BEEF STEW, IRISH/AMERICAN

Beef Stew, Irish/American image

This is a hearty winter stew, and it looks difficult to make but in actuality it is really easy, and the cook time is not as bad as it seems, any cook can make this with ease, even a beginner. I know that the large amount of Worcestershire sauce sounds crazy, but trust me on this, my entire family and friends do not lie about loving it, they seriously request me to make this recipe and some will nearly beat down the door to get some when I do make it. And the Worcestershire makes the meat fall apart tender. Its an old family recipe I have been making for many years, Y'all enjoy!!

Provided by Janette Suber @jansub6887

Categories Beef

Number Of Ingredients 10

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Ingredients

2 pound(s) beef stew meat
6 cup(s) cubed or diced potatoes
3 cup(s) sliced carrots
2 - chopped onions (diced)
1 bottle(s) 64 oz bottle of ketchup
1 bottle(s) worchestirshire sauce (18 oz bottle hienz)
1 teaspoon(s) garlic powder
1 tablespoon(s) seasonal salt
2 tablespoon(s) sugar
1 can(s) tomato paste

Steps:

In large Stew Pot add water, stew meat, 1 3/4 cups (14 oz) of Worcestershire Sauce, garlic powder, season-all salt and onions. (make sure meat is completely covered with water, if not add more water until water line is at least 2 - 3 inches above meat). Bring to a boil and reduce to Medium heat until meat is done, takes approximately 30 - 40 minutes. **DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT DRAIN THE WATER OFF THE MEAT.** You are going to use it all.
Once meat is done, add in potatoes (you want to use really starchy potatoes), carrots, entire bottle of ketchup, stirring well to combine everything. If you need to add more water to cover everything please do. Taste test to see if you need to add more Ketchup or Worchestirshire after adding extra water. The stew should have a tart taste from the Worchestirshire sauce, kind of a bite so to speak, but not so much you get lock jaw, lol. The gravy or sauce should thicken up from the starch in the potatoes, but if it is not thick enough for you, you can add in some cornstarch to thicken it. This recipe is adjustable.
Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to Low or Medium-Low and simmer, slightly cover and cook for about 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally to reduce sticking to the bottom of the pot. Cook until potatoes are done, and stew starts to thicken. Serve with homemade cornbread or crackers of your choice. My family loves Townhouse Original Crackers with this recipe.
**You can also make this recipe in the crockpot. I put in the meat, water, seasonings and onions just as you would if you were doing it on the stove. Let cook until meat is done, add in other ingredients and cook for about 3 hours on low heat in the crockpot or until potatoes are tender. Cool and serve with your favorite crackers, cornbread, bread or rolls. Enjoy!!
***Note to all cooks - I use a flat surface cooktop, so the medium heat setting is a truly controlled setting whereas with other cooktops such as electric or gas, the heat setting may be too high to simmer the stew, you be the judge of what you need to set it at in order to prevent the stew from burning to the bottom of the pot**
This can also be frozen for a quicky meal at a later date, just pull out of the freezer and put it in the microwave, heat and serve! A delicious Quick Meal when you are on the go and want something homemade and good to feed your family! :) Enjoy!!