Beef Stew in Half the Time! Served with Rice

Beef Stew in Half the Time Served with Rice!  This beef stew is the one meal you can count on that is always filling and satisfying, and when you serve it with rice or mashed potatoes to soak up that savory gravy, it’s become classic comfort food at its BEST!

What is Beef Stew?

Tender chunks of beef are quickly browned on stove-top, then simmered with red wine, beef broth, carrots, celery, onions, and sometimes with some fingerling potatoes added. We like to serve it over a bed of steamed rice, and at times with creamy mashed potatoes. (it’s the best!)

Beef stew is an outstanding dish and it makes this a perfect one-dish meal!

This recipe will make a large pot of beef stew to feed a large family and extra for lunch the next day.

What’s even better? This meal will cost about $12.00 dollars for a family of four.

A white dinner plate with cooked rice and beef, carrots and potatoes on top.
 
 

What Makes our Beef Stew in Half the Time?

Keep in mind, that our mothers and grandmothers made beef stew. And, it would take them hours to cook and simmer the stew just to get the meat softened and tenderized enough to eat it. So here are the reasons for our stew to take less time:

  • Always buy the best quality of beef!ย  When shoppingย for beef chunks, we recommend buying the best quality of beef, making sure the package says “Beef for Stew!”
  • This is the main reason for cutting the time in half when cooking, but it will give you the most tender bite and not turn out tough and chewy.
  • Keep in mind, you pay a few pennies more, but it’s worth it.ย  Less quality in the meat = more cooking time required.
A white plate with cooked rice under a beef stew with carrots and potatoes.

 

No need to spend hours cooking in the kitchen.  This recipe for beef stew is easily made on stove-top and in one pot! 

Cook’s Notes and Tips for Success…

  • First, before you start, take out the package of “beef for stew” from the refrigerator, and set it down on your counter, allowing the meat to warm up to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before starting.
  • You can steam some rice while you are making the stew.ย  And keep it covered, so it will be ready for you when serving.
  • Red wine is the secret ingredient, as it lends to a savory and delicious gravy.ย  It’s fabulous!ย  So don’t leave it out!
  • Vegetables are great in beef stew.ย  You may even add in a few mini potatoes to this recipe, but we recommend you add them in at the very least 15 minutes before it’s done.ย  Otherwise, you could end up with mushy potatoes in the stew.
  • Also, you can add in one Parmesan rind to make the gravy more flavorful and give it a creamier texture.

  • Serve beef stew over a bed of rice, and garnish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, at the table.

  • Beef Stew in Half the Time!ย Served with Rice by 2sistersrecipes.com

*Follow along with our Step-by-Step directions, or jump down to the bottom for our full recipe card!

Ingredients for Beef Stew in Half the Time!ย ย Served with Rice:

  • 1+ 1/2 pound beef chuck (for stew) cut into 2-inch or smaller pieces
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2ย cup red wine
  • 1 onion- peeled, chopped
  • 3 carrots – peeled, sliced
  • 3 celery stalks – sliced
  • Optional: 1 pound of fingerling potatoes – rinsed
  • 4 cups all-naturalย Beef Stock
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup freshly chopped parsley
  • 4 cups steamed long grain rice

Directions to Make Beef Stew… (Easy Step by Step!)

1.  In a large saucepot or Dutch oven, add olive oil, and butter.

2.  Next, open your package of beef chunks and if you need to, you can cut each piece of meat into half.  They usually come in large pieces, and I prefer to cut all the pieces into smaller pieces, this will cut the cooking time in half as well.  Then lightly season the meat with some salt and pepper and set aside.

3.  In a small dish, place the flour.  Dip each piece of meat into the flour and coat all sides.  No need to dust off excess flour.

Raw chunks of beef in a package, and a white plate with some flour for dusting the raw chunks.

4.   Turn on the heat under the pot, and moderate heat.  Drop each piece of flour-coated meat into the pot with melted butter and oil.

5.  Raise the heat to medium heat and sear the meat to brown on all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes.

A silver pot cooking the flour coated beef chunks. by 2sistersrecipes.com
 

6.  Pour in the red wine and simmer on low heat, for 2 to 4 minutes, and allow the wine to reduce a little. Using a wooden spoon, stir and scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen the flour as the wine begins to thicken.

7.  Finally,  add all the vegetables, seasonings, beef stock, freshly chopped parsley, and fresh rosemary.  Bring to a low boil.  Then lower the heat to simmer, uncovered, for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

A large soup pot with raw vegetables, beef broth pouring into it and fresh chopped herb.

8.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  If needed, you can add 1 or 2 teaspoons of cornstarch or flour to thicken the gravy.

QUICK NOTE: Finally, pull out a piece of meat to see if the meat is tender.ย  If tender, turn off the heat. ย Fish and remove the sprig of rosemary and discard.ย  Cover until ready to serve.

9.  Meanwhile, in a medium-sized pot, cook the rice, following the directions on the package.  When the rice is ready, spoon some rice into serving dishes, then create a well in the center of the rice and fill the center with a heaping scoop of beef stew and gravy.  Serve immediately.

Serves: 6

Can We Make Beef Stew in Our Slow Cooker?ย 

  • This recipe will definitely work with your slow cooker or crockpot as long as you brown the meat first and then add in all the rest of the ingredients.ย  Then turn on your slow-cooker and allow to slow cook for 4 to 6 hours.

Can We Freeze Beef Stew?

  • Yes, you can.ย  You can freeze for up to one month.ย  We sometimes make beef stew on a lazy Sunday and even double the recipe so we can either reheat some during the weeknight and freeze a batch.

Beef Stew is perfect served over a bed of rice or mashed potatoes to soak up that delicious savory gravy. 

This is such a delicious meal.  I bet your family will go bonkers over this beef stew.  And, when you’re cooking this stew, your entire house will smell like HEAVEN,  and that alone will bring everyone to the table, presto!

 ENJOY!!

More Tasty Stew Recipes! 

Yield: 6 servings

Beef Stew in Half the Time! Served with Rice

A white dinner plate with cooked rice and beef, carrots and potatoes on top.

Tender chunks of beef are quickly browned on stove-top, then simmered with red wine, beef broth, carrots, celery, onions, and sometimes with some fingerling potatoes added, and served over a bed of steamed rice, makes this a perfect one-dish meal.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1 pound or 1 + 1/2 pounds beef chuck (for stew) cut into 2-inch pieces or smaller
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1 onion- peeled, chopped
  • 3 carrots - peeled, sliced
  • 3 celery stalks - sliced
  • Optional: 1 pound of fingerling potatoes - rinsed
  • 4 cups all-natural Beef Stock
  • 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley, and extra

Ingredients for Rice:

  • 4 cups of water
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice, or basmati rice
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 Tbsp. butter

Instructions

  1. In a large saucepot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil, and butter.
  2. Open your package of beef chunks and cut each piece of meat into halves. They usually come in large pieces and you can cut each piece in half, this will cut the cooking time in half as well. Then lightly season the meat with some salt and pepper. Set aside.
  3. In a small dish, place the flour.
  4. Dip each piece of meat into the flour and coat all sides. No need to dust off excess flour.
  5. Drop each piece of flour-coated meat into the pot with melted butter and oil. Raise the heat to medium heat and cook the meat to brown all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  6. Pour in the red wine and simmer on low heat for 2 to 4 minutes, allowing the wine to reduce a little. With a wooden spoon, scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen the flour as the wine begins to thicken.
  7. Then add all the vegetables, seasonings, fresh rosemary, fresh chopped parsley, and beef stock. Raise the heat to medium-high.
  8. Bring to a low boil, then lower the heat to lowest, and simmer for about 35 to 45 minutes, uncovered. Stirring occasionally.
  9. Taste the gravy and season with salt and pepper to taste. If you desire, you may add 1 or 2 teaspoons of cornstarch or flour to thicken the gravy. Pull out 1 piece of meat and check to see if the meat is tender. If meat is tender, turn off the heat. Fish and remove the sprig of rosemary and discard. Cover with a lid, and leave it on the stove until ready to serve.
  10. Meantime, in a medium-size pot, make the rice, following the directions to the package.

Directions for RIce:

  1. In a medium-size pot, bring 4 cups of water to boil. Add rice, salt, and butter. Cover. Simmer on the lowest heat for 20 minutes, or until tender. Stir rice before serving.
  2. When rice is ready, spoon some rice into serving dishes or pasta bowls, then create a well in the center of the rice and fill the center with a heaping scoop of beef stew and gravy.
  3. Serve immediately.
  4. Serves 6

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6 servings ( includes 1/2 cup rice)

Serving Size:

1 serving (with 1/2 cup rice)

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 433Total Fat: 16.3gSaturated Fat: 5.5gCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 1.8gSugar: 1.9gProtein: 28.4g

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A white dinner plate with cooked rice and some beef and vegetables on top. 2sistersrecipes.com

Finally, your family might also enjoy our Savory Slow Cooked Beef Brisket in Wine Gravy, it is so delicious with minimal prep work!

Hello friends!ย  Have you tried our beef stew recipe?ย  Let us know andย leave a comment with a star rating, your insights and experience will help everyone who reads them, and will help us too!

Happy Cooking!ย  ๐Ÿ™‚

xo anna and liz

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Welcome! From Anna and Liz

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22 Comments

  1. Your recipes are easy and sound delicious. I can’t wait to try them all. Thank you!!

    1. Thank you so much Debbie! And welcome to our recipe blog, it’s so nice to meet you! Have a blessed day!

  2. For all the times that I have made beef stew, I’ve never served it with rice. I don’t know why because we eat a lot of rice. Your dish looks so good…I’ll definitely have to serve it your way.

    1. Oh, that sounds great! I think you will enjoy it very much with rice. thanks so much Karen! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Yes, I think you should go for it! I have never made it with chicken- but that’s how a lot of these recipes are born – testing them!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Hi Leezee, what makes this beef stew cook in half the time is really due to the quality of the meat used and the size of the meat as well. If the meat is not the best quality, it will need more cooking time to get it to tenderize it in order not get chewy and tough meat. That’s why I always look for packages that say “beef for stew” or I’ll ask the butcher in the meat section at the market. And, sometimes in the packages, the beef chunks come too large and need to be cut in half or even smaller and that too helps cut the time in half. I hope this helps!