Beef Stew with Pumpkin
When the temperature starts to drop, I love to warm up with a comforting bowl of beef stew. Therefore, this Pumpkin stew hits the spot! It’s made with chunks of beef brown with onions and garlic and then cook on low in a mixture of broth and red wine until tender. The stew is flavored with oregano, thyme, and bay leaf, and fresh pumpkin or winter squash is added halfway through. For some different beef stew recipes, try this Classic Beef Stew, Slow Cooker Beef Stew, Beef and Kabocha Squash Stew and Carne Guisada (Latin Beef Stew).
There’s no flour in this stew which makes it naturally gluten-free.
What is the best meat for beef stew?
The best beef stew meat is beef chuck roast. It conveniently is one of the more budget-friendly cuts of meat since it’s so tough – making it perfect for stews. Since it’s higher in fat, I like to pair it with plenty of vegetables to balance the dish.
Do I have to brown the meat for beef stew?
Yes, I highly recommend it! Browning the beef before you simmer it gives it a much deeper flavor.
How can I make my beef stew tender?
Stews are all about low and slow cooking. The tough chuck roast is cut into small one-inch cubes and cooks on low heat for almost two hours. As it cooks, the beef will break down and get more tender. It’s definitely worth the time. Don’t use lean beef here, it will never become tender even if you cook it for hours.
Pumpkin Stew Variations:
If you’d like your beef stew without wine, swap it for more beef broth. Use acorn squash or butternut squash if you can’t find pumpkin. If you want to add more veggies, carrots and tomatoes can be added. Save on prep time, and buy pre-cut butternut squash. To make in a slow cooker, brown the meat and onions first, then cook 8 hours on low heat with 1/4 cup less broth. To make in the Instant Pot, brown the meat and onions first then cook on high pressure for 35 minutes with 1/4 cup less broth.
More Stew Recipes You’ll Love:
Paprika Chicken Stew Slow Cooker Chickpea Sweet Potato Stew Pressure Cooker Pozole (Pork and Hominy Stew) Beef Stew Portuguese Seafood Stew Slow Cooker Beef Stew
