Hearty Poblano Beef Stew Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

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The heartiest bowl of poblano beef stew!This stew is simple but loaded with oh somuch goodness. It’s warm, it’s cozy, it’sperfect for chili evenings!

Hearty Poblano Beef Stew Recipe | Little Spice Jar (1)
Big, hearty bowls of poblano beef stew need just one thing to make them extra perfect. I can’t get it off my mind!Especially when crusty bread is involved.

Nothing too fancy here, kids!

Just a warm and comforting bowl of the smokiest poblano and chipotle pepper beef stew that’ll give your regular old beef stew a run for it’s money. Just a little facelift and you know, get the family excited again about basic food again. ??????

What I want you to know is that this beef stew is loaded with the same goodness we like from a good stew recipe. It’s got the potatoes, check. And the tender chunks of beef, check. Also, the flavorful hearty broth, check. But what it also has is these deliciously smoky poblano peppers that add the heartiest depth of flavor. Also, cooking something for a couple of hours and making it taste like it’s been slow simmered all day.

Cheater meals are my favorite!

Hearty Poblano Beef Stew Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2)Hearty Poblano Beef Stew Recipe | Little Spice Jar (3)

Let’s talk ingredients.

This all starts with a 3 huge poblano peppers. It is a POBLANO beef stew, after all. We’ll need them infresh form and start by giving them a good roasting. You can do this on the stove or in the oven. Either way works. I usually use a pair of tongs and just let them roast for about 5 minutes on the stove. If you don’t have a gas stove though, this can be a little tricky.

The other option is broiling the poblano peppers in the oven. It’ll take about the same time and the flavor is the same either way. But it’s important not to skip this step because here we get a chance to add in that good old smokey flavor. Also, that skin needs to go! So we’ll char the peppers and then cover them and let them steam so the skin peels right off.

Once that’s done we’ll start on the stew.

Hearty Poblano Beef Stew Recipe | Little Spice Jar (4)Hearty Poblano Beef Stew Recipe | Little Spice Jar (5)Like any good stew recipe, you want to start this poblano beef stew by searing the meat. This allows the meat to really hold in all the juices and be tender when you bite into it. And thisreally is the difference between a meh stew, and a ?stew. You can use any type of ‘stewing meat’ for this recipe, I just usually use a beef chuck roast. A top round or a bottom round will also work. Remember, the size of the meat is also important. I used 1-inch cubes, which cooked up nice and tender in about 1-1 ½ hours. If your meat is cut into larger pieces, it’ll take a little longer to get tender.

Once you brown the meat, you want to use the same pot to sauté the onions and garlic. Please! Oh, please, whatever you do, don’t switch to a new pot! All that brown char that develops when you brown the beef is gold in this recipe. When you sweat the onions, it’ll start loosening up and coating them.

Flavor, flavor, flavor.

Hearty Poblano Beef Stew Recipe | Little Spice Jar (6)

Once you’ve got the onions and garlic sautéed off, this becomes a pretty straightforwardbeef stew recipe. I added in a chopped chipotle pepper with a couple tablespoons of adobo sauce along with the beef broth, a can of fire-roasted tomatoes, and some smoky cumin. The chipotle peppers just build more smokiness and might I add that the potatoes are totally more delicious when stewed in chipotle pepper speckled stew? This is optional though as the chipotle peppers do pack on a quite a bit of heat. If spicer food isn’t your thing, you can leave out the adobo sauce or use a little adobo and leave out the chipotle pepper. And if you prefer super spicy food, feel free to add in more chipotle peppers to your liking!

Iusually serve up poblano beef stew with lots of toasty, crusty bread. This time around the hubby requested garlic bread with the stew! Not that the stew needed additional garlic or anything. Just the way we do things round here. I used a little olive oil, and toasted the bread. When it was hot outta the oven, I gave it a good rub with a whole garlic clove, sprinkled on a little salt, and freshly chopped parsley. SO GOOD.

This is totally doable, even if you’ve never made beef stew before. Did I mention it’s the perfect weeknight or weekend dinner that’s totally satisfying and will keep you all warm and cozy?

IT WILL.

Hearty Poblano Beef Stew Recipe | Little Spice Jar (7)

Yield: 6-7 servings

Hearty Poblano Beef Stew

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time2 hours

Total Time2 hours 5 minutes

The heartiest bowl of poblano beef stew! This stew is simple but loaded with oh so much goodness. It's warm, it's cozy, it's perfect for chili evenings!

Hearty Poblano Beef Stew Recipe | Little Spice Jar (8)

Ingredients

  • 3 large poblano peppers
  • 1 ½ pounds beef chuck roast (cut into 1- inch cubes) (see notes)
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 4 cups beef or chicken broth
  • 1 chipotle pepper (plus 1-2 tablespoons adobo sauce (omit to make it less spicy)
  • 1 (15 ounce) can fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 2 medium potatoes, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 -3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. POBLANOS: Char the poblano peppers over an open flame for about 5 minutes, turning as necessary to char evenly. You can also broil them under the broiler in the oven for about 5-7 minutes turning a couple times until all the sides are charred. Place the peppers in a bowl and cover the bowl with foil or plastic wrap for 10-15 minutes. You can brown the meat for the stew while you wait. When the peppers are done, use a spoon to help scrape off the charred skin. Remove the stem, seeds, and ribs and discard. Dice the chilis into 1 inch pieces, set aside until ready to use in the stew.
  2. STEW: Heat the oil in a large dutch oven or stock pot over medium high heat. Sprinkle the beef with salt and pepper and brown in batches. Do not overcrowd the pot as the meat will steam rather than sear. Remove the browned beef to a plate.
  3. Add the onions and scrape the brown bits on the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Cook the onions for 3-5 minutes or until the start to turn translucent. Add the garlic, and cook for another 30 seconds before adding in the seared beef, poblano peppers, cumin, oregano, broth, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, and fire roasted tomatoes.
  4. Bring the stew to a boil before covering, lowering the heat, and allowing it to simmer for 1- 1 ½hours or until the beef is tender. Add the diced potatoes at this point and allow to cook for another 10-20 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked all the way through. Top with cilantro and serve with crusty bread.

Notes

  • You can use beef chuck roast//top round// bottom round for this recipe. Really, any kind of 'stewing meat' will be fine!

Have you made this recipe?

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Hearty Poblano Beef Stew Recipe | Little Spice Jar (9)

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Hearty Poblano Beef Stew Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good beef stew? ›

The best beef stews are made with the right cut of meat, like chuck roast, brisket or round. Leaner cuts (which are good for the grill) lack the connective tissue that turns into gelatin as it cooks. That keeps the meat juicy and tender while also thicken and enriching the stew.

What can I add to my beef stew to give it more flavor? ›

Add spices such as turmeric, coriander and cumin at the early stage of cooking, when you are frying onions and garlic, to enhance the taste of the beef stew. Fresh herbs like coriander and bay leaves also contribute a distinct flavour without making the dish too spicy for the younger members of the family.

What not to put in a stew? ›

But the liquid itself should not be thick in the same way that gravy is thick. So skip the roux, and don't bother dusting the meat with flour or cornstarch before browning, either, as some recipes will suggest. That will just interfere with getting a good sear on the meat, and gum up the stew with unneeded starch.

What is the most tender beef for stew? ›

Next time you're shopping for stew beef, look at your options and see what cuts of meat will work best for your recipe. For example, chuck is a lean and tender cut of beef that works well in stew. However, if you would prefer a thicker and more flavorful stew, short ribs or oxtail may be better choices for you.

Why do you put vinegar in beef stew? ›

Add vinegar when putting the meat in the pot after browning (Maillard reaction). Add spices at this time. Tough stew meat will take a couple of hours to get tender, and the vinegar helps this happen as well as add special flavor.

Why put vinegar in stews? ›

Vinegar can add depth of flavour to soups, sauces, and stews. Especially great for tomato-based recipes, you can add a couple of tablespoons of vinegar towards the end of the cooking process to amplify the flavours of your other ingredients.

How do you deepen beef stew flavor? ›

Getting a more beefy beef stew
  1. Mushrooms (Crimini, sh*take, Lions Mane, etc.), browned beforehand.
  2. Dried mushrooms.
  3. Caramelized onions.
  4. Roasted garlic.
  5. Deglaze your pan (since you don't use wine, deglaze with broth)
Oct 23, 2023

How do you make stew taste richer? ›

If so here are some tips for making your stews tasty and have your family begging you for more!
  1. Choose your ingredients wisely. ...
  2. Start off with a good flavour base. ...
  3. Add vegetables. ...
  4. Add flavourings to taste. ...
  5. Add Herbs and/or Spices. ...
  6. Spices: (Optional) ...
  7. Add stock or wine/beer. ...
  8. Add thickeners.

How do you add depth of flavour to stew? ›

Dried mushrooms in a stew can add lots of depth of flavour. I soak them first and add the liquid too. 11. Whole spices like cinnamon, star anise or cloves are great added to a stew if you want your dish to have a warm, spicy flavour in a middle eastern style.

When should celery be added to stew? ›

Once the meat is tender - but not falling apart, add the potatoes, celery, carrots and butternut squash. Pour over another 2 cups of beef broth and enough water to cover the vegetables. Raise heat and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer partially covered for about 30 minutes - until the vegetables are tender.

Should beef stew be thick or soupy? ›

Part of what makes a stew a stew and not a soup is the mixture's thickness and the chunks of ingredients. The liquid suspending the chunky ingredients in a stew should be more of a gravy than a watery dish.

Does beef stew need tomato paste? ›

Do you need tomato paste for beef stew? We recommend using tomato paste for this recipe. Tomato paste adds crucial flavor and body to the stew meat when cooked with herbs, garlic and wine.

Which potatoes are best for beef stew? ›

Red potatoes are the standard I've seen used in most beef stews. Yes, they hold up fine, and, along with carrots and celery, add a bit of needed color in an otherwise drab dish.

What is the most flavorful meat for stew? ›

The best cuts of stew meat are lean with a high concentration of collagen-rich connective tissues—such as chuck or shoulder cuts—that also have some fat marbling for flavor. Lean cuts of meat come from parts of the animal that have lots of muscle, like the legs.

Does beef get more tender the longer you stew it? ›

It is a tough muscular meat. Longer cooking time at a lower temperature, especially in liquid can make it tender. Longer cooking time + low heat = tender meat. Pat the meat dry and brown it in the kettle you'll be using before adding the other ingredients to start the slow cooking.

How to make beef stew meat tender and juicy? ›

What is the best way to make beef stew meat tender and juicy? If you want to prepare beef stew meat that is both tender and juicy, the best way to cook it is by searing it on all sides in a hot skillet and then crumbling it on top of a lightly browned roux sauce for about 10 minutes.

What is the basic stew formula? ›

The Ideal Stew Ratio: Two Parts Meat, One Part Vegetable

Most meat-based stews call for tough, inexpensive cuts of meat, while vegetarian recipes include the same onions, carrots, and celery typical of a beef stew. Two parts meat to one part vegetables is the perfect ratio for a meaty stew.

What does red wine vinegar do to beef stew? ›

Vinegar & optional red wine - Use red wine vinegar and some red wine to give this stew a deep and rich sweet and savory flavor. The wine is optional and can be replaced with additional beef broth, but I do love the complexity it gives to this recipe.

Can I use red wine vinegar instead of red wine in beef stew? ›

The Best Substitute for Red Wine

Alcohol-free red wine. Beef broth. Chicken broth. Red wine vinegar (use ½ vinegar and ½ water for similar flavor results)

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