one you remember. The kind that fogs up the windows, makes the house smell amazing, and magically quiets everyone at the table.

Nothing takes me back to childhood faster than my mom’s recipes, and they were some of the first I started making once I was out on my own.

From creamy mashed potatoes to cheesy eggplant parmesan, each one is so nostalgic and comforting. But this easy beef stew recipe on the stove top? It somehow tastes exactly the same as when I was little… warm, rich, familiar, and grounding in the best way.

Nothing fancy here. No tricks. Just flour-dredged beef, vegetables that soak up all that gravy, and a pot that quietly does its thing.

This is the stew you make when you want people to feel taken care of. And honestly? That never goes out of style.

INGREDIENT NOTES

• Beef Chuck: The gold standard for any old fashioned beef stew recipe! Marbled, flavorful, and oh so tender after simmering.
  
• Seasoned Flour: Coating the beef thickens the stew and builds flavor as it browns.
  
• Tomato Sauce: Adds body and subtle acidity without making it tomato-forward. Tomato paste + a little water or broth works in a pinch.
  
• Red Potatoes: Hold their shape and don’t fall apart during simmering. Yukon Gold are a good alternative.
   
• Beef Broth: When making this beef stew recipe on the stove, start with 4 cups and add more if needed. It should fully cover the beef in the pot.
  
• Gravy Master: A seasoning and browning sauce that deepens color and adds savory richness.
  
  It’s not gravy mix… just a concentrated flavor booster used sparingly for that classic, dark stew look and taste.

VARIATIONS

Garlic Lovers: Add a clove or two of minced garlic with the tomato sauce.

No Gravy Master: Skip it if needed. The stew will still be delicious, just lighter in color

Extra Veggies: Sauté chopped onions and celery in a little extra oil before combining everything. Mushrooms are good too!

Herb Touch: Add a bay leaf while simmering (remove before serving).

Slow Simmer: Let it gently cook an extra 10–15 minutes for ultra-tender beef.

Deeper Flavor: Deglaze the pot with a splash of red wine after searing the beef, or replace some of the broth with dark ale.

Gluten-Free Option: Coat the meat in cornstarch or rice flour instead.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

• Add a loaf of crusty bread or buttery dinner rolls.
  
• Serve with a fresh green salad or garlic-roasted vegetables.
  
• Make it extra thick and serve over rice, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes.
  
• Pair this beef stew recipe with stove top creamed spinach.
  
• Finish the meal with a rustic peach cobbler or a thick slice of buttermilk bundt cake.

BEEF STEW MEAT RECIPES FAQ

So many beef stew meat recipes miss out on the most important step: browning! This one works because it’s built the way stews were meant to be built… slow flavor, layered from the start.

Dredging the beef in seasoned flour before browning does two things: it helps create a deep, savory crust on the meat, and it thickens the stew naturally as it simmers.

Browning in batches prevents steaming, which is key for flavor development.

Tomato sauce adds subtle acidity that helps balance the richness, while Gravy Master deepens color and savory notes without overpowering anything.

And beef chuck? That cut is full of connective tissue that breaks down during simmering, turning tough cubes into tender, spoon-soft bites.

This beef stew recipe for the stove top isn’t just full of nostalgia. It’s kitchen science working exactly as it should.

TOOLS NEEDED

• Large Heavy-Bottomed Pot: Even heat = better browning and simmering.
  
• Resealable Gallon Bag: Easy, mess-free flour coating.
  
• Tongs or Slotted Spoon: For browning beef in batches.
  
• Wooden Spoon: For stirring without scraping the pot.
  
• Ladle: Because this stew deserves it.

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Originally published September 2012, updated and republished December 2025

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