Make the most flavorful beef stew with this easy homemade Beef Stew Seasoning! This blend of nine simple herbs and spices can be mixed in minutes and stored in the pantry for up to six months. Use it to season a classic beef stew in the oven or slow cooker for a comforting, cozy meal.
Table of contents
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- How to make beef stew in the oven
- Recipe notes
- More homemade seasonings
Add this seasoning to your pantry staples — it elevates a traditional beef stew with minimal effort. Store the mix in an airtight jar, and you’ll always have a flavorful shortcut ready when you want a hearty pot of stew. Unlike many commercial seasoning packets, this homemade blend contains only natural dried herbs and spices, with no fillers or artificial flavors.
Ingredients
For convenience, the exact ingredient amounts are included in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Garlic powder (or granulated garlic) – granulated garlic is coarser than garlic powder and less likely to clump, so it’s a good choice for mixes stored long-term.
- Onion powder (or granulated onion) – granulated onion behaves similarly to granulated garlic and resists clumping better than finely ground powder.
- Sea salt (or kosher salt) – both work interchangeably. Coarser salts like sea or kosher add texture and a clean, bright saltiness.
- Black pepper – freshly ground black pepper brings warm, peppery notes with subtle citrus and pine undertones.
- Paprika – use sweet paprika for color and mild warmth; swap smoked paprika if you prefer a smoky character.
- Dried thyme – thyme adds a light, lemony, herbaceous brightness that lifts richer flavors in the stew.
- Dried oregano – oregano contributes an earthy, slightly peppery aroma that complements the other herbs.
- Dried rosemary – rosemary brings a robust, woodsy depth that pairs especially well with beef, garlic, and thyme.
- Celery seed – a concentrated celery flavor without needing fresh celery; it adds a savory, aromatic note to the mix.
Instructions
- Measure and combine all ingredients in a small bowl until evenly blended.
- Transfer the seasoning to an airtight container or jar and store in a cool, dry pantry for up to six months.
That’s it — a versatile seasoning blend ready in five minutes or less.
How to make beef stew in the oven
Use this seasoning to make a classic oven-braised beef stew. The method below delivers tender meat and a rich, savory broth. Adjust vegetables and herbs to taste.
- Cut 2 pounds of beef chuck into 1-inch cubes. Toss the beef with 2 tablespoons of the beef stew seasoning and let it sit briefly while you heat the pan.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the seasoned beef pieces until browned on all sides, then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pot, then cook 1 cup diced onion and 1 cup diced celery for about 5 minutes, until softened. Stir in 3 cloves minced garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Pour in 1/4 cup beef broth and scrape the pot to deglaze, loosening browned bits from the bottom.
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup flour over the vegetables and stir to combine; cook 1 minute. Gradually stir in 5 3/4 cups beef broth, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Bring the liquid to a boil on the stovetop.
- Return the seared beef to the pot and add 1 pound cubed potatoes (or baby potatoes), 1 cup peeled and chopped carrots, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, and 2 bay leaves.
- Cover the pot and transfer to a preheated oven set to 325°F (160°C). Braise for about 2 hours, until beef is fork-tender. Remove herb sprigs and bay leaves before serving.
This seasoning also works beautifully in Irish-style stews, slow-cooker versions, or any soup and stew where you want a deep, savory herb blend.
Recipe notes
- Yield: This recipe makes about 9 tablespoons of seasoning.
- Scaling: To make a larger batch, double the ingredients and store in a larger jar. Label with the date and use within six months for best flavor.
- Usage guideline: Use approximately 1 tablespoon of seasoning per pound of meat when making beef stew; adjust to taste.
- Storage: Keep the mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry pantry. Spices don’t spoil but will gradually lose potency over time.
- Dietary notes: This blend is naturally gluten free and contains no added sugar, so it fits well into Whole30 and keto meal plans.
- Variations: Swap smoked paprika for a smoky profile or increase rosemary for a woodier herb character. Omit celery seed if you prefer fresh celery in the stew.
More homemade seasonings
Build a pantry of homemade spice blends to add depth and flavor to every meal. Popular blends to try alongside this beef stew seasoning include:
Pork Chop Seasoning
Meatloaf Seasoning
Montreal Steak Seasoning
Fry Seasoning
Enchilada Seasoning
Fajita Seasoning
Beef Stew Seasoning
9 tablespoons
5 minutes
5 minutes
Whitney Bond
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix until evenly distributed.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to six months. Use within that time for best flavor.
Notes
- See the oven instructions above for a full beef stew method using this seasoning.
- Use roughly 1 tablespoon of seasoning per pound of meat when preparing stews.
- Store in an 8-ounce jar for the single batch; use a pint jar if you double the recipe. Label with the date.
- This mix is naturally gluten free and contains no added sugar.
Nutrition Facts (per tablespoon)
Carbohydrates: 4 g
Protein: 1 g
Sodium: 778 mg
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 0.2 g