Hearty Beef and Onion Stew with Cheesy Baguette Toasts

This stick-to-your-ribs stew combines tender braised beef, sweet caramelized onions and hearty vegetables in a savory broth. The secret is slowly cooking the onions with butter and thyme until they’re deeply golden, then simmering everything together with Worcestershire sauce for an umami boost.

Serve it family-style or in individual bowls, topped with crispy baguette slices smothered in melted Swiss cheese. Each spoonful is pure comfort and the cheesy toasts are perfect for dipping.

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Ingredients

12 ounce PotatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Dried ThymeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

16 ounce Beef for BraisingView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 unit Beef Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Worcestershire SauceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

9 ounce CarrotView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon FlourView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 slice Swiss CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Garlic PowderView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Demi-BaguetteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon (tsp) SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon (tbsp) ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry all produce. Halve, peel and thinly slice the onions. Dice the potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Trim, peel and cut the carrots on a diagonal into 1-inch-thick pieces.
2. Open the package of beef and drain off any excess liquid. In a medium bowl, combine the beef, flour and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to coat. Heat a large drizzle of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the coated beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 4-5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to the bowl used for seasoning. Wash out the bowl.
3. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in the same pot over medium heat. Add the onions and 1/4 cup water; cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and softened, 8-10 minutes. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the garlic powder, thyme, 2 teaspoons sugar and a splash of water; cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, 2-3 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Add the beef, potatoes and carrots to the pot with the onions. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Add the Worcestershire sauce, beef stock concentrates and 5 cups water. Stir to combine.
5. Bring the stew to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook until the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, stirring halfway through, 40-45 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. While the stew cooks, adjust an oven rack to the top position and heat the broiler to high. Cut each baguette crosswise into 8 rounds (16 total). Cut each Swiss cheese slice into 4 squares (16 total). Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and top each with one cheese square. Broil on the top rack until the cheese has melted and is lightly browned, 2-3 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
7. Serve the stew family-style or divide among bowls. Top with the cheesy toasts or serve them on the side for dipping.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes, chuck or round steak work well. Just cut into bite-sized pieces and adjust cooking time as needed.

Can I make this stew in a slow cooker?

Absolutely. Brown the beef and caramelize the onions on the stovetop first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

How do I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.