A hearty Dutch oven beef stew is comfort food at its finest! Seared beef is combined with smoky bacon, creamy potatoes and mushrooms in a rich red wine broth. The stew simmers for hours until incredibly tender, making it the perfect recipe to enjoy on a cooler evening.
Step 1: In a large Dutch oven, drizzle with olive oil and place on medium heat. Add bacon and cook until the fat renders and bacon is crispy, then set aside.
Step 3: Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, garlic and fresh oregano. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
Step 6: Bring the beef stew to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Place the cover on, leaving a small opening and cook for 3 hours, or until meat and potatoes are tender.
Step 7: Once done, remove the bay leaves and discard and taste for seasoning. Ladle the beef stew into wide bowls and garnish with additional fresh oregano.