A pot of beef stew gently bubbling away on the hob or nestled in the oven on a cold afternoon is a wonderful thing. For many of us home cooks, it’s the sort of dish that transports us straight back to childhood – the smell of herbs filling the house, windows lightly misted, and that promise of a hearty, warming bowl waiting at the end of the day. Budget Beef Stew captures all of that nostalgia while being kind to your purse, proving that flavour and being money wise can go hand in hand.
One of the best things about a budget-friendly stew is its flexibility. It doesn’t demand expensive cuts of meat or fiddly preparation. Instead, it thrives on the parts of beef that supermarkets often label as “stewing beef,” “braising beef,” or “shoulder.” These cuts may be tougher initially, but give them time and gentle heat and they transform into melt-in-the-mouth softness. Long, slow cooking works its magic and draws out rich beefiness that forms the soul of the stew. And let’s not forget the added bonus: while it simmers away, your kitchen becomes cosy and warm – almost like an unofficial heating system on cold days.
What really makes this stew shine, though, is the parade of vegetables that go into it. Chopped parsnips bring sweetness and depth, adding a mellow earthiness that only intensifies as they soften. Celery contributes savoury undertones while carrots provide colour and a hint of natural sweetness. Frozen peas – one of the best budget staples around – are stirred in toward the end, bringing little pops of green freshness and a cheerful brightness to the pot. Tinned chopped tomatoes round everything off with a gentle tang and help build a rich, flavourful base.
Herbs also play their part effortlessly. Bay leaves, thyme, parsley or even a little rosemary can be added depending on what you have to hand. There’s no need for anything fancy; the slow cooking extracts every ounce of flavour, weaving together the meat, vegetables and broth into a perfectly balanced dish. You don’t need expensive wines or special seasonings – just patience and the confidence that simple ingredients can do remarkable things.
What I love most about this sort of stew is its adaptability. You can bulk it out further with potatoes if you want a one-pot meal, or omit them and serve it over mash or with bread for dipping. You can stretch leftovers into lunches for the next couple of days or freeze portions for effortless future meals. It’s the sort of dish that really respects your time and budget while giving you a home-cooked feast.
Speaking of feasts, Budget Beef Stew has a long list of side dishes that pair beautifully with it. Here are some of the most popular and suitable options:
Popular Side Dishes for Budget Beef Stew
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Fluffy white rice
- Buttered egg noodles
- Steamed greens such as cabbage, broccoli or green beans
- Crisp oven-baked jacket potatoes
- Warm crusty bread or baguette slices
- Yorkshire puddings for a hearty treat
- Cauliflower mash for a lighter alternative
- Herb dumplings (if you enjoy something soft and comforting on top)
- Simple garden salad to add freshness
- Garlic bread for an indulgent twist
All of these sides help soak up that rich, savoury gravy and turn a humble bowl of stew into a complete meal.
In a time when many of us are watching our household budgets a little more closely, dishes like Budget Beef Stew remind us that home cooking doesn’t need to be expensive to be delicious. Using simple ingredients, cheaper cuts of beef, and a bit of slow cooking, you can create something nourishing, satisfying and wonderfully flavourful. It warms your hands, your belly and your home – and it might even warm your heart a little too.
Whether you serve it with mash, bread or noodles, Budget Beef Stew remains one of those timeless dishes that proves the best meals are often the most humble. Enjoy every spoonful.
Budget Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 800 g stewing beef or braising beefcut into chunks
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 large carrots chopped
- 2 large parsnips chopped
- 2 sticks celery sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 400 g chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 leaves bay
- 750 ml beef stock
- 150 g frozen peas
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches and brown on all sides.2 tbsp vegetable oil, 800 g stewing beef
- Remove and set aside.
- Add the onion, carrots, parsnips and celery to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until they begin to soften.1 large onion, 2 large carrots, 2 large parsnips, 2 sticks celery
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.2 cloves garlic
- Add the beef back to the pot along with the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, thyme and bay leaves.400 g chopped tomatoes, 1 tbsp tomato purée, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 leaves bay
- Season lightly.salt, black pepper
- Pour in the beef stock, stir, and bring to a simmer.750 ml beef stock
- Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid and cook for 2½–3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender.
Oven Cooked:
- Alternatively, place the covered pot in the oven at 150°C (300°F) for the same length of time.*
- Stir in the frozen peas during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving your tasty budget beef stew.150 g frozen peas
22 comments
Good value#
Simple, quick and very tasty.
Great recipe, simple ingredients and loads of taste.
Perfect comfort food for cold evenings.
Amazing dish, even better the next day for lunch.
The beef turned out incredibly tender and the vegetables added so much natural sweetness.
My kids ate every bit, which is rare—highly recommend.
My family couldn’t believe this was made with cheap cuts of beef.
A real winter warmer, and the whole house smelled amazing while it cooked.
The peas added a lovely burst of colour and freshness at the end.
Rich, flavourful and comforting—exactly what a beef stew should be.
Delicious, hearty stew that’s perfect for stretching the budget without sacrificing flavour.
Such good value for money and packed full of vegetables.
Slow cooking really made the beef melt in the mouth.
Definitely making this again, the flavours were spot on.
Loved how easy this was to make—set it going and let it do its thing!
I added extra parsnips and it made the stew even richer—brilliant recipe.
A wholesome, filling and very affordable meal.
One of the easiest stews I’ve ever made and one of the tastiest.
Perfect with mashed potatoes, the sauce soaked in beautifully.
Beautifully tender meat and a gorgeously thick sauce.
Great use of budget ingredients but tastes like something from a restaurant.