Hearty Tomato Beef Stew

Discover the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly easy and delicious recipe for Beef Stew with Tomato Sauce. This heartwarming dish features succulent, melt-in-your-mouth beef fillet cubes enveloped in a rich, savory tomato sauce that promises to delight your palate. Perfectly versatile, it pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, from fluffy white rice and crispy French fries to nutritious quinoa and earthy couscous. For an authentic touch, we especially love serving this stew with soft, warm Lebanese pita bread, making it a truly satisfying meal for any occasion.

Authentic Flavors: An Easy Lebanese-Inspired Beef Stew Recipe

This Beef Stew recipe draws its inspiration from a beloved traditional dish prepared in countless Lebanese homes. A hallmark of this culinary heritage is the use of finely cut meat, meticulously cooked to achieve an unparalleled tenderness, and infused with the aromatic depth of a Middle Eastern spice blend known as “7 spice” (also referred to as Lebanese Seven Spices). This unique blend, a staple in regional cuisine, can be easily found in most Middle Eastern grocery stores. A quick online search for “Middle Eastern stores near me” should guide you to a local source, or you can conveniently order “Lebanese seven spices” from online retailers like Amazon.

Should you find yourself without 7 spice or prefer an alternative, Cavender’s All Purpose Greek Seasoning makes an excellent substitute. Having personally relied on this seasoning for years, I can attest to its delicious versatility in elevating a wide range of dishes, including this beef stew. Its balanced flavor profile complements the tomato base beautifully, ensuring a flavorful result every time.

Crafting Culinary Perfection: How to Make Tender Beef Stew with Tomato Sauce

As highlighted, this recipe stands out for its straightforward preparation without compromising on flavor or tenderness. The key to a truly memorable beef stew lies in selecting the right cut of meat and mastering a few simple cooking techniques. While I personally favor beef fillet for its inherent tenderness and delicate texture, other cuts can also yield fantastic results depending on your cooking method.

Choosing the Perfect Cut of Beef

• Beef Fillet: My top recommendation for its superior tenderness and quick cooking time, making it ideal for stovetop preparation. Its lean profile absorbs the rich tomato flavors wonderfully.
• Rib Eye: Another excellent choice for stovetop cooking, rib eye offers a bit more marbling, contributing to an even richer flavor and succulence.
• Stew Meat: Often pre-cut and available in supermarkets, stew meat is a convenient option. It typically consists of tougher cuts that benefit from longer, slower cooking to become tender.
• Brisket or Chuck Meat: These cuts are renowned for their robust flavor and ability to become incredibly tender when cooked low and slow. While they can be used for stovetop stews, they truly shine in an Instant Pot or slow cooker, where sustained pressure or gentle heat effectively breaks down their connective tissues. If using these cuts on the stove, be prepared for a longer cooking time to achieve desired tenderness, as they tend to toughen if merely sautéed and simmered briefly.

Regardless of your chosen cut, proper preparation is crucial. Ensure your beef is cut into uniform cubes (about 1-inch pieces) for even cooking. Patting the meat dry before browning is a small but impactful step that promotes a beautiful, flavorful crust, locking in juices and adding depth to your stew.

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide for a Flavorful Stew

1. Sauté the Onions: Begin by heating your chosen oil (vegetable or olive oil works well) in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and sauté them patiently until they soften, turn translucent, and begin to caramelize to a beautiful golden-brown hue. This step is fundamental, as caramelized onions provide a sweet and savory base that forms the backbone of the stew’s flavor.
2. Brown the Beef: Increase the heat to high. Add the beef cubes to the skillet in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Sear the beef on all sides until it achieves a rich golden-brown crust. This browning process, known as the Maillard reaction, is vital for developing deep, complex flavors in your stew. Cook for approximately 2-3 minutes per side.

3. Infuse with Tomatoes and Garlic: Once the beef is nicely browned, reduce the heat to medium. Incorporate the diced fresh tomatoes and minced garlic into the pan. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Cover the skillet and allow it to cook for about 5 minutes. This gentle simmering period allows the tomatoes to break down, releasing their juices and creating a tender, slightly mushy texture that forms the initial layer of your rich tomato sauce. The garlic simultaneously infuses its pungent, aromatic notes throughout the mixture.

4. Season and Simmer: Now it’s time to build the full flavor profile. Add the salt, black pepper, 7 spice (or Cavender’s Greek Seasoning), and tomato paste to the pot. Pour in the water, stirring everything together until well combined and the tomato paste is fully dissolved, creating a cohesive, flavorful liquid. Cover the skillet once more and continue cooking on low heat for an additional 5 minutes. This final simmer allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a robust, savory sauce that coats the tender beef perfectly.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Your quick and easy beef stew with tomato sauce is now ready to be served! The simplicity of this dish, combined with the depth of flavor achieved from fresh ingredients and aromatic spices, makes it a truly satisfying meal that comes together effortlessly.

Beyond the Bowl: Serving Suggestions and Meal Prep Mastery

The versatility of this beef stew with tomato sauce extends far beyond its simple preparation. It’s a dish that lends itself wonderfully to various pairings, making it a crowd-pleaser for every member of the family and a fantastic option for those committed to healthy eating and meal prepping.

What to Serve with Your Hearty Beef Stew

• Classic Comfort: My husband and children often prefer this stew alongside a generous serving of crispy French fries or with warm, pillowy Lebanese pita bread. These options offer a delightful textural contrast and make for a hearty, comforting meal.
• Healthy & Wholesome: For those seeking a lighter or healthier accompaniment, I personally enjoy pairing my beef stew with quinoa. Quinoa is a complete protein and adds a wholesome, nutty dimension to the meal, aligning perfectly with a clean-eating lifestyle.
• Low-Carb Options: For a super low-carb alternative, consider serving the stew with cauliflower rice. It’s an excellent way to enjoy all the rich flavors of the stew while keeping carbohydrate intake minimal, making it suitable for various dietary plans.
• Traditional Staples: Beyond these, classic rice (white or brown) or fluffy couscous are always excellent choices that soak up the delicious sauce beautifully.

Meal Prep Magic: Your Weeknight Solution

This beef stew is an absolute dream for meal prepping. I frequently prepare a larger batch of the stew and quinoa at the beginning of the week. This allows me to effortlessly incorporate a healthy, delicious, and fulfilling meal into my weekly menu. Prepping in advance saves valuable time during busy weeknights and ensures you always have a wholesome option readily available. Stored properly in airtight containers, both the stew and quinoa (or cauliflower rice) will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, making your meal planning stress-free.

Customizing Your Beef Stew: Flavor Variations and Essential Tips

Can You Make the Beef Stew Spicy?

Absolutely! If you enjoy a kick of heat in your meals, incorporating spicy peppers is an excellent way to customize this stew. Simply chop some habanero or jalapeño peppers and add them to the pot during the cooking process, ideally when you add the tomatoes and garlic. For a milder pepper flavor without significant heat, green bell peppers are a fantastic addition. They provide a fresh, slightly sweet capsicum note that complements the robust beef and tomato flavors beautifully. Feel free to experiment with other chilies like serrano for different levels of spice.

Selecting the Freshest Tomatoes for Your Stew

The quality of your tomatoes significantly impacts the overall flavor of this beef stew. I strongly advocate for using fresh, ripe red tomatoes over canned varieties. Fresh tomatoes impart a brighter, more vibrant flavor and natural sweetness that canned tomatoes simply cannot replicate. When selecting tomatoes, aim for those that are deeply red, firm but yield slightly to gentle pressure, and have a fragrant, earthy smell.

While any fresh red tomato will work, certain varieties stand out:

• Grape Tomatoes: These are my personal favorite for most tomato-based dishes. They offer an exceptional sweetness and intense flavor that truly enhances the sauce. When diced, they break down beautifully, contributing to a rich texture.
• Red Vine Tomatoes: A fantastic all-purpose option, red vine tomatoes are juicy and flavorful, providing a good balance of sweetness and acidity.
• Plum Tomatoes (Roma): Known for their meaty texture and fewer seeds, plum tomatoes are excellent for sauces as they offer a concentrated tomato flavor and less water content.

Although fresh tomatoes might sometimes be more expensive than canned options, the superior taste they bring to this stew is well worth the investment. For the best value, consider purchasing fresh tomatoes from larger stores like Sam’s Club, Costco, or Walmart, especially when buying in bulk.

This Beef Stew with Tomato Sauce recipe offers a straightforward path to a truly flavorful and satisfying meal. Its combination of tender beef, aromatic spices, and a vibrant tomato sauce makes it a perfect dish for busy weeknights, comforting family dinners, or efficient meal prepping. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different beef cuts, spice levels, and serving accompaniments to make it truly your own.

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Rating: 4.72 from 7 votes

Beef Stew with Tomato Sauce

By: Mariam Ezzeddine

This Beef Stew with Tomato Sauce is one of the simplest recipes you will ever make! It’s a healthy dish that is great for meal-prep/ clean eating diets.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. beef fillet (cubed)
• 1 medium onion, petite diced
• 1 tbsp. tomato paste
• 2 cups grape tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. 7 spice (or Cavender’s All Purpose Greek Seasoning for substitution)
• 1 tsp. salt, or more to taste
• 2 tbsp. vegetable or olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

Instructions

1. Cube the beef fillet into 1-inch pieces.
2. Dice the onion. Heat the oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over high heat and sauté the onions until caramelized and golden in color.
3. Add in the beef cubes and sauté for about 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally, to obtain a nice brown color on all sides.
4. Add in the diced tomatoes and chopped garlic. Mix well, then cover and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften and become tender.
5. Add in the water, black pepper, 7 spice (or Greek seasoning), salt, and tomato paste. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly. Cover again and cook on low heat for 5 more minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
6. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious homemade beef stew!

Nutrition

Calories: 482kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 431mg | Potassium: 656mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 695IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 4mg

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