January on Lake Norman is quiet, the water flat and gray and the docks mostly empty, and the cold has a way of settling in if you let it. This is the kind of stew you put on before you even sit down, something that cooks slow while the house stays warm and still. The onions soften, the beef browns just right, and somebody says it needs time, because down here you don’t rush what’s meant to comfort you. By the time it’s ready, the chill stays outside, bowls are filled good and full, and the leftovers the next day taste even better, the way January food ought to.🥘
January Classic: Beef & Root Vegetable Stew
This is the kind of meal that tastes even better the next day and makes the house smell incredible.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into large cubes
- Salt & black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup dry red wine (optional but recommended)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 3 carrots, thick slices
- 2 parsnips, thick slices (or more carrots)
- 2 potatoes, large chunks
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 bay leaf
- Optional: 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Season & Brown the Beef
Pat beef dry, season well with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a heavy pot (Dutch oven ideal) over medium-high. Brown beef in batches—don’t crowd. Remove and set aside.
- Build the Base
Lower heat to medium. Add onion to the pot with a pinch of salt. Cook until soft and lightly golden, about 5–7 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook 1–2 minutes until deep red and fragrant.
- Deglaze
Pour in red wine, scraping up all the browned bits. Simmer 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Simmer
Return beef to pot. Add broth, thyme, bay leaf, and Worcestershire if using. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook low for 1½ hours.
- Add Vegetables
Add carrots, parsnips, and potatoes. Cover and simmer another 45 minutes, until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
- Finish & Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove thyme stems and bay leaf.
How to Serve
- With crusty bread or buttered sourdough
- Over mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles
- Even better the next day
January Upgrade Options
- Add mushrooms with the onions
- Stir in a spoon of whole-grain mustard at the end
- Finish with chopped parsley for freshness
If you want, I can give you:
- A slow cooker version
- A budget January recipe
- A vegetarian winter dish
- Or something cozy but faster for weeknights
