Slow-Braised Beef Stew with Olives & Mashed Potatoes

🍲 Description

This comforting dish features tender chunks of slow-braised beef simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce with red onions and green olives, served over smooth, creamy mashed potatoes. Deeply flavorful and hearty, it is perfect for a cozy dinner or a classic home-style meal.

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⏱️ Time Required

• Preparation time: 20 minutes

• Cooking time: 2–2.5 hours

• Total time: About 2 hours 45 minutes

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🧾 Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Beef Stew

• 800 g beef chuck or beef shin, cut into large cubes

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 large red onion, roughly chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 cup crushed tomatoes

• 1 cup beef stock

• 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

• Salt, to taste

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)

• 1/2 cup green olives (pitted)

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For the Mashed Potatoes

• 700 g potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

• 3 tablespoons butter

• 1/3 cup warm milk or cream

• Salt, to taste

• Black pepper, to taste

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Garnish (Optional)

• Fresh thyme sprigs

• Extra olive oil for drizzling

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👨‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Heat olive oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Season the beef with salt and pepper.
Brown the beef in batches until deeply golden on all sides. Remove and set aside.

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Step 2: Build the Sauce

In the same pot, add the chopped red onion and cook until softened and slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes.
Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavor.

Deglaze the pot with red wine (if using), scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.

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Step 3: Braise the Stew

Return the beef to the pot.
Add crushed tomatoes, beef stock, smoked paprika, bay leaf, and thyme.
Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 2–2.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is very tender.

About 15 minutes before the end of cooking, add the green olives and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

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Step 4: Make the Mashed Potatoes

While the stew is finishing, boil the potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 15–20 minutes.
Drain well and mash until smooth.
Stir in butter and warm milk.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

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Step 5: Serve

Spoon a generous portion of mashed potatoes into bowls.
Top with the braised beef stew and rich sauce.
Garnish with fresh thyme and a light drizzle of olive oil if desired.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Serve with crusty bread to soak up the sauce

• Pair with a full-bodied red wine

• Ideal for cold weather or make-ahead meals

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🥩 Nutrition Highlights (Approximate per serving)

• High in protein

• Rich, satisfying comfort food

• Slow-cooked for deep flavor and tenderness