Tender Skillet Beef Stew
29 April 2025
super easy
Tender Skillet Beef Stew
My dears, today I poured my heart into this comforting one-pan beef recipe just for you. It's the kind of dish that wraps you in warmth after a long day, tender beef that melts in your mouth, simmered with sweet peppers, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant herbs. All cooked together in one skillet, this is more than just a meal, it's a little bit of love served on a plate. Simple, hearty, and full of flavor, it’s the kind of homemade food that brings everyone to the table. I hope it brings as much comfort to your home as it does to mine.
So, if all that sounds good to you, read on!
Beef stew has always been one of my favorite cozy meals, especially when I’m craving something hearty, homey, and full of rich flavor. This Tender Skillet Beef Stew is everything I love in a comforting dish, juicy chunks of beef that fall apart with your fork, sweet bell peppers, ripe tomatoes, soft onions, and just the right blend of herbs to bring it all to life. Every spoonful is warm, savory, and deeply satisfying.
What makes this stew extra special is that it all comes together in just one pan, easy to cook, easy to clean, and perfect for any night of the week. The vegetables soak up all those beautiful juices from the beef, making them tender and full of flavor. It’s one of those meals that feels like a hug after a long day.
If you enjoy recipes like this, you might also like my Chicken Breast in Creamy Mushroom Sauce or One-Pot Creamy Coconut Milk Chicken, both are full of flavor and just as comforting.
This skillet beef stew is perfect for a quiet night in, Sunday dinners, or even a casual meal with friends. It’s cozy, simple, and sure to become a favorite in your home too. I can’t wait for you to try it!
Ingredients in Tender Skillet Beef Stew
Here’s what you need to make Tender Skillet Beef Stew:
Beef: Choose fresh, tender beef like shoulder or another cut that works well for frying or simmering. It should be soft and juicy when cooked.
Onions: Use medium-sized onions, peeled and finely chopped. They will add sweetness and depth to the dish.
Tomatoes: Pick ripe, juicy tomatoes and cut them into wedges. They’ll bring a fresh, tangy flavor to the stew.
Bell Pepper: Use a sweet bell pepper, like Ramiro, or any variety you like. Cut it into thin strips or long slices for a nice texture.
Tomato Paste: A small spoonful of tomato paste to enrich the flavor and give the dish a rich, savory base.
Butter: Soft, unsalted butter adds richness and smoothness to the sauce.
Spices: A pinch of dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, adjust to taste. These spices will give your dish a warm, aromatic flavor.
Garlic: A couple of fresh garlic cloves, finely chopped, for a savory punch.
Water or Broth: Use hot water or broth (beef or vegetable) to create a flavorful cooking liquid for the stew.
Parsley: Fresh parsley(or another herb you prefer), chopped finely to add a burst of freshness at the end.
How to make Tender Skillet Beef Stew
Recommended Tool: My Favorite Cast Iron Pot
For recipes like this one, a good cast iron pot or deep skillet makes all the difference. It holds heat evenly, helps with perfect browning, and brings out deep, rich flavors in every dish.
I personally recommend this Cast iron pot from Amazon – it’s sturdy, reliable, and perfect for stews, soups, and one-pan meals like this.
Note: This is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. I only recommend products I personally use and trust.
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Start by preparing all the ingredients. Cut the beef into thin, even strips, this will help it cook quickly and evenly. Finely chop the onions to bring out their sweetness. Chop the tomatoes finely. Cut the bell pepper into long, thin strips so they cook evenly and blend well with the beef and other veggies.
Step 2: Sear the Beef & Add Vegetables and Seasoning
Heat a little vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the beef strips. Sear them on all sides until they start to brown and change color. This process will seal in the juices and give the beef a rich, flavorful crust. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan, so it cooks evenly. Stir occasionally to avoid burning.
Once the beef is browned, add the chopped onions to the skillet. Stir everything together and let the onions cook for about 4–5 minutes until they soften and become translucent. The onions will add a delicious sweetness and help build the flavor base for the dish.
Now it’s time to bring in the rest of the ingredients. Stir in the tomatoes, bell pepper, finely chopped garlic, salt, pepper, dried thyme, tomato paste, and butter. Mix everything thoroughly so the beef and vegetables are coated in the seasonings. The tomato paste and butter will give the dish a rich, smooth flavor. Make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed in the pan.
Step 3: Simmer
Pour in the boiling water or broth, making sure the liquid covers the ingredients. Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a lid. Let it simmer for about 1.5 hour. This slow cooking will make the beef incredibly tender and allow all the flavors to meld together. If after an hour there’s still too much liquid, remove the lid and continue cooking for another 30 minutes on medium heat to let the sauce thicken and reduce.
Step 4: Finish with Fresh Herbs
Once the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened to your liking, add the finely chopped parsley. Stir everything together, letting the fresh parsley to add a burst of color and freshness to the dish.
Step 5: Serve with Mashed Potatoes
For an extra comforting touch, serve the beef stew with a generous scoop of creamy mashed potatoes right on top. The potatoes soak up the flavorful sauce beautifully and turn this dish into a hearty, satisfying meal. You can serve it in individual bowls or layer it like a rustic cottage pie.
Ready to Serve
Serve hot and dig in! Each bite is rich, juicy, and packed with flavor, perfect for a cozy lunch or dinner.
That’s it, a hearty, flavorful beef stew made in one skillet and topped with creamy mashed potatoes. It’s easy, comforting, and perfect for any day of the week. Give it a try and let me know how you like it!
I’d love to know what you think if you give this a try! 🙂 – Angie
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Tender Skillet Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 500 g about 1 lb beef (shoulder or other tender cut)
- 2 onions
- 1 large tomatoes
- 1 bell pepper I like to use Ramiro pepper – it’s sweet and flavorful
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 40 g about 3 tbsp butter
- Spices: Dried thyme, salt & black pepper
- 250 ml 1 cup boiling water or broth
- Parsley
- Garlic
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
- Start by preparing all the ingredients. Cut the beef into thin, even strips, this will help it cook quickly and evenly. Finely chop the onions to bring out their sweetness. Chop the tomatoes finely. Cut the bell pepper into long, thin strips so they cook evenly and blend well with the beef and other veggies.
Step 2: Sear the Beef & Add Vegetables and Seasoning
- Heat a little vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the beef strips. Sear them on all sides until they start to brown and change color. This process will seal in the juices and give the beef a rich, flavorful crust. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan, so it cooks evenly. Stir occasionally to avoid burning.
- Once the beef is browned, add the chopped onions to the skillet. Stir everything together and let the onions cook for about 4–5 minutes until they soften and become translucent. The onions will add a delicious sweetness and help build the flavor base for the dish.
- Now it’s time to bring in the rest of the ingredients. Stir in the tomatoes, bell pepper, finely chopped garlic, salt, pepper, dried thyme, tomato paste, and butter. Mix everything thoroughly so the beef and vegetables are coated in the seasonings. The tomato paste and butter will give the dish a rich, smooth flavor. Make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed in the pan.
Step 3: Simmer
- Pour in the boiling water or broth, making sure the liquid covers the ingredients. Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a lid. Let it simmer for about 1.5 hour. This slow cooking will make the beef incredibly tender and allow all the flavors to meld together. If after an hour there’s still too much liquid, remove the lid and continue cooking for another 30 minutes on medium heat to let the sauce thicken and reduce.
Step 4: Finish with Fresh Herbs
- Once the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened to your liking, add the finely chopped parsley. Stir everything together, letting the fresh parsley to add a burst of color and freshness to the dish.
Step 5: Serve with Mashed Potatoes
- For an extra comforting touch, serve the beef stew with a generous scoop of creamy mashed potatoes right on top. The potatoes soak up the flavorful sauce beautifully and turn this dish into a hearty, satisfying meal. You can serve it in individual bowls or layer it like a rustic cottage pie.
Ready to Serve
- Serve hot and dig in! Each bite is rich, juicy, and packed with flavor, perfect for a cozy lunch or dinner.
Notes
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