There are foods that we expect to taste the same every time we eat them. That’s part of the attraction; they are foods we can depend on to make us feel a certain way. This recipe, however, is the revival of beef stew, a trusty old comfort food. And watch out, this is not your grandmother’s stew. This one is daring and bold with a flavor combination that sets it apart from the classic and sends it into the realm of legendary. A dish that you’ll want to make over and over because it will be hard to forget.
My mother used to make this stew for “company” and it has been in my family for 30 years so I am not sure where she originally got the recipe. It’s special enough for any family gathering but also remarkable enough to share with friends, guests, or “company” in the old-fashioned sense of the term. Serve with some crusty French bread and a full bodied red wine and wait to hear the symphony of “mmmmmm….!” 
Orange Cumin Beef Stew
- Total Time: 2 hours 0 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
The orange and cumin turn stew into a wonderful experience. A great dish to serve on a chilly Fall evening with friends.
Ingredients
- 3 lb (1 kilo 300 grams) chuck for stew, cut in 1 inch cubes
- canola oil
- 1/4 cup (59 ml) orange juice
- grated rind of 1 orange
- 1/2 cup (118 ml) beef broth
- 1 6-oz (170 grams) can tomato paste
- 1/4 cup (59 ml) red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- 4 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tsp allspice
- 8 oz (225 g) pearl onions
- 1 lb (450 grams) small mushrooms
- butter for sautéing
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Saute the beef in medium hot oil a few pieces at a time to brown each side.
- Transfer all the beef to a pot and add all the other ingredients except the onions, mushrooms, butter, salt and pepper.
- Simmer for about 1 1/2 hours over medium to low heat, covered or until the beef is tender.
- Saute the onions and mushrooms briefly in a bit of butter, then add them to the stew.
- Simmer again briefly.
- Add salt and pepper to taste, then serve.
Notes
- If you can find fresh pearl onions, boil them skin on for 4 minutes, then cut off the stem at root end and the skins will slip right off.
- Then you can sauté them for several minutes in butter before adding to the stew.
- Otherwise it’s OK to use frozen.
- If the sauce is too thin, add a bit of cornstarch dissolved in water.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 mins
- Category: Stew
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this beef stew use orange juice and orange zest instead of a classic broth base?
The ¼ cup of orange juice and zest of one orange work alongside the red wine vinegar and tomato paste to create a bold, tangy-sweet braising liquid that sets this stew apart from the classic. The recipe has been in the family for 30 years specifically for its daring flavor combination — the citrus brightens the richness of 3 lb of chuck without overpowering it.
What does the allspice and cumin combination do for the flavor?
The 4½ tsp of ground cumin provides an earthy, warm backbone while the 1½ tsp of allspice adds a subtle sweetness with hints of clove and cinnamon. Together with the oregano and garlic, they push this stew firmly out of traditional territory and into a more assertively spiced, near-North-African flavor profile.
How do I handle fresh pearl onions instead of frozen?
Boil the fresh pearl onions skin-on for 4 minutes, then cut off the stem end — the skins slip right off. After peeling, sauté them in butter for several minutes before adding to the stew. Frozen pearl onions are perfectly fine and skip this step entirely.
What’s the best fix if the sauce is too thin after simmering?
Stir a small amount of cornstarch dissolved in water into the simmering stew. The tomato paste already provides some body, but the cornstarch slurry lets you dial in the thickness without affecting the flavor.
This recipe is amazing- love the addition of mushrooms and onions right at the end which mellowed the favour perfectly. Was really nice served with turmeric rice- will be making again :)
Is the oregano in this recipe supposed to be fresh or dried? Ground or whole?
This is a wonderful stew! I will be making it again and again! Thank you so much for blessing us by sharing this recipe – it will HONESTLY become a family favourite. Good enough for when we get company :)
Yummm – sure to please and comfort – ans the baguette a great accompaniment!