1-First Step: Gather and prep the ingredients Start by measuring all ingredients before you turn on the heat. Slice the carrots, cube the potatoes, chop the onion, and mince the garlic. Pat the beef stew meat dry with paper towels so it browns better in the Dutch Oven.

2-Second Step: Heat the Dutch Oven Place the Dutch Oven on the stovetop over medium heat. A cast-iron Dutch Oven works well because it spreads heat evenly and keeps the temperature steady. Let the pot warm for a few minutes before adding the beef.

3-Third Step: Brown the beef Add the beef stew meat in a single layer. Let it brown on all sides before stirring too often. This step builds flavor in the bottom of the Dutch Oven and gives the stew a deeper taste. If your pot is small, brown the beef in batches so it sears instead of steaming.

4-Fourth Step: Add the vegetables and broth Once the beef is browned, add the onion, garlic, carrots, and potatoes. Pour in the 4 cups of beef broth and stir gently. Scrape the bottom of the Dutch Oven with a spoon to pull up the browned bits, which adds more flavor to the stew.

5-Fifth Step: Season and simmer Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat so the stew cooks slowly. Cover the Dutch Oven with its lid and let it simmer for 2 hours. Check it once or twice during cooking and stir lightly so nothing sticks to the bottom.

6-Sixth Step: Check tenderness and adjust After 2 hours, test the beef with a fork. It should be tender and easy to break apart. The potatoes and carrots should be soft but not falling apart. If the stew needs more seasoning, add a little salt or pepper at this stage.

7-Final Step: Rest and serve Turn off the heat and let the stew rest for a few minutes before serving. This short rest helps the broth settle and improves the final texture. Ladle the beef stew into bowls and serve hot. The total time is about 2.5 hours, with 30 minutes of prep and 2 hours of cooking.