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Jamie Oliver Beef Stew

Jamie Oliver Beef Stew
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Jamie Oliver Beef Stew is a traditional beef stew made by browning beef, slowly simmering it with vegetables, stock, and herbs, and allowing time to transform simple ingredients into a rich, hearty dish with a thick, glossy sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

    • 800 g stewing beef (chuck or braising steak), cut into large chunks

    • 2 onions, peeled and chopped

    • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced

    • 2 celery sticks, sliced

    • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

    • 2 tablespoons plain flour

    • 1 tablespoon tomato purée

    • 750 ml beef stock

    • 2 bay leaves

    • A few sprigs of fresh thyme

    • Olive oil

    • Salt and black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Brown the beef

Heat a large, heavy-based pot over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Season the beef with salt and pepper, then brown it in batches. This step creates flavour at the base of the stew, so avoid overcrowding the pot.

Step 2: Soften the vegetables

Reduce the heat slightly and add the onions, carrots, and celery to the same pot. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring regularly, until the vegetables soften and pick up colour from the pan.

Step 3: Add garlic and flour

Stir in the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. Sprinkle in the flour and mix well so it coats the vegetables. This helps thicken the stew later and gives the sauce body.

Step 4: Build the sauce

Add the tomato purée and stir to combine. Gradually pour in the beef stock, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. These bits carry a lot of flavour.

Step 5: Add herbs and beef

Return the browned beef to the pot. Add the bay leaves and thyme, then bring everything to a gentle simmer.

Step 6: Slow cook

Cover the pot with a lid and cook on low heat for 1½–2 hours, stirring occasionally. The stew is ready when the beef is tender and the sauce is rich and slightly thickened.

Step 7: Final seasoning

Remove the herbs, taste the stew, and adjust seasoning if needed. Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavours to settle.

Find it online: https://jamieolivereats.uk/beef-stew/