This Cozy Beef Stew is the perfect thing on a cold, chilly night. It has a rich, savory flavor that will warm you right up!
I’m shocked to say that I think this might be one of the only stews on this entire blog. When I realized this, I was shook! I grew up eating stews of all kinds because my mother believed in the power of warm food on a cold day. It can turn your mood completely around. This cozy beef stew is the jam!
In film school I was known—and yes, I say this braggingly–to always have the best food on my sets. I would approach local restaurants and ask for a donation, i.e., meals. And they would happily cater our shoots because we were poor college students of the arts and they loved what we created. Panera was one of those places that donated. And on one of the coldest days in October, we had their broccoli and cheddar soup with sandwiches and bread and salads; it transformed everyone’s mood. It was magical to see what the power of a good meal could do for people working hard.
I admittedly don’t eat an enormous amount of meat. I love vegetables (and cake) but when I do eat meat, I try and eat responsibly-raised meat. It’s not always easy for everyone due to access and budget, I totally understand this.
I went to my meat counter, and purchased some antibiotic free, organic beef stew meat. This cut is famously economical, but boy is it tough if you just sear it and eat it. Braising is definitely the move. I brought out my new love (The Instant Pot) but have included some directions for a Dutch oven, too.
Marinade for Beef Stew!
I borrowed some flavors from my favorite dish growing up, lomo saltado. The soy sauce, beef broth, spices and tomato paste, gives this beef stew a really savory, delicious flavor. And the cubes of delicata squash add such a nice sweetness to the dish. I served it over the creamiest cauliflower puree that kept the dish feeling light and delicious.
How to Make this Cozy Beef Stew!
- Sprinkle the cubes of beef with flour. This helps with giving it a bit of a crust.
- Sauté the cubes of beef with oil.
Let me know if you make this Cozy Beef Stew and let me know via Instagram!
Click here for more Instant Pot Recipes!Â

Cozy Beef Stew Recipe
Ingredients
Cozy Beef Stew:
- 1 1/2 pounds cubed beef stew meatÂ
- Kosher saltÂ
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (you could also use gluten-free flour is you like)
- 2 tablespoons olive oilÂ
- 1 yellow onion peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon ground sweet paprikaÂ
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 garlic cloves peeled and mincedÂ
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 1/2 cups beef brothÂ
- 1 delicata squash cut in half lengthwise, seeds scooped out and sliced into moon shape-slices (about 1-inch thick)Â
- 1 pound of small baby potatoes
Creamy Cauliflower Puree:
- 1 head of cauliflower florets removed
- 2 tablespoons unsated butter
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Micro greens or minced Italian parsley as garnish
Instructions
For Instant Pot instructions:Â
- Sprinkle the cubed up stew meat with salt on both sides. Next, add a bit of flour to a shallow plate and dip each piece of meat into the flour, dusting off any excess.
- Add a few tablespoons of oil to the bottom of the pan. Turn to the sauté function. When hot, add the pieces of meat, in batches, until browned on each side, about 2 minutes per side. Remove and repeat until you’ve worked through the meat. This took me about 15 minutes.Â
- Add an additional teaspoon or two of oil, if needed. Next, add the onion, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, coriander, dried oregano and a few pinches of salt. Mix together until onions are slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Mix in the garlic and then pour in the soy sauce and using a spoon, scrape the bottom of the pan, getting up any bits.Â
- Pour in the beef broth and add the reserved cubes of stew meat. Cover the Instant Pot with its lid. Use the manual setting and put to 15 minutes. Allow to come to pressure and cook for 15 minutes. When it’s done, use the quick release for pressure and carefully remove the lid. Give the broth a taste (be careful it’ll be hot!) and add any salt if needed. I added about 1/2 teaspoon. Add the delicata squash and potatoes. Place the lid on top and set Instant Pot to 10 minutes. When done, use quick release and serve over cauliflower mash.Â
For Pot Instructions:Â
- Sprinkle the cubed up stew meat with salt on both sides. Next, add a bit of flour to a shallow plate and dip each piece of meat into the flour, dusting off any excess.Â
- Place a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add a few tablespoons of oil to the bottom of the pan. When hot, add the pieces of meat, in batches, until browned on each side, about 2 minutes per side. Remove and repeat until you’ve worked through the meat. This took me about 15 minutes.Â
- Add an additional teaspoon or two of oil, if needed. Next, add the onion, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, coriander, dried oregano and a few pinches of salt. Mix together until onions are slightly softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Mix in the garlic and then pour in the soy sauce and using a spoon, scrape the bottom of the pan, getting up any bits.Â
- Pour in the beef broth and add the meat back to the pot. Bring the pot to a gentle boil and then immediately bring the heat down to medium-low. Cover the pot and simmer for about 2 to 3 hours, adding a bit more broth if needed. At the 2 hour mark, add the delicata squash and potatoes and cook for an additional 1 hour, or until the potatoes are tender. Give the sauce a taste (it'll be hot) and add any additional salt, if needed. Serve over cauliflower mash.
To Make the Creamy Cauliflower Mash:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Drop in the cauliflower florets and cook until very tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain and run the cauliflower under cold water. To a high-powered blender (such as a Vitamix), add the ghee and then top with the cauliflower. Pulse until mostly smooth, about 1 minute, stopping and scraping down the sides as needed. Pulse on high for about 2 minutes, until silky smooth, adding a teaspoon or two of ghee, if needed. Add salt and pepper to taste and blend once more until combined.
- When the pot roast is ready, pour the cauliflower in a pot and warm over low heat. Divide between bowls and top with a spoonful of the stew. Garnish with microgreens or minced Italian parsley.
This was DELICIOUS!! And even our toughest critic (the toddler) approved of the melt in your mouth stew meat. I subbed some diced tomatoes for the paste and some cinnamon instead of the coriander (just because I didn’t have them handy). I also added carrots, but didn’t increase the veggie cook time, and I probably should have just a bit. But it was SUPER flavorful and definitely one I’ll make again. Thank you for the delicious recipes Adrianna!
Just made this for dinner and was blown away! It was extremely flavorful and perfect for a cozy fall day. Every recipe I’ve made from this blog has been a showstopper. Thank you Adrianna!
I made this yesterday for a dinner party and it was incredible! The flavours were so good and everyone went back for seconds!
I added carrots and next time I make it I will add parsnips!
I served it over mashed potatoes but I look forward to trying the cauliflower mash!
Thank you so much for another incredible recipe!
I don’t want to be that person that changes up the recipe and still comments, but I am that person right now…because this was still SO GOOD. We got an Instant Pot two days ago and were dying to try it out. I couldn’t find a delicata squash to save my life, so we subbed sweet potato. We also don’t have a high powered blender, but instead had to use our way too old regular blender…I was pleasantly surprised that the cauliflower mash turned out yummy despite that! One last minor thing–the end of the recipe calls for lime, cilantro and green onion. Unfortunately it’s not in the ingredients list and I didn’t read that far into the recipe so we went without it..but again, still amazing. It’s a perfectly spiced dish, and a wonderful way to introduce us to our new Instant Pot. Thank you Adrianna!
Ahh so sorry, I actually didn’t end up adding that haha. I think those were my recipe notes and forgot to delete them. 🙂 So glad you loved it! YAY!
I made this today and it was absolute fire!!! So good – loved that the flavors were different!!
YEAH!!
Do you peel the delicate squash?
Nope! Delicata squash peel can be eaten 🙂
Hey Adrianna, can I make this is a normal pot? I don’t have a Dutch Over or an Instant pot, and already got all the ingredients. Thanks!
Yes a normal pot shouldn’t be too different than a Dutch Oven! So just follow those directions–should work great! 🙂
This looks truly hearty! Love the idea of the cauliflower puree. I also admit I don’t eat a lot of meat and too love my vegetables. Glad to hear you are supporting responsibly-raised meat.
Love that deep, rich color of the sauce!! Looks full of flavor.
I’m so happy to see your manicures making a comeback!! 😉 #ogfan
Hahah…do you follow me on IG Stories? Your girl loves getting her nails done 🙂