Friendly Oven Stew

Cozy up with a hearty helping of **Friendly Oven Stew**, the ultimate comfort food for a chilly evening. This oven-braised dish features tender, slow-cooked beef, perfectly complemented by a medley of soft potatoes, sweet carrots, and aromatic celery. Enhanced with a rich tomato paste, savory beef broth, and a fragrant blend of dried thyme and rosemary, this recipe is all about layering flavor at every step. What makes this stew irresistible is its hands-off cooking method—simply sear the beef, sauté the veggies, and let your oven work its magic. Ready in just over three hours, this make-ahead-friendly dinner serves six and pairs beautifully with crusty bread to soak up every last spoonful. Whether you're feeding a family or meal-prepping for the week, this classic oven stew promises warmth, comfort, and satisfaction all in one bowl.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:200 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef stew meat
• 4 medium potatoes
• 3 large carrots
• 1 large yellow onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 3 celery stalks
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp parsley (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).

Step 2

Cut the beef stew meat into bite-sized cubes if not pre-cut. Pat it dry with paper towels to help with browning.

Step 3

Season the beef cubes with half of the salt and black pepper.

Step 4

Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches, ensuring the pieces are browned on all sides. Remove the meat and set aside.

Step 5

Peel and chop the potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Peel and slice the carrots into thick rounds. Dice the onion and celery. Mince the garlic.

Step 6

In the same pot, lower the heat to medium and sauté the onion, celery, and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 7

Add the tomato paste to the vegetables and stir to coat, cooking for another 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.

Step 8

Sprinkle the flour over the vegetable mixture and stir well to combine. This will help thicken the stew.

Step 9

Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits (this adds great flavor).

Step 10

Return the seared beef to the pot along with the potatoes, carrots, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, and the remaining salt and pepper.

Step 11

Bring the mixture to a simmer on the stovetop, then cover the pot with a lid.

Step 12

Transfer the covered pot to the preheated oven and cook for 2.5 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are soft.

Step 13

Remove the stew from the oven and discard the bay leaves.

Step 14

Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy with crusty bread for a complete meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3250.9 grams (3250.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3607

Total Fat 168.70g	216%
Saturated Fat 60.50g	303%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.00g
Cholesterol 817mg	272%
Sodium 6939mg	302%
Total Carbohydrate 231.70g	84%
Dietary Fiber 31.60g	113%
Total Sugars 32.40g
Protein 275.30g	551%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 568mg	44%
Iron 38mg	212%
Potassium 9344mg	199%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.8%

Protein: 31.1%

Carbs: 26.1%