National Dish Netherlands: Beef Stew (Recipe)
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There is nothing quite like a bowl of Dutch beef stew to chase away the chill of a grey winter’s day. Known at home as runderstoofpot, this hearty one-pot dish slowly braises tender beef with sweet carrots, onions and a handful of warming herbs until everything is rich and meltingly soft. It is honest, unfussy comfort food at its very best, and every spoonful carries the homely flavours of the Dutch kitchen straight to your table. Serve it with creamy mashed potato or a hunk of crusty bread and settle in.
About Beef Stew
Beef stew is a traditional Dutch dish prepared with plenty of care and the right technique. It is especially popular during the colder months, when its slow-cooked warmth offers both comfort and a deeply satisfying, hearty meal. The combination of tender beef, fresh vegetables and a handful of well-chosen spices creates a flavour you will not soon forget. Every spoonful brings the homely aromas of Dutch cooking directly to the table, much like a steaming plate of Hachee.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 500 g beef (such as shoulder or leg)
- 2 large carrots, sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 300 ml beef stock
- 1 tablespoon tomato purée
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons oil, for searing
Shopping for the ingredients
To make an authentic and flavoursome beef stew, it pays to choose good-quality ingredients. Visit your local butcher for fresh beef that is well suited to long, slow braising. Picking up fresh vegetables such as carrots and onions ensures your stew is packed with flavour. Don’t forget the spices and stock either, as they are essential to building the depth of the dish.
Preparing the dish
A little preparation goes a long way towards a perfect beef stew. Begin by cutting the beef into evenly sized pieces so it cooks through uniformly. The vegetables deserve the same attention: slice the carrots thinly and dice the onion into small, even cubes. Good groundwork keeps the cooking process smooth and lets all the flavours come through at their best.
Step-by-step instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot and sear the beef cubes in batches over a high heat until well browned.
- Remove the meat from the pot, then add the onions and garlic. Sauté until the onions turn translucent.
- Return the meat to the pot along with the carrots, the tomato purée and the bay leaf. Stir well.
- Pour over the beef stock and bring everything to the boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for at least 2 hours.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
Beef stew is easy to prepare in a gluten-free and lactose-free version. Simply use gluten-free stock and check that the oil and spices you choose contain no hidden gluten or lactose. Most of the fresh ingredients are naturally free of allergens, so you can rest assured that your stew suits everyone at the table.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
For a vegan or vegetarian take on beef stew, swap the beef for plant-based protein such as seitan or tofu. Use vegetable stock as the base and add extra vegetables and pulses to create a rich and filling meal. The searing and braising steps stay much the same, so you can still build plenty of flavour. This variation gives a creative new twist to a classic dish, in the spirit of a wholesome Stamppot Andijvie.
More tips and tricks
To deepen the flavour of your beef stew, try adding a range of herbs such as thyme or parsley. It is also well worth letting the stew rest overnight in the fridge, as the flavours grow even richer. Always serve the dish piping hot and round it off with a side to complete the experience. A scattering of fresh herbs at the table adds a welcome splash of colour too.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
The beauty of beef stew lies in its versatility. Depending on what you fancy, you can vary the vegetables and add celery or potatoes, for example. For an extra layer of depth, stir a splash of red wine into the stock. The dish is also brilliant for using up leftovers, so make the most of whatever the fridge has to offer and keep things interesting from one week to the next.
Ingredient substitutions
If you have no beef stock to hand, you can use chicken stock or vegetable stock instead, the latter being a particularly good choice for a vegetarian version. The vegetables are flexible too: courgette or green beans make a fine addition. If you are not keen on tomato purée, fresh or passata tomatoes will do the job nicely. Simply experiment with the ingredients to suit your own taste, as you might with a comforting bowl of Hutspot.
Drink pairing ideas
A hearty beef stew goes beautifully with red wines that echo the deep flavour of the dish. A dry Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon makes an excellent companion. For alcohol-free options, fruit juices or a homemade lemonade offer a refreshing contrast to the robust flavour. Even a simple sparkling mineral water works well, letting the aromas of the stew take centre stage.
Serving and presentation ideas
To serve beef stew at its most appealing, reach for a rustic bowl that reflects the heart of Dutch home cooking. Garnished with fresh herbs, the dish gains both in flavour and in looks. Set out a few kinds of crusty bread alongside to complete the feast. A pretty table setting helps create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the meal.
A bit of history
Beef stew is an old Dutch dish with deep roots in country cooking. Traditionally it was made during the cold months to provide families with a nourishing and warming meal. This style of slow braising is wonderfully efficient and has been used for centuries to coax the very best flavours out of simple ingredients. In this way beef stew has held on to its popularity across the generations and remains a cherished part of Dutch cuisine to this day.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Beef Stew
Beef stew delights not only with its aromatic, hearty flavour but also with the sheer range of ingredients and variations it allows. Whether as a classic beef dish or in a vegan version, the possibilities are almost endless. This traditional Dutch dish, with its simple preparation and deep flavours, is sure to become a firm favourite for cold days. Enjoy your beef stew over a cosy meal with friends and family.
