Beef Stew For One

Looking for a cozy dish that delivers big on flavor without overwhelming you with leftovers?

This single serving beef stew recipe is the ultimate comfort food, adapted just for you! As the cool weather sets in, dive into a bowlful of hearty beef, tender veggies like potatoes, onions, and carrots, all mingling in a rich and flavorful broth. With a perfect blend of spices, this dish captures the essence of home cooking in one bowl.

Features of This Beef Stew Recipe

• Simple: Despite the list of ingredients, it’s incredibly easy to make.
• Flexible: Switch out spices or veggies based on what you have.
• Rich Flavor: Tender beef and veggies absorb a full-bodied broth.
• Perfectly Portioned: This recipe is tailored for one, avoiding food waste.
• Doubles Easily: Need more? The recipe scales up effortlessly.

Ingredient Notes

This section provides a quick rundown of the ingredients used in this easy Beef Stew recipe. For complete measurements and step-by-step instructions, please scroll to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.

Oil for Searing: Choose between canola, vegetable, or avocado oil for the meat-searing step. Each option ensures a good sear.

Beef Chuck Roast: Opt for small, bite-sized cubes of chuck roast for tender meat. Alternatives include top round, rump roast, chuck shoulder, or eye round roast. To cube easily, slice the roast into strips and then into cubes. Remove any large fat pieces first.

Seasonings: The trio of salt, black pepper, and dried thyme delivers a balanced flavor profile. They’re staples in seasoning this dish.

Vegetable Medley: A mix of chopped onions, celery, garlic, a carrot, a small gold potato, and peas create a hearty vegetable base.

Tomato Paste: Leftover tomato paste can be frozen in ice cube trays. Once frozen, store the cubes in a zip-top bag in the freezer for future use.

Worcestershire Sauce: A dash elevates the overall flavor, adding a complex tanginess to the stew.

Flour for Thickness: All-purpose flour helps achieve a thicker consistency. However, gold potatoes may release enough starch to thicken the broth. For a gluten-free option, use 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch as a substitute.

Red Wine: This optional ingredient enriches the stew’s flavor. No wine? Use chicken or vegetable broth, red or white wine vinegar, or lemon juice as substitutes.

Chicken Broth: I opt for chicken broth over beef to avoid the tinny flavor found in some beef broth brands. Chicken broth or stock is a reliable alternative that delivers consistently good results. 

Recipe Variations

Beef stew is a pretty forgiving dish, offering room for creativity and personalization. Here are some twists you can try to make the recipe uniquely yours:

• Switch Up The Protein: Craving something other than beef? Substitute it with lamb for a richer, more luxurious stew.
• More Veggies, Please: If you’re looking to up your veggie intake, feel free to toss in some additional vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers for added texture and flavor.
• Go Gluten-Free: Swap out the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free thickening agent like cornstarch, making sure to adjust the quantities as needed.
• Herb-Infused: If dried thyme isn’t in your pantry, no worries! You can easily replace it with dried basil, rosemary, or a sprinkle of herbes de Provence to add a distinct aroma to your stew.
• Spice It Up: If you like a little heat in your stew, add a dash of cayenne pepper or a dollop of spicy Sriracha for that extra kick.

So go ahead and make the beef stew your own, because that’s the beauty of home cooking—you have the freedom to tailor it to your personal preferences!

How To Make Beef Stew

See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Season beef with salt and pepper and brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Remove the beef from the pot and place on a plate.
2. If no oil is left in the pot, add an additional ½ tablespoon of oil and stir in the chopped onions and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally until the onions are translucent, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally for 30 seconds. As you might imagine, the aroma coming from your kitchen will be incredible.
4. Add the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce and cook, stirring constantly for 30 seconds.
5. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables. Stir until the there is no visible flour and the vegetables look slightly mushy from the flour coating, 1 minute.
6. Pour in the wine and dried thyme. Stir until the wine has reduced and has slightly thickened.
7. Add the broth and return the beef to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and simmer for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally and make sure the stew stays at a very low simmer.
8. Add the gold potatoes, carrots, and peas to the stew. Cover the pot again and cook on low heat for another 25 minutes. When done, the meat should be tender and flake apart easily and the potatoes should be cooked through. If not, cover the pot again and cook in 10-minute increments until cooked.

Expert Tips

• Opt for Chicken Broth for Unique Flavor: While beef broth is the traditional choice, I personally prefer using chicken broth in my beef stew. Many store-bought beef broths can introduce a metallic taste to the stew, which is why chicken broth can be a great alternative.
• Flexible Wine Substitutions: If you’re out of red wine or prefer a non-alcoholic option, you can easily swap it for additional broth, red or white wine vinegar, or even water without compromising on taste.
• Affordable Meat Choices: The recipe starts with 5 ounces of beef chuck roast, but don’t feel tied to that specific cut. Budget-friendly options like bottom round, top round, eye round, or shoulder roast work well too.
• Sear Before Slow-Cooking: For the most flavorful outcome, always sear your meat before letting it simmer with the rest of the ingredients. This extra step locks in the meat’s natural flavors, elevating your stew to new heights.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I sear meat effectively?

Begin by heating a pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add your beef chunks. Let them cook undisturbed for about 4-5 minutes until a dark crust forms on the bottom. Then, flip the pieces and brown the other sides.

What’s the ideal pan size for small batch beef stew?

For this small-batch beef stew, a 2-quart saucepan is perfect. Any pot with similar dimensions will yield optimal results.

Is lamb a good substitute for beef?

Absolutely, lamb is an excellent alternative and will work wonderfully in this stew recipe.

How should I store leftover beef stew?

Store any leftover beef stew in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days.