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The secret to making a truly remarkable beef stew is all in the Beef Stew Seasoning! Forget the store-bought packets of stew mix: this seasoning for beef stew combines an easy blend of dried seasonings and spices for the perfect balance of flavor. Use it for stews, stroganoff beef, roasted vegetables, or even to season pot pies!
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Homemade Beef Stew Seasoning
When my kids were growing up, all of them had extra-curricular activities. This meant our whole family was as busy as could be, and I was often running around trying to keep track of everything with very little time to consider what I would make for dinner!
One of my favorite go-to recipes for those busy nights was, and still is, a classic beef stew recipe. You could set it in the morning in the slow cooker or dutch oven, then have it ready by evening without having to put in as much work as you would for other recipes. Best of all, it's one of everyone's favorite comfort foods, so it's even better after a long day!
The secret to taking a beef stew from ordinary to extraordinary is all in the beef stew spices. By making your own homemade beef stew seasoning mix, you can have it on hand for whenever you want to quickly prep your favorite stew. And, you can completely customize it to your liking!
Let me share my favorite seasonings for beef stew with you, and I know you will want to use it every time.
Beef Stew Seasoning Ingredients
- Paprika
- Ground black pepper
- Garlic granules (or garlic powder)
- Chili flakes
- Ground basil
- Celery salt
- Kosher salt (or Maldon sea salt flakes)
Unlike seasoning packets you may find at the store, my seasoning mix does not include a thickener such as flour or xanthan gum. This means you can keep the stew gluten-free and leave out any unwanted thickeners.
If you make stew with this mix and find that it needs some thickening after cooking to get it to your desired thickness, simply mix 1 Tablespoon of the stew broth with half a Tablespoon of cornstarch. Mix the cornstarch slurry back into your stew, and you should see it thicken. This method also avoids wheat gluten, so you can keep it gluten-free if necessary.
How to Make Beef Stew Seasoning
- Add paprika, ground black pepper, garlic granules, chili flakes, ground basil, celery salt, and kosher salt to a bowl according to the measurements in the recipe card below.
- Mix until completely combined. Store, or use immediately as seasoning for your favorite beef stew recipe.
How to Store Homemade Stew Seasoning
Store leftover seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place where you store your other seasonings. If properly stored, it can last indefinitely.
Tips for Using Beef Stew Seasoning
- For best results, sear your stew meat on all sides to brown it before cooking your stew. I like to do this in the same pot, as the browned bits at the bottom of the pot add so much flavor to the stew base. But, if you're making stew in a slow cooker, sear it in a pan first before adding to the pot.
- Pair this seasoning mix with fresh herbs, garlic, and diced onions for the best possible flavor. I personally love using fresh rosemary and thyme in my stew recipes.
- Adjust the amount of chili flakes and pepper to taste, according to your desired spice level.
What to Make with Homemade Beef Stew Mix
FAQ for Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
Use 2 to 3 Tablespoons of beef stew seasoning per 1 pound of stew meat. Generously season the meat by tossing it in the seasoning.
Generally, you can find beef stew meat labeled specifically as beef for stew at your local grocery store, already cut into chunks to use. Look for chuck roast beef. You can also use another protein, such as pork, as a replacement for beef if you would prefer. Look for pork butt or pork shoulder, as these are the best for stew.
This homemade beef stew seasoning mix adds plenty of flavor, but if you want to amp it up even further, make sure to use fresh ingredients like garlic, onions, and cut-up fresh vegetables cooked with the meat in your stew. Good options are celery, carrots, and potatoes. Make sure to sear coat beef in the stew seasoning and sear it on all sides until browned before cooking the stew itself, as this will add a ton of flavor to the finished dish.
📋 Recipe
Beef Stew Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons paprika
- 2 Tablespoons ground black pepper
- 1.5 Tablespoons garlic granules or garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon ground basil
- 2 teaspoons celery salt
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt or Maldon sea salt flakes
See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!
Instructions
- Add paprika, ground black pepper, garlic granules, chili flakes, ground basil, celery salt, and kosher salt to a bowl according to the measurements in the recipe card below.2 Tablespoons paprika, 2 Tablespoons ground black pepper, 1.5 Tablespoons garlic granules, 1 Tablespoon onion powder, 1 Tablespoon chili flakes, 1 teaspoon ground basil, 2 teaspoons celery salt, 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
- Mix until completely combined. Store, or use immediately as seasoning for your favorite beef stew recipe.
Notes
- For best results, sear your stew meat on all sides to brown it before cooking your stew. I like to do this in the same pot, as the browned bits at the bottom of the pot add so much flavor to the stew base. But, if you're making stew in a slow cooker, sear it in a pan first before adding to the pot.
- Pair this seasoning mix with fresh herbs, garlic, and diced onions for the best possible flavor. I personally love using fresh rosemary and thyme in my stew recipes.
- Adjust the amount of chili flakes and pepper to taste, according to your desired spice level.
Nutrition
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