Description
This hearty Beef Stew with Pumpkin combines tender chunks of beef chuck simmered slowly with aromatic herbs, garlic, and onions in a rich broth, enhanced by the natural sweetness of pumpkin or butternut/acorn squash. Perfect for cozy dinners, this recipe yields a flavorful, comforting stew that pairs wonderfully with crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups chopped onion (from 1 large)
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups cubed pumpkin (acorn or butternut squash), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
Instructions
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Brown the Beef: Add the beef chuck cubes to the pot. Season with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and some black pepper. Brown the meat on all sides for 5 to 7 minutes to develop flavor.
- Add Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to enhance the stew’s depth.
- Add Liquids and Herbs: Pour in the beef broth and red wine. Add the dried oregano, fresh thyme sprig, and bay leaf. Stir to combine, then cover the pot.
- Simmer the Stew: Reduce the heat to low and let the stew cook gently until the beef is tender, approximately 1 1/2 hours. Check occasionally to ensure it simmers evenly.
- Add Pumpkin and Continue Cooking: Once the beef is tender, add the cubed pumpkin or squash. Continue cooking the stew, uncovered, for an additional 30 to 35 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender but not mushy.
- Adjust Seasonings and Serve: Taste the stew and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Remove and discard the bay leaf and thyme sprig. Serve hot with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.
Notes
- This stew benefits from slow and gentle simmering to tenderize the beef and meld flavors perfectly.
- Use acorn or butternut squash as alternatives to pumpkin for a slightly different sweetness and texture.
- Pair the stew with crusty bread or a side of mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors continue to develop.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 3/4 cups
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 448 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 15.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 154 mg
