Stew: The ultimate comfort food
The version shared here hails from the 1970s, offering a straightforward, classic approach to New England beef stew. It relies on simple ingredients and slow simmering to build layers of flavor, just the way home cooks have been doing it for decades. Whether you’re looking for a taste of nostalgia or simply a reliable recipe to add to your rotation, this beef stew is as dependable as it gets.
The original New England beef stew retro recipe from 1974
Here’s a hearty old-fashioned stew that’s abundant with beef and fresh vegetables. It’s often served on special occasions in the Betty Crocker New England Kitchen.
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New England beef stew
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 pounds of beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons shortening
- 6 cups of water
- 3 medium potatoes, pared and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 medium turnip, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 carrots, cut into 1-inch slices
- 1 green pepper, cut into strips
- 1 cup of sliced celery (1-inch pieces)
- 1 medium onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 2 teaspoons of instant beef bouillon (or 2 cubes)
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Mix flour, 1 teaspoon of salt and the pepper.
- Coat beef with flour mixture.
- Melt shortening in large skillet.
- Brown beef thoroughly.
- Add water. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and cover tightly.
- Simmer 2 hours.
- Stir in vegetables, 1 tablespoon salt, the bouillon and bay leaf; cover.
- Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
Notes
If desired, thicken stew: Shake 1 cup of water and 2 to 4 tablespoons of flour in a covered jar; stir slowly into stew. Heat, stirring constantly, to boiling. Boil and stir for 1 minute.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 504Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 152mgSodium: 1781mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 6gSugar: 7gProtein: 54g
Click Americana offers approximate nutrition information as a general reference only, and we make no warranties regarding its accuracy. Please make any necessary calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe, and consult with a qualified healthcare professional if you have dietary concerns.
This Crock-Pot 3-Quart Slow Cooker provides you the flexibility to prepare a meal early and then have it slow-cook all day, so you can come home to a nutritious, home-cooked meal in the evening.
