Description
Australian Busters is a hearty and comforting beef stew featuring tender beef chuck simmered with vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and green peas in a flavorful broth enriched with Worcestershire sauce and smoked paprika. Perfect for a satisfying main course, this stew exemplifies classic Aussie home cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Broth
- 1 lb beef chuck, cut into cubes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
Seasonings and Others
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the beef cubes and brown them evenly on all sides to develop rich flavor, then remove the beef and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add diced onion and minced garlic; cook for about 3 minutes until softened and fragrant, ensuring not to burn the garlic.
- Add Tomato Paste and Return Beef: Stir in the tomato paste, cooking briefly to deepen its flavor, then add the browned beef cubes back into the pot, mixing well.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to season the stew thoroughly.
- Add Vegetables and Simmer: Add the sliced carrots and diced potatoes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, cover with a lid, and cook on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Finish with Peas: Stir in the green peas and continue cooking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to heat through without overcooking them.
- Optional Thickening: If you prefer a thicker stew, add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and stir continuously until the sauce thickens to your liking.
- Serve: Serve the stew hot, enjoyed on its own or accompanied by crusty bread or mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
Notes
- This dish resembles a classic Australian beef stew and pairs well with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.
- For an extra depth of flavor, add a splash of red wine along with the beef broth before simmering.
- To maintain gluten-free status, ensure you use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and cornstarch.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day after flavors have melded.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
