Austrian Beef Stew
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 1 1/ lbs beef chuck, cut into 1½ - 2 inch cubes (a tougher cut like chuck with lots of collagen works best)
  • 3 tbsp sweet paprika split into 2 and 1 tbsp
  • salt and black pepper
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1½ tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ½ onion, diced
  • 1 tbsp caraway seed
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1 tsp hot paprika
  • bay leaf
  • ½ tsp marjoram (optional)
  • 1½ tsp cider vinegar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  2. In a small glass bowl, mix the tomato paste and beef broth together and set aside.
  3. In a medium glass bowl, add the beef, 1 tablespoon of sweet paprika, salt and pepper, tossing to coat before setting aside.
  4. In a dutch oven over Medium/Medium-High heat, melt the butter then add the onions.
  5. Cook the onions, stirring regularly, until they just start to brown slightly, approximately 5 to 8 minutes.
  6. Add the flour and mix to combine with butter onion mixture.
  7. Add remaining paprika (sweet and hot) and caraway, stirring to combine and bloom, approximately 1 minute.
  8. Add broth and tomato paste mixture, bring to a simmer.
  9. Add beef, bay leaf, and marjoram (if using).
  10. Cover and place in oven for 1.5 to 2 hours.
  11. After cooking in oven, cook on stove top over Medium heat until liquid reduces to a thick gravy and beef is tender.
  12. Remove from heat and allow to meld for 15 minutes before adding vinegar, stirring to combine.
  13. Serve over egg noodles or alongside spaetzle.
Notes
This recipe is based on the one from Milk Street and this one from Lil Vienna.

From Lil Vienna:
"There is a saying in Austria that roughly translates to something like „Reheating only works for goulash.” (“Aufgewärmt ist nur ein Gulasch gut.”) You will hear this saying when somebody considers getting back together with an ex (“reheating” the relationship) is a bad idea. I always have to smile when I hear this saying. It’s so typical Austrian, classic Viennese grumpy style."
Recipe by Cooking 4 One at https://www.cooking-4-one.com/2020/04/05/austrian-beef-stew/