Paula Deen's Old-Time Beef Stew Recipe (2024)

Paula Deen's Old-Time Beef Stew is an easy beef stew recipe with carrots, potatoes, celery, onions, and seasonings. This classic vegetable beef stew makes a hearty, delicious meal any time of the year. Slow simmered on the stove top for just over 2 hours.

I'm sure you'll love this beef stew because of its tender, slow-cooked beef, perfectly cooked vegetables, and rich and flavorful broth.

If you love stews and soups, please also try my Cajun Shrimp Stew, 15-Bean Slow Cooker Soup, or Ground Beef Vegetable Soup.

Welcome to My Kitchen Serenity! It's my pleasure to share this delicious Paula Deen recipe. This old fashioned southern beef stew is full of all your favorites traditional stew vegetables and perfectly seasoned. My family loves this stew and I hope that you and your family do, too!

She came to Vicksburg, Mississippi, several years ago for a show. My mom and I went to see her show and we really enjoyed it. After the show, my mom purchased this cookbook for me, Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics, and this cookbook is where this beef stew recipe is from.

Ingredients You'll Need

please scroll down to the recipe card for detailed ingredients and helpful information

Beef stew meat - for best results buy a chuck roast and cut into small chunks. You can also buy the precut beef stew meat.

Fresh vegetables - onions, potatoes, carrots, and celery.

Seasonings - Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, pepper, bay leaves, sugar, paprika, and ground allspice.

Cornstarch - use to thicken the stew.

How to Make It

Paula Deen's Old-Time Beef Stew has only 15 minutes of prep time...then sit back for a while and let the stew slow simmer to perfection!

Step 1. Brown the meat in a hot skillet. This process sears the meat and locks in the juices. You don't cook the meat through, only the surface gets a quick, brown, crisp outer layer.

Step 2. After browning the beef stew meat, add all the seasonings and water then simmer for 1-½ hours. This slow-cooking process will ensure super tender, flavorful meat and rich broth.

Step 3. Remove bay leaves and garlic clove. Add carrots, potatoes, and celery. Cover and cook 30-40 minutes longer.

Step 4. To thicken stew, remove 2 cups hot liquid. Using a separate bowl, combine ¼ cup of water and cornstarch until smooth. Mix with hot liquid and return mixture to pot.

What Goes with Beef Stew?

Should Potatoes be Peeled for Beef Stew?

To peel or not to peel, that's the question. There is no right or wrong answer here. I always peel potatoes (and carrots) for stew but I have no reason why, other than that's what my mother does. If you choose to keep the peel on, be sure to thoroughly wash the potatoes first. Potato peels do have nutritional value so keeping the peel on may be a good choice for you. However, remove the peel if they are bruised or green.

What Desserts go with Beef Stew?

What Beef is Good for Stew?

You can usually find a package of "beef stew meat” in your grocery store's meat section. Typically, beef stew meat comes from the chuck or other inexpensive cuts. Before deciding which cut of beef to use, check out this great article from TasteofHome.com.

How do you Tenderize Stew Beef?

As mentioned above, stew meat is typically from the more inexpensive cuts of beef. In order to make your beef stew as awesome as possible, you will want to make sure that you take appropriate steps to tenderize the meat. This recipe calls for browning the meat in a hot skillet first. This step is very important as it ensures tender, juicy meat.