This old-fashioned New England beef stew recipe from 1974 will warm your soul

Beef stew recipe from the 1970s

Note: This article may feature affiliate links, and purchases made may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Email
LinkedIn
Pocket
Reddit

Stew: The ultimate comfort food

Beef stew is one of those dishes that feels like a warm welcome after a long day. This hearty meal has been a dinnertime favorite for generations, especially in regions like New England, where cold winters call for something substantial and satisfying. Packed with tender chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots and onions, it’s the kind of recipe that brings everyone to the table.

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.

This old-fashioned New England beef stew recipe

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.

REMEMBER THESE? The magical vintage Crock-Pot Slow Cookers from the 70s & 80s changed the game for working moms

Beef stew recipe from the 1970s

New England beef stew

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes

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

  1. Mix flour, 1 teaspoon of salt and the pepper.
  2. Coat beef with flour mixture.
  3. Melt shortening in large skillet.
  4. Brown beef thoroughly.
  5. Add water. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and cover tightly.
  6. Simmer 2 hours.
  7. Stir in vegetables, 1 tablespoon salt, the bouillon and bay leaf; cover.
  8. 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.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, qualifying purchases made via our links earns us a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount 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.

Crock-Pot 3-Quart Slow Cooker
$29.99

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.

Shop now
02/12/2025 10:31 am GMT

PS: If you liked this article, please share it! You can also get our free newsletter, follow us on Facebook & Pinterest. Thanks for visiting and for supporting a small business! 🤩 

Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

You might also like...

The fun never ends:

Comments on this story

Leave a comment here!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe