Ground Beef Stew 

This hearty, soul warming dish combines tender ground beef, chunky vegetables, and a rich, savory broth that'll make your taste buds do a happy dance. It's perfect for cozy nights and is made even better when prepared in a Dutch oven, ensuring even heat distribution and moisture retention.

Full Recipe:  

Ingredients

• Beef: 1 pound ground beef (85/15 blend preferred)

• Aromatics:

  • 1 large yellow onion, diced

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

• Vegetables:

  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced

  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

  • 2 celery stalks, diced

  • 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

• Broth:

  • 4 cups low sodium beef broth

• Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1 bay leaf

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• Fats:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil

Directions

1. Prepare the Ingredients:

   • Dice the onion, mince the garlic, peel and slice the carrots, peel and dice the potatoes, dice the celery, and trim and cut the green beans into 1-inch pieces.

2. Brown the Ground Beef:

   • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

   • Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon.

   • Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

   • Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.

3. Sauté the Aromatics:

   • In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of oil.

   • Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

   • Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Combine and Simmer:

   • Return the browned ground beef to the pot.

   • Add the sliced carrots, diced potatoes, diced celery, and green beans.

   • Pour in the beef broth and stir to combine.

   • Add the dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.

   • Bring the mixture to a boil.

   • Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

5. Final Seasoning:

   • Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

   • Remove and discard the bay leaf before serving.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

• Calories: Approximately 350 kcal

• Protein: 25g

• Fat: 20g

• Carbohydrates: 25g

• Fiber: 4g

• Sodium: 800mg