Amish Beef Stew Recipe: A Hearty Traditional Comfort Food

Last week, Henry asked me for “real comfort food” after he came home from a particularly long day.

I knew exactly what he meant something warm, filling, and made with love. That’s when I remembered this incredible Amish beef stew recipe that my neighbor Sarah shared with me years ago.

Trust me, this isn’t just any ordinary stew. The Amish know how to make food that sticks to your ribs and warms your soul, and this recipe delivers exactly that.

What makes it special is the slow, patient cooking process and the way each ingredient builds on the last to create something truly magical.

I’m so over-the-moon excited to share this with you because it’s become one of our family’s absolute favorites. Isabella, Emma, and Noah practically lick their bowls clean every time I make it!

Plus, it makes your whole house smell incredible while it’s cooking. If you’re looking for the perfect cold-weather meal that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds, this garlic butter steak lightning noodles recipe pairs beautifully as a hearty dinner combination.

Why You Will Love This Amish Beef Stew Recipe

• Incredibly tender beef that falls apart with just a fork
• Simple, wholesome ingredients you probably already have in your pantry
• Perfect for meal prep tastes even better the next day
• One-pot cooking means minimal cleanup (my favorite part!)
• Budget-friendly using affordable chuck roast that becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender
• Family-approved even picky eaters will devour this comforting stew

Ingredients Needed for Perfect Amish Beef Stew

For the Stew Base:

• 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1¼-inch cubes
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• ½ cup red wine (optional, or substitute beef broth)

For the Cooking Liquid:

• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 bay leaves
• 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)

For Thickening (Optional):

• 2 Tbsp flour
• 2 Tbsp butter
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Pro tip: Don’t skip the tomato paste! It adds incredible depth and that rich, beautiful color that makes this stew so appealing.

How to Make This Traditional Amish Beef Stew Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Brown the Beef

Pat your beef chuck roast cubes completely dry with paper towels. This is super important for getting that gorgeous brown crust!

Season generously with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Brown the beef in batches (don’t overcrowd!), setting each batch aside as it finishes.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

In the same pot, reduce heat to medium. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery.

Cook for about 5 minutes until they start to soften and smell amazing.

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 more minutes – this step is crucial for developing that deep, rich flavor.

Step 3: Deglaze for Maximum Flavor

Pour in the red wine (or extra beef broth if you prefer), scraping up all those beautiful brown bits from the bottom of the pot.

These bits are pure flavor gold, trust me!

Step 4: Simmer to Perfection

Return the browned beef to the pot. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and fresh thyme.

Bring everything to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook on low heat for 1½ hours.

The house will start smelling incredible around this time.

Step 5: Add Potatoes and Continue Cooking

Stir in your cubed Yukon Gold potatoes. Continue cooking uncovered for another 45 minutes, or until both the beef and potatoes are fork-tender.

The beef should practically fall apart when you touch it with a fork.

Step 6: Final Touches

If you want a thicker stew (which I always do!), mix the butter and flour together and stir it into the stew.

Cook for 5 more minutes to thicken. Remove the bay leaves and thyme stems, taste for seasoning, and garnish with fresh parsley.

Storage & Reheating Your Amish Beef Stew

This traditional beef stew stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

In fact, it tastes even better the next day as all the flavors have time to meld together! Store it in airtight containers and reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat.

For longer storage, this stew freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months.

Just note that the potatoes might change texture slightly after freezing, but the flavor remains incredible. I like to freeze individual portions for easy weeknight dinners.

When reheating, add a splash of beef broth if it seems too thick.

The stew will thicken naturally as it cools, so don’t worry if it looks a bit thin when hot.

Pro Tips for the Best Amish Beef Stew Recipe

• Don’t rush the browning process – this step creates the foundation of flavor
• Cut beef into uniform pieces so everything cooks evenly
• Use a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven for the most even heat distribution
• Add potatoes later to prevent them from becoming mushy
• Taste and adjust seasoning at the end – sometimes it needs an extra pinch of salt
• Try adding a splash of apple cider vinegar at the very end to brighten all the flavors

For an even easier version, this works beautifully in a slow cooker!

After browning the beef and sautéing the vegetables, transfer everything except the potatoes to your slow cooker.

Cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 4-5 hours, adding the potatoes in the last 90 minutes.

FAQs About Amish Beef Stew

Conclusion: Your New Go-To Comfort Food

This Amish beef stew recipe has become such a staple in our house, and I know it’ll become one in yours too.

There’s something so satisfying about making a meal that brings everyone to the table with genuine excitement.

The best part? It’s actually pretty hands-off once you get everything into the pot.

You can prep it in the morning and come home to the most incredible aroma filling your house. Plus, leftovers mean easy lunches for the rest of the week!

I can’t wait to hear how your family loves this traditional beef stew.

Be sure to tag me on Instagram when you make it I love seeing your cooking adventures! Save this recipe to Pinterest so you can find it again when you need that perfect comfort food meal.

Related Recipes You May Love

• High Protein Bread Recipe Easy Delicious Perfect for sopping up every last drop of this stew
• Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce No Blender Another hearty, protein-packed comfort food
• Butternut Squash and Feta Cheese Recipes A lighter but equally satisfying meal option

Happy cooking!

Amelia

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