Simple Beef and Potato Stew Recipe by Cook Stacy Cook

A Comforting, Homemade Classic with Deep, Rich Flavors

When it comes to home-cooked comfort food, few dishes compare to a well-made Beef and Potato Stew. It’s the kind of hearty, soul-warming meal that brings back memories of family dinners and cozy evenings. This dish is deeply rooted in the tradition of simple cooking — combining minimal ingredients with time, care, and flavor-building techniques. Today, I’m excited to share my go-to version of this timeless recipe, one that’s both approachable and irresistibly delicious.

Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just beginning your culinary journey, this recipe is a winner. With easily available ingredients and straightforward steps, anyone can recreate this stew. The result? Melt-in-your-mouth beef, rich, savory broth, and perfectly tender potatoes — all in one comforting bowl.

🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple ingredients: Nothing fancy or complicated. Just honest, wholesome food.
• Flavor-packed: The combination of soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and rice wine creates a bold, umami-rich broth.
• Flexible cuts of beef: Use what you have — chuck roast, brisket, short ribs, or pre-cut stew beef.
• Perfect for meal prep: This stew stores and reheats beautifully, and it freezes well too.
• Foolproof: A low-and-slow method ensures tender beef every time.

🥘 Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s take a closer look at each component and why it matters.

• 5 slices of fresh ginger – Ginger adds a mild spice and depth. It brightens up the beef and balances the richness.
• 10 cloves of garlic, peeled – Garlic is the backbone of any savory dish. It infuses the stew with aroma and flavor.
• 3 green onions – These add freshness. We separate the white and green parts because they’re used at different stages for maximum impact.
• Potatoes (1–2 inch chunks) – These soak up the broth and turn deliciously creamy. You can increase the quantity if you love a starchier stew.
• Chuck roast (or substitute with ribs, brisket, or stew meat) – Chuck is ideal because it becomes tender and juicy after stewing. The marbling adds richness to the dish.
• Soy sauce and dark soy sauce – Regular soy sauce provides saltiness, while dark soy sauce deepens the color and flavor.
• Sugar – A small amount of sugar balances the savory flavors and enhances caramelization.
• Rice wine – Adds a touch of acidity and complexity to the stew’s base.
• Cooking oil – Used for searing and sautéing.
• Hot water – For stewing the beef.

🔪 Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Prepping the Aromatics

Start by slicing 5 thin rounds of fresh ginger. Peel 10 cloves of garlic — you can crush them slightly for more flavor. Cut your green onions into 2-inch segments, separating the white parts (which are more pungent) from the green tops (which are more delicate). These simple aromatics form the flavor base of our stew.

2. Cutting the Potatoes

Peel and cut your potatoes into 1 to 2-inch chunks. It’s important to keep the pieces evenly sized to ensure they cook uniformly. Depending on how much you love potatoes (or how many people you're feeding), you can add more. They’ll absorb the broth like little flavor sponges!

3. Trimming and Cutting the Beef

Now, take your chuck roast and cut it into bite-sized cubes. One tip: cut against the grain to shorten the muscle fibers. This step is crucial to getting that melt-in-your-mouth texture. No need to marinate — the slow simmering will infuse the meat with flavor.

🍽️ How to Serve

This beef and potato stew is a meal in itself, but it pairs beautifully with:

• Steamed white rice – Classic and comforting.
• Noodles – Egg noodles, ramen, or even udon work great.
• Mashed potatoes – For an ultra-comforting double-potato experience.
• Crusty bread – To soak up every drop of that rich broth.

You can even enjoy it as a standalone stew, especially if you’re in the mood for something warming and filling.

❄️ Storing & Freezing Tips

This stew is a meal prep superstar. It stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days and tastes even better the next day as the flavors develop further.

To freeze:

• Let the stew cool completely.
• Store in airtight containers or freezer-safe bags.
• Label and freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheat on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.

💡 Tips and Variations

• Add carrots or celery for extra vegetables.
• Use a slow cooker or instant pot for hands-off cooking.
• Add a touch of five-spice powder or star anise for an Asian twist.
• Prefer it spicier? Toss in a sliced chili or a spoonful of chili garlic paste during the sauté phase.

🧾 Nutritional Info (Approximate per serving):

• Calories: 400–500 kcal
• Protein: 30–35g
• Carbs: 20–25g
• Fat: 20–25g

Note: Nutritional values will vary depending on the cut of beef, potato quantity, and additional ingredients.

📣 Final Thoughts

This Simple Beef and Potato Stew is more than just a meal — it’s a bowl of comfort, tradition, and nourishment. Whether you’re making it for a cozy night in, batch-cooking for the week, or impressing guests with a rustic dish that tastes like it took all day, this recipe delivers.

What I love most is its versatility — you can tailor it to your tastes, your pantry, or your mood. And despite how easy it is to make, the flavors are anything but basic. From the first sizzle of garlic in the pot to the final stir of green onion, this dish is a joy to cook and an even bigger joy to eat.

📢 If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it with your friends and family!
💬 Got a twist on this stew? Drop your variation in the comments below.
👩‍🍳 Until next time — happy cooking from Cook Stacy Cook!