Turn 2 Pounds Of Ground Beef Into A Hearty And Customizable Beef Stew

As the weather cools, it's time to take out your Dutch ovens, crock pots, and favorite stew recipes to warm your home and dinner table. With just a couple of pounds of ground beef, you're well on your way to creating a cozy dish that's as simple as it is satisfying. With 15 minutes of prepping and about 25 minutes of cooking, Tasting Table's recipe for comforting ground beef stew with leeks makes a mouthwatering meal in under an hour that serves up to eight people.

The main ingredients include ground beef, leeks, baby potatoes, canned diced tomatoes, and chicken stock, accented with dried herbs and lemon juice. Frying the spices, meat, and leeks separately takes a matter of minutes each. Combining everything to simmer makes up the bulk of the cooking time at around 20 to 30 minutes, making this an easy process. It also allows you to get creative with ingredient additions, swaps, and more. 

You can change up your ground beef for other ground meats, add in carrots or celery, wilt spinach during the end stages of cooking for even more nutritional value, or try a different style of potato if you wish. However you choose to make this stew, let your own taste preferences lead the way.

Among the many ingredients that add flavor to beef stew, fresh herbs, aromatics, and vegetables are ideal. While Tasting Table's directions call for salt, freshly cracked pepper, dried thyme, and smoked paprika, you don't have to stop there. Try including a bundle of fresh, savory herbs for a lighter herbal presence that effortlessly permeates your stew. Turn up the heat with extra spices such as crushed red chili flakes or cayenne pepper.

To bulk up the protein in your ground beef stew, add canned legumes such as lentils or beans. Pureed canned white beans are excellent for thickening stews while adding protein and fiber. For those who don't eat meat, you can also create a vegetarian-friendly version of this stew. Swap chicken stock for umami vegetable stock and use plant-based meatless crumbles instead of beef. Add mushrooms to the stew to enhance the texture and nutrients as well as the overall umami flavor profile. 

While Tasting Table's original recipe calls for a topping of grated Parmesan cheese, you can swap in your favorite dairy-free variety. Serve your stew on its own or alongside pasta or rice for a meal that stretches further. This versatile recipe will easily become a favorite.