Smoky Beef Stew Recipe
Introduction
This smoky beef stew is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for cozy dinners. Tender chunks of stewing beef slow-cooked with spices, tomatoes, and butter beans make a hearty meal that’s easy to prepare ahead.
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
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 160°C (140°C fan) or gas mark 3. In a casserole dish, combine the beef, chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, sweet paprika, ground cumin, mild chilli powder, vinegar, and caster sugar. Stir well to mix all the ingredients evenly.
- Step 2: Cover the casserole dish with a lid or foil and bake in the oven for 2½ hours. After this, stir in the rinsed and drained butter beans. Bake for another 30 minutes. If the stew appears too wet, bake with the lid off to thicken it; if the consistency is good, keep the lid on to retain moisture. The beef should be tender when done.
Tips & Variations
- Serve the stew wrapped in soft tortillas with lettuce and soured cream for a casual meal.
- Top the stew with crumbled feta or grated cheddar and enjoy it with wholemeal pitta or rice.
- Add leftover cooked potatoes with peas or sweetcorn to turn it into a one-pot lunch.
Storage
Allow the stew to cool completely before freezing in 6 to 8 portions using small food bags or plastic containers. Defrost overnight in the fridge or use a microwave. Reheat thoroughly in the microwave or on the stove before serving. For on-the-go meals, heat in the morning and transfer to a thermos container to keep warm until lunchtime.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of beans instead of butter beans?
Yes, you can substitute butter beans with cannellini beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas depending on your preference and availability.
Is it possible to make this stew on the stovetop instead of the oven?
Absolutely. Brown the beef and onions in a heavy pot, then add the remaining ingredients and simmer gently on low heat, covered, for about 3 hours until the beef is tender.
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Smoky Beef Stew Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
A hearty and flavorful smoky beef stew slow-baked with aromatic spices, tender butter beans, and rich tomatoes. This comforting dish is perfect for a cozy meal and can be served in multiple ways including wraps, with pitta or rice, or turned into a one-pot lunch with added vegetables and potatoes.
Ingredients
Main 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
- Prepare and mix ingredients: In a casserole dish, combine the stewing beef chunks, chopped onions, canned chopped tomatoes, sweet paprika, ground cumin, mild chilli powder, red or white wine vinegar, and caster sugar. Stir well to coat the beef evenly in the spices and tomatoes.
- Bake the stew: Preheat your oven to 160°C (140°C fan)/gas mark 3. Cover the casserole dish with a lid and bake in the oven for 2½ hours, allowing the beef to slow cook and become tender while the flavors meld together.
- Add butter beans: Remove the lid, stir in the rinsed and drained butter beans, then continue to bake the stew for another 30 minutes. If the stew appears too wet, leave the lid off to reduce the liquid; if it has a good consistency, keep the lid on to retain moisture.
- Serve or store: Once the beef is tender and the stew is rich and thickened, remove from the oven. Let it cool before freezing into 6-8 portions in small food bags or plastic containers. To serve, reheat in the microwave or stove, and enjoy with your preferred accompaniment.
Notes
- Serve the stew wrapped in soft tortillas with lettuce and soured cream.
- Top with crumbled feta or grated cheddar and accompany with wholemeal pitta or rice for a complete meal.
- Add leftover cooked potatoes and peas or sweetcorn to transform the stew into a hearty one-pot lunch.
- The stew freezes well and can be reheated in the microwave or stove and transported in a thermos for a warm meal on the go.
- Adjust chili powder according to your preferred spice level.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Stew
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: smoky beef stew, slow baked beef stew, hearty beef stew, butter bean stew, comforting beef casserole
