a bowl of Beef Stew with Red Wine and Prunes by Chef Stephanie Cmar

Top Chef Stephanie Cmar’s Beef Stew with Red Wine

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This cozy Beef Stew with Red Wine from Top Chef Stephanie Cmar is incredibly rich and flavorful. Red wine, California Prunes, smoky paprika and cinnamon make this the kind of rib-sticking winter meal that warms you from the inside out. Though it takes a few minutes to assemble the stew, most of the cooking time is hands off. Bonus – the simmering stew will fill your kitchen with the most mouthwatering aroma. Serve with a hearty rustic loaf (and the rest of that bottle of Pinot Noir).

a serving dish with Stephanie Cmar's Beef Stew with Red Wine

Who is Stephanie Cmar?

Stephanie is a 3-time contestant on Top Chef, most recently appearing in Top Chef All Stars 17. After immersing herself in the Boston restaurant scene, Stephanie realized she wanted to be closer to the people she was cooking for. She now works as a private chef and consultant, giving her the personal connections she craved.

Why we love this beef stew recipe

Stephanie’s Beef Stew with Red Wine is the ultimate winter meal. It’s rich, aromatic and incredibly satisfying. If you use an oven-safe braising pan (we love Staub’s cast iron and enamel braiser), it can be made all in one pan. Less mess, more time to enjoy the rest of that bottle of Pinot.

What to serve with Beef Stew with Red Wine

For the ultimate comfort food meal, serve this beef stew with red wine with creamy mashed potatoes, cauliflower mash or a rustic loaf of bread. Round out your meal with a winter salad (don’t sleep on our Pear Prune and Fennel Salad).

a spoon pulling out a bite of Stephanie Cmar's Beef Stew with Red Wine

What wine works best in this recipe?

Our rule of thumb when cooking with wine – never cook with a wine you wouldn’t drink! Stephanie used Pinot Noir in her recipe. We recommend choosing a California Pinot Noir (try a cooler region, like Sonoma). Why California? Like we always say, “what grows together grows together”.

a bowl and a serving dish with Stephanie Cmar's Beef Stew with Red Wine

Top Chef Stephanie Cmar’s Beef Stew with Red Wine

Chef Stephanie Cmar
This cozy Beef Stew with Red Wine from Top Chef Stephanie Cmar is incredibly rich and flavorful. Red wine, California Prunes, smoky paprika and cinnamon make this the kind of rib-sticking winter meal that warms you from the inside out. Though it takes a few minutes to assemble the stew, most of the cooking time is hands off. Bonus – the simmering stew will fill your kitchen with the most mouthwatering aroma. Serve with a hearty rustic loaf (and the rest of that bottle of Pinot Noir).
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Dinner, Entree
Cuisine Chef Created
Servings 6
Calories 490 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 4 TBSP neutral oil canola, vegetable, etc
  • 2 lb boneless beef chuck or stewing beef
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 3 plum tomatoes and chopped (canned are fine in the winter)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 1 cup Pinot Noir
  • 2 TBSP brown sugar
  • 1 cup pitted California Prunes

Instructions
 

  • Cut meat into 1 1/2 inch (3-4 cm) cubes. Place a deep skillet or casserole pan that can be covered over medium-high heat, and add oil. Brown meat well on all sides, seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove from pan. It may be necessary to do this in batches so you don't crowd the meat.
  • In same pot over medium-high heat, sauté onion and tomatoes with a large pinch of salt and some pepper. When they soften, about 5 minutes, stir in paprika, cinnamon, and bay leaf. Return meat to pan, and add stock and wine; bring to a boil, then lower heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. If mixture starts to dry, add a little water or stock.
  • Remove cinnamon and bay leaf, and stir in sugar and prunes. Simmer until prunes and meat are soft, another 30 to 45 minutes. When meat is very tender, uncover pot and add vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve hot, garnished with parsley.

Video

Notes

If you love this recipe for beef stew with red wine, you’ll probably love Chef Stephanie Cmar’s other delicious recipes featuring California Prunes:

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 31gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 206mgPotassium: 904mgFiber: 3gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 672IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 4mg
Keyword beef chuck, beef stew, red wine
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Love this Beef Stew with Red Wine? We’ve got more delicious recipes from Stephanie Cmar…

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Sweet and Spicy Chicken Legs

Easy enough for a weeknight, but elegant enough to serve to guests, these Sweet and Spicy Chicken Legs are always a hit. Even better – they can be on the table in about a half hour!

a white plate of Stephanie Cmar's short ribs with a fork and knife

Braised Short Ribs

If you loved Stephanie’s recipe for Beef Stew with Red Wine, you’ve got to try her incredible Braised Short Ribs! This mouthwatering dish is bursting with bold flavors.

Need more proof that prunes and red wine are a match made in heaven?

a slice of Mascarpone Cake with Red Wine Prunes from Claire Saffitz's Dessert Person

Mascarpone Cake with Prunes and Red Wine

Claire Saffitz‘s tangy-light mascarpone cake is studded with sweet, flavorful prunes simmered in red wine. It’s the kind of recipe that will make a dessert person out of anyone (if you know you know…check out Claire’s cookbook).

Did you try this recipe? Maybe you’ve got a favorite recipe using California Prunes that you’d like to share with us? Snap a pic and share it on social using #caprunes.

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