French Onion Beef Stew

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Woooh, it’s a little dusty in here. I might have even spotted a few tumbleweeds in the corner. And yep, there’s a few cobwebs over there too. I’m not going to make up any excuse as to why it’s been almost 3 weeks since I posted because I don’t have any.

beef stew

Simply put, life got crazy. As many of you know, I spent 10 days in Fiji, one day in LA and three days in Cleveland the first two weeks of October. That meant I had two weeks worth of work to get done before I even left on October 1st. That means each day I had 3 – 6 recipes due a day versus the manageable 2 – 3. That makes it hard to focus on blogging (or showering, eating normal meals, etc).

french onion beef stew

I want to say I’m sorry but I’m kind of not, to be honest. When I started this blog, I never wanted it to take over my real life. I never wanted this thing I loved to turn into something that left me stressed when I was on vacations or weekends (I have a full-time job for that!) I always wanted this blog to be my place of solitude, a small corner of the internet where I never had to worry about deadlines or traffic.

ingredients

And it’s remained that. Although I have no intentions of leaving you hanging for that long again (no more waffles, Tracy!), I can’t say it’ll never happen again. But I can make you promise, when I do come back I’ll have a ton of new recipes to make up for it.

crispy french onion beef stew2

Which is why you’re looking at an amazing little bowl of stew this morning! French onion soup is one thing I can never get enough of (ask my mother about the time we went to Paris and that’s all I ate). I also love beef stew. So one morning, I had the crazy idea to mate the two together to create one insanely delicious flavor packed stew that’s complete with a crispy, cheesy crouton on top.

best french onion beef stew

Holycow. You guys, this stew. I can’t believe I managed to keep it secret for three weeks because I’m already planning a remake this weekend. I hope this stew makes up for my absence, if not, don’t worry, I have plenty more recipes and stories that should 🙂

French Onion Beef Stew

best beef stew french onion

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS RECIPE!

Serves about 4.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 1 1/2 hours

Ingredients: 

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 4 cups sliced onions
  • 6 cups low sodium beef broth
  • 1 cup dark beer
  • 2 1/2 pounds beef stew meat
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 medium carrots, sliced
  • 3 medium celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 medium red potatoes, sliced
  • 1 cups mushrooms
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons italian seasoning
  • 4 slices of french bread
  • 4 slices of mozzarella or provolone cheese
  • Salt and pepper

Directions:

  1.  Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add onions, reduce heat to medium low, and cook until onions are soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Mix in 4 cups of broth and 1 cup of beer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes. Remove from direct heat after but keep warm.
  2. Meanwhile, dredge the beef stew meat in flour and shake off excess. Heat olive oil in another pot over medium heat. Add the beef stew meat in batches and cook until browned on each side, about 4 – 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set in another bowl.
  3. Add beef to the same pot and stir in the remaining 2 cups of broth. Increase heat to high, bring to a boil and then reduce to low. Simmer for about 30 minutes, or mixture is thickened.
  4. Gradually mix in the onion and beer/broth mixture, mixing well. Stir in the carrots, celery, potatoes, mushrooms and italian seasoning. Cover the mixture and simmer for another 30 – 45 minutes, or until vegetables are soft.
  5. Preheat broiler. Fit a slice of bread over four ramekins or bowls. Add a slice of cheese to the tops of the bread. Broil for about 2 minutes or until cheese is melted and browned. Serve warm.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories: 675
Fat: 24 grams
Carbohydrates: 44.5 grams
Fiber: 6 grams
Protein: 32 grams
Weight Watchers Points: 14

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Comments

  1. Posted by Connie | URBAN BAKES on
    Thursday, October 16th, 2014
    #sorrynotsorry Hahaha
    I think you and everyone else in this world deserves a break. I completely agree with taking time away from the blog to not get stressed out about it.

    But I'm really glad to see you came back with this wonderful stew. Saw it on Fb and I'm loving it!
  2. Posted by Sophia @ NY Foodgasm on
    Thursday, October 16th, 2014
    Shit, this is the best fusion I have seen in a while, this should totally be in my belly right now!
  3. Thursday, October 16th, 2014
    Sure, you were missed, but this soup totally makes up for your absence. Oh, this is so going on the menu.
  4. Thursday, October 16th, 2014
    So wonderful you are able to do so much traveling! I'd love to go to Fiji! Your photos are beautiful and you have me craving stew :)
  5. Thursday, October 16th, 2014
    All of that doesn't count as an excuse for not posting? Pssh. I feel burned out doing 2 posts a week.

    And stew?! I made stew today for the first time in 5 years and a picked a really boring recipe. I wish I would have seen this first!
  6. Thursday, October 16th, 2014
    I'm glad you had some nice relaxing time off but also glad you are back to blogging! And what a great recipe to share for your first one after the break :)
  7. Posted by meh on
    Thursday, October 16th, 2014
    sounded like an excuse to me
  8. Posted by Heather // girlichef on
    Thursday, October 16th, 2014
    I wouldn't be even a little bit sorry, and neither should you! But I am happy to see this comforting stew.

    p.s. - Fiji!!!!!
  9. Posted by christne on
    Thursday, October 16th, 2014
    I'm diggn this fusion of stew and French onion soup! I bet it packs so much flavor! I'd say this more than makes up for your disappearing act :-)
  10. Posted by Martha@A Family Feast on
    Thursday, October 16th, 2014
    Your travels sound great - and this French Onion Beef Stew does too!
  11. Posted by Marjory @ Dinner-Mom on
    Friday, October 17th, 2014
    It's great to re-charge and when you can come back and share something wonderful like this French Onion Beef Stew! Looks fantastic!!!
  12. Friday, October 17th, 2014
    This soup CALLS to me lady. It's two of my faves in one bowl. I'm totally making this soon. And welcome back!
  13. Friday, October 17th, 2014
    I FORGIVE YOU BECAUSE THIS STEW FUSION IS AMAZING!! OK - I wasn't really mad at you. You deserved your time away. Now I can't wait for all the delicious recipes you have planned!
  14. Posted by Diane on
    Friday, October 17th, 2014
    Sounds amazing! I've pinned it, and will probably try it this week. :-) Thanks!
  15. Posted by Kim Beaulieu on
    Saturday, October 18th, 2014
    I love watching your adventures on FB so keep on keeping on. A little dust and cobwebs is a-okay.

    This stew, oh man, this stew is making me want to run into the kitchen and whip a batch up. But I'm a hotel, so, you know, maybe not so much.
  16. Saturday, October 18th, 2014
    French Onion Soup and now Stew is a must for the fall. It truly is the ultimate comfort food.
  17. Posted by Angela on
    Sunday, October 19th, 2014
    Just made this using shiitake mushrooms, soooooo good! My husband loved it! Can't wait to eat leftovers tomorrow night!
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Monday, October 20th, 2014
      Yay!!!! I'm so glad to hear that!!