Portuguese Beef Stew Recipe—Hearty & Flavorful
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These Portuguese Beef Stew bowls are rich, savory, and bursting with comforting flavors!
Tender beef simmers in a rich broth of garlic, paprika, wine, and tomatoes, with a hint of cinnamon, for a hearty stew that’s perfect for cozy family dinners. This traditional-style dish takes inspiration from Portuguese cuisine, where slow-simmered beef, aromatic spices, and wine are staples at the table. Serve it with crusty bread for the ultimate comfort food!
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Why You’ll Love This Portuguese Beef Stew Recipe
- Tender and Flavorful Beef—Marinating the beef in garlic, paprika, and olive oil ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
- Portuguese-Inspired Twist—The addition of white wine and a cinnamon stick makes this stew recipe unique compared to classic beef stews.
- One-Pot Comfort Food—Everything simmers together in one pot, making it perfect for easy weeknight cooking.
- Perfect for Cozy Gatherings—Serve it with warm, crusty bread and you’ve got a hearty meal to share with friends or family.
- Make-Ahead Friendly—Like many stews, the flavors deepen as it sits, so it’s even better the next day!
Craving more hearty dinners? Explore our collection of Beef Recipes!
Ingredients for Portuguese Beef Stew
The ingredients and tools for this recipe are conveniently linked to online retailers, including Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and Walmart. The quantities are in the recipe card.
- Protein: Chuck Beef Roast (Braising Steak or Stewing Steak in the UK)
- Fresh Produce: Red Potatoes, Onions, Garlic, Parsley
- Pantry: Salt, Black Pepper, Olive Oil
- Canned Tomatoes—Diced and undrained for rich tomato flavor
- Dry White Wine—Use a wine you enjoy drinking
- Beef Broth/Stock—The base of the stew
- Smoked Paprika—For warmth and smokiness
- Cinnamon Stick—A unique Portuguese-inspired flavor note
The complete ingredient list, along with their measurements, is provided on the recipe card. The Purple Pumpkin Blog uses both cups and weighted measurements in its recipes, making American cups and kitchen food scales valuable tools for trying all the recipes. We provide measurements in US customary, imperial, and metric units. Still, it’s essential to note that while you can combine cup measurements with weighted measures, never mix US customary/imperial units (pounds, ounces, pints, etc.) with metric units (kilograms, grams, liters, etc.).
How Do I Make Portuguese Beef Stew?
This hearty stew is very simple—you’ll marinate the beef (allow a couple of hours, or even overnight for deeper flavor), sauté the onions and garlic, deglaze with wine, then simmer everything together until tender.
Check out the recipe card below—you can print or save it for later—and don’t forget to leave a star rating!
Then, continue scrolling for food pairings and more info about this recipe.
Portuguese Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chuck beef roast (Braising or Stewing Steak) cut into 1-inch cubes
- 10 garlic cloves chopped and divided
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 5 medium red potatoes peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 2 onions sliced
- 15 ounce can diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Fresh parsley roughly chopped, for serving
SUGGESTED PRODUCTS
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine beef cubes, half the garlic, smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate for 2–3 hours.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add remaining tablespoon olive oil, onions, and the rest of the garlic. Cook for 4–5 minutes until onions are softened and lightly browned.
- Stir in diced tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 5–10 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Heat a Dutch oven, large saucepan, or stockpot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the beef and sear for 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Scrape in any leftover marinade from the bowl.
- Add the potatoes, then pour the onion, garlic, tomato, and wine mixture over the top. Add beef broth and the cinnamon stick and stir together.
- Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat and cook uncovered for 30–45 minutes, or until the beef is tender and potatoes are cooked through.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Season with extra salt and pepper if needed.
- Ladle stew into bowls, sprinkle with parsley, and serve hot with warm bread. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Tips
- Cut beef into even 1-inch cubes for consistent cooking.
- Marinate for 2–3 hours; overnight develops deeper flavor.
- Use a Dutch oven for steady heat and an even simmer. Alternatively, use a large saucepan or stockpot.
- Taste at the end and adjust salt, pepper, and acidity; a small splash of wine can brighten the stew.
Substitutions
- Paprika: Swap smoked paprika for sweet (milder) or hot (spicier).
- Wine: Use red wine for a richer stew, or add extra beef broth for an alcohol-free option.
- Potatoes: Red potatoes can be replaced with Yukon Gold or Maris Piper.
- Onions: Substitute shallots for a slightly sweeter flavor.
- Broth: Beef broth yields the best flavor, but chicken or vegetable broth can be used as a substitute in a pinch.
Leftovers
- Storage: Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in short bursts until piping hot.
Freezing
- Freeze: Portion cooled stew into freezer-safe containers; freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw: Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheat: Simmer gently on the stove until heated through; add a splash of broth if needed.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is always approximate and will depend on the quality of ingredients used and serving sizes. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.
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Pair This Beef Stew With…
Enjoy this Portuguese Beef Stew with warm, crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth. For a rustic pairing, try it with Cornbread, and perhaps a Simple Green Bean Salad.
Finish your meal with Pastel de Nata – Portuguese Egg Custard Tarts for an authentic Portuguese dessert, and serve alongside a glass of Homemade Sangria for a Mediterranean-style dinner. (For non-drinkers try our Berry Peach Non-Alcoholic Sangria Mocktail.)
Ready to Make Portuguese Beef Stew Tonight?
With tender beef, flavorful spices, and the comforting touch of potatoes, this Portuguese-inspired stew is the ultimate cozy dinner. Make it for a Sunday supper, a chilly fall evening, or anytime you’re craving comfort food in a bowl!
Don’t forget to ♥ save this recipe and share it with fellow foodies! And if you give it a try, we’d love to hear how it went—leave a comment or tag us in your creations.
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