Stew is the kind of dish that’s synonymous with cozy comfort food, but traditionally, it can take hours to develop the rich flavors that make it so satisfying. Enter this 45-minute beef stew, a quicker, weeknight-friendly version that doesn’t skimp on flavor or warmth. It’s the perfect balance of tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a savory broth, all simmered together to create a comforting, soul-warming dish that’s ready in a fraction of the usual time.
The secret to this speedy stew lies in how you prep and cook the ingredients. Using a pressure cooker or an Instant Pot, you can cut the usual cooking time by more than half, allowing the beef to become meltingly tender while maintaining that depth of flavor that makes stew so special. A good sear on the beef before adding the broth enhances the richness of the final dish, while the vegetables, carrots, potatoes, and onions, add the perfect amount of texture and sweetness.
The broth itself is a simple mix of beef stock, garlic, herbs, and a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar for depth. You don’t need hours to let the flavors develop; the pressure cooker works its magic in just 20 minutes, ensuring that every bite is as flavorful as it would be after a long, slow simmer.
This 45-minute beef stew isn’t just quick, it’s flexible, too. You can easily swap out vegetables, adjust the seasoning, or even add in a handful of peas or corn at the end to add another layer of texture. It’s a no-fuss, one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights but impressive enough to serve when you want to treat yourself (or your family) to something hearty and satisfying.
Serve it with a slice of crusty bread or over a bed of rice to soak up all that rich, flavorful broth, and you’ve got a comforting, filling meal that feels like it took hours, without the wait.

Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 carrots peeled and sliced
- 2 potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 tsp thyme dried
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss the beef stew meat with flour until evenly coated.
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the coated beef stew meat and cook until browned on all sides.
- Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion is tender.
- Pour in the beef broth and red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.
- Add the browned beef back into the pot, along with the sliced carrots, diced potatoes, dried thyme, and bay leaf.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover the pot.
- Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Serve the beef stew hot and enjoy!
Didn’t have red wine, so I used white, and it was still good! But I think the red would be better.
I guess it was okay, but mine turned out a bit bland. Maybe I needed more seasoning?
Very good recipe but I forgot to buy the red wine 🥴. Still turned out okay with just beef broth.
Beef stew?! This ain’t no stew, it’s like soup! More meat please
I made this yesterday, and I swear, it was better than my mom’s. No joke!
My kids didn’t eat it. They just picked out the potatoes. Not their favorite.
This beef stew is amazing! My family loved it. Definitely making again!
Too oily for my taste. I think less oil next time.
This stew is absolutely delicious! My family loved it!
So glad to hear that! I made it last week and felt the same. It’s such a comforting dish!
I dunno, the wine part feels weird for stew. Can’t you just use more broth? Seems like a waste.
I don’t know about the red wine part, seems unnecessary to me. Can I just use more broth?
Wait—salt and pepper “to taste” but no amount? lol also 4 cups broth for 2 lbs beef seems too much to me. Could be bland if you don’t season right.
This stew is so delicious! I added some celery, and it turned out great. My family loved it!
For stew, I prefer my mom’s recipe. This one ain’t it. Sorry.
Who has time for all this? 45 mins?? Rn I’m busy. Gonna skip this one.
Yum! This is exactly what I needed on a cold night. Tastes like home.
I messed up step 1 and didn’t coat evenly… still turned out tasty though. Kinda rustic looking, but flavor was there.
This reminds me of my grandma’s stew! So comforting and warm. Love it!
45 min?? lol it took me way longer. Still, was tasty. I’m giving it 3 ‘cause my onions were not tender in 5 minutes
Really simple and quick! I was skeptikal at first about the wine, but wow! It added a nice depth of flavor.
This beef stew was amazing! So hearty and delicious, perfect for a cold night. Will definitely make again!
Took me longer than 45 minutes, maybe I’m just slow? But it was worth the wait. The flavors were good.
Hey, don’t worry! Cooking times can vary based on so many things. It sounds like you did a great job if the flavors were good! 😋
45 minutes? Really? I don’t believe it’s possible. My last stew took forever, and it wasn’t even worth it.
I tried this recipe but it was too salty for my taste. Maybe cut back on the salt? idk.
I didn’t have thyme so I used oregano instead. Still pretty good!
Oregano works too! I think it adds a nice twist. Glad it turned out good for you!
Best stew ever! Didn’t expect the wine to make that much difference. Totally recommend this recipe.
I agree! The wine really adds that extra flavor. I never thought about using it in stew before, but now I can’t ignore it! Yum!
Stew is stew, ya know? It was fine but nothing special. 🤷♂️
This stew was delicious! The red wine adds such a rich flavor. My family loved it!
Stew is stew, but I prefer chicken. Beef tastes funny. Lol.
This stew was a hit at my family dinner! The beef turned out so tender and flavorful. Highly recommend!
Really easy recipe, but why not just buy a can of stew? 🤷♂️
I get what you’re saying! Canned stew is quick, but cooking it from scratch tastes a lot better. Plus, you know exactly what’s in it! 😋
But making it yourself can be fun! 😄 And it doesn’t take long. I think it’s worth a try!
Nice and hearty! Just right for cold weather. Will add some peas next time.
Quick and simple! A great recipe for a busy weeknight. Thanks!
I tried this recipe last night and it was delish! My family loved it!
Sounds good but what’s the point of adding wine? Is it really necessary?
I used red wine and it made the sauce feel restaurant-level. My toddler didn’t even complain (which is basically a miracle).
Ooh good call on the red wine—scraping the browned bits + wine really does make it taste “fancy.” And toddler approval is the ultimate review 😂
I wish I knew what red wine is for. Do I even need it?
This stew was absolutely delicious! My family loved it and it made the house smell amazing! Will definitely make again!
I don’t really like wine in my stew. Is it really necessary? What’s it taste like? 🤔
I totally get you! Wine can be a bit much for some. It adds a depth of flavor, but you can skip it if it’s not your thing. Just maybe add a bit more broth?
Nah, don’t need wine! I make my stew with just water and my family loves it. Doesn’t really change much, I think.
The beef stew was ok, but I think it needed more seasoning. Not as flavorful as I hoped.
I agree! Maybe adding some herbs like rosemary or a bit of paprika could help? Seasoning really makes a difference.
Not bad, but I’m skeptical about the “quick” time claim. I liked it, but it took longer and I had to adjust seasoning at the end.
I had the same issue with seasoning—ended up adding a bit more salt and pepper at the end. Next time I’ll probably taste sooner.
Yeah, “45-minute” feels optimistic—browning + prep alone takes time, and 30 minutes simmer is hit-or-miss depending on your beef. Glad it still worked for you though!
I used chicken instead of beef and it turned out fine. Just a tip for ya.
Good idea! Chicken is a healthier option. I’ll try it next time!
But it’s called beef stew for a reason! Won’t it taste weird with chicken?
Made this tonight and it turned out *so* rich. Browning the beef really matters—my kitchen smelled incredible. Only thing I did was add a splash more wine and a pinch of rosemary.
This is basically my new go-to. Browning the beef was the difference for me too—so much deeper flavor. I also added a bit more garlic than the recipe says and it was still great.
I followed it pretty closely but mine didn’t get that “rich” thick vibe—more like broth. Next time I’ll maybe simmer uncovered longer. Still tasty though!
This is one of those recipes where the basics work. Flour coating + deglazing is key. I used cheap wine and it still came out flavorful.
45 minutes? Yeah, right! Took me over an hour but it was worth it in the end.
Yeah, it took me over an hour too! But I guess everyone cooks at their own pace. Glad it turned out tasty!
Yum! 😋
I don’t like cooking that much, but this was easy and delicious. Must try again!
Does anyone else think stew is just glorified soup? 🤔
I tried this recipe but it turned out too salty. I think I used too much beef broth? Going to try again with less broth next time.
Just throw in a bit of sugar or some vinegar next time. It helps balance out saltiness too! But yeah, def try less broth.
I think that’s a good idea! The broth can be really salty sometimes, especially if you use a brand that has added salt. Less broth should make it better!
Made this tonight—super comforting. The red wine definitely adds depth, and the beef browned nicely. I added a splash more broth because it looked a bit thick after simmering.
This stews ok but a bit bland for my taste. I prefer more spices. Also, I think I forgot the bay leaf! Oops!
I made this stew, but I used chicken instead of beef. It was still pretty good!
I don’t like using wine in cooking. Can I just skip that part?
Excellent! So easy to make, can’t believe it took only 45 mins! Will make again.
I don’t know, 45 mins seems too quick for stew. Is it really that good?
Right? I was shocked too! This recipe is a total lifesaver for busy nights. 😊
Meh. Not the best recipe I’ve tried, and I’ve made a lot of stews. More spices needed!
Well, I don’t know about this recipe. Didn’t look like the picture. Disappointed!
I’m sorry to hear that! Sometimes the stew doesn’t come out exactly like the picture, but it can still taste great! Have you checked your cooking time?
Honestly, it looked real good to me. Maybe you just need to try it again? Practice makes perfect, right?
Tasted great, but 30 minutes wasn’t enough for my beef cubes—maybe mine were bigger. I ended up going closer to 45 minutes. Still worth it.
Not sure about the 1-inch cubes. Mine stayed a touch chewy even after 30 minutes. Would probably parboil the potatoes/carrots or simmer longer.
Good catch. 1-inch can absolutely stay chewy in 30 minutes—I’d cut them a bit smaller or simmer closer to 45. Parboiling the potatoes/carrots is a smart fix too.
I think your cubes were just a little thick. I did 3/4 inch and it came out tender by 30. Also, make sure it’s a true low simmer the whole time, not just barely simmering.
Made this last night and it honestly hit the spot. The wine really adds depth—didn’t even need much extra seasoning. Mine took the full 30 min but the beef was tender.
I made something like this but used a dry white—didn’t taste as “deep.” Red wine seems to be the move. Thanks for confirming!
Love hearing that! The wine really does make it feel richer. Glad the beef turned out tender in your batch.
This stew is an absolute delight! My family couldn’t stop eating, thanks for the recipe!
Who knew making stew was so simple! Very impressed! Awesome!
Yum! Can’t believe I made it in just 45 mins. Going to make it again for sure!
I followed the steps pretty closely, but my stew was a little thin. Next time I’ll probably simmer uncovered a bit longer or add a touch more flour at the start.
That makes sense. Since it’s only 30 minutes covered, I’d try a longer uncovered simmer to reduce the liquid—your flour start idea should help too.
Too much wine for my taste! I couldn’t really taste anything else.
My stew was kinda bland. Next time I’ll add more seasoning.
I didn’t have thyme, so I put oregano instead. It still tasted nice. 🤷♀️
Oregano isn’t the same as thyme, but if it tasted good to you, that’s what matters! 👍
It’s fine, but why do you need the wine? Seems unnecessary. I substituted it with more broth, no big deal.
I think the wine adds a nice depth of flavor! But if you’re not into it, more broth works too. Just curious, did you notice a difference in taste?
Took me longer than 45 minutes, but worth the wait. Next time, I’ll try to chop faster. Where’s the bay leaf in the ingredients??
I totally get the longer prep time! Chopping can be a real pain, but that stew sounds amazing. The bay leaf is there; just make sure you take it out before serving. Yum! 🍲
The idea is solid, but the ingredient list is missing celery??? That’s stew law in my house. Otherwise it was okay.
I’m gonna be that person: I don’t always do celery. Carrots + onion already give it a lot of flavor. If I add anything, it’s celery salt at the end lol.
Omg yes—celery is non-negotiable in my stew too. I don’t know how they forgot it… What do you usually add, like 2 stalks?
Yum! My family loved it. I added a bit more garlic and used a different type of potato. So good!
I don’t see how extra garlic would make a stew taste better. Also, isn’t red wine supposed to be for fancy dinners? Whatever.
Glad to hear it! Garlic makes everything better. What type of potato did you use? I’m curious!
Yum! So warm and comforting! Perfect for a cold day. Will definitely make again!
I mean, it was okay but kinda bland. I think it needs more spices.
Yum! My kids loved helping chop the veggies! Will make again for sure! 😊
That sounds amazing! Cooking with kids is the best! 🥰 What other meals do you make together?
Way too much salt for me—idk if my broth was already seasoned, but I would start with less. Also bay leaf is easy to forget. Don’t skip removing it!
Totally agree on starting with less salt. I always taste the broth first before seasoning—especially if it’s store-bought. Great call on the bay leaf too!
This was a complete disaster! The beef didn’t cook properly and it was tough. Not making this again.
Did you follow the instructions? Sometimes people rush and the meat doesn’t come out right. Just saying!
I’m sorry to hear that! Maybe the beef wasn’t cooked long enough? Stews usually need extra time for tenderizing.
I thought the red wine would make it taste fancy but it was kinda sour? Could be the wine I used. Would use something drier next time.
Totally agree—red wine can swing the flavor a lot. If it tasted sour, it might’ve been a sweeter or more acidic wine. I’ve had better luck with a drier cab/merlot type or even just “cooking wine” that isn’t too sweet.
Hmm, I made this once and my wine tasted fine so I thought it should work… but mine was still kinda tangy too. Maybe I didn’t cook it long enough for the alcohol to mellow? Next time I’ll simmer a bit longer or use less wine.
So easy. 10/10 for weeknights. (Also the garlic + onion smell is unreal.)
I think it needs more vegetables! Maybe some peas would be good? Just a thought.
Not sure about using only 2 tbsp oil and 1/4 cup flour—mine browned, but it felt like not enough coating? Maybe I overpacked the bowl. Taste was okay, just not wow.
Savory goodness! I cooked it longer than 30 mins, and it was super tender. Love it
Quick and easy! But can I add mushrooms? I love shrooms!
I dunno about mushrooms in beef stew… it ain’t right. Stick to the recipe, it’s perfect as is!
Absolutely! Mushrooms would add a nice texture and flavor to the stew. Just chop them up and toss them in with the other veggies!
Good base recipe, but I think 1-inch cubes could vary. I had to simmer closer to 45 minutes for the beef to truly soften. Still tasty though!
Good point—cut size definitely changes cook time. I usually aim for more like 3/4-inch if I want it closer to 30 minutes, but 45 makes sense for 1-inch.
Easy recipe, but I messed up the meat. I couldn’t find good stew meat at the store so I used chicken. Still tasted good!
I don’t like beef. Can I use tofu instead? Asking for a friend.