Description
Lightened Irish Beef Stew is a healthy comfort food made with lean beef, carrots, potatoes, and herbs simmered in a rich but lighter broth. This easy and amazing recipe delivers cozy flavor without the heaviness of traditional stew.
Ingredients
1½ pounds lean beef stew meat, trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cups low-sodium beef broth
3 large carrots, sliced
3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup peas (optional)
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Pat beef dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. Brown beef in batches until golden; remove and set aside.
4. Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
5. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
6. Add tomato paste and cook 1–2 minutes to deepen flavor.
7. Return beef to the pot.
8. Add broth, thyme, bay leaf, carrots, and potatoes.
9. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
10. Cover and simmer 60–90 minutes until beef is tender.
11. Remove bay leaf and stir in peas if using.
12. Adjust seasoning, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
Use lean chuck or round roast trimmed of visible fat.
If replacing alcohol from traditional recipes, use extra broth plus a splash of balsamic vinegar.
Stew thickens naturally as potatoes release starch.
Flavor improves the next day.
Store refrigerated up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1½ cups)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 75mg