Grandma Bessie's Beef Stew

Name: Grandma Bessie's Beef Stew
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 30 min
Yield: 15 serving(s)
Ingredients: 2 -3 lbs stew meat, cut into big bite size pieces; 3 -4 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into big bite size pieces; 1 bag carrot, peeled and cut into big bite size pieces; 1 bunch celery, cut into big bite size pieces; 1 -2 clove garlic, chopped fine; 1 large onion (I keep this whole because I can't digest onion. Love the flavor but can't eat the actual onion); 1 bottle ketchup; salt and pepper

Submitted by Lali8752

"Grandma's Beef Stew. This was passed down from Grandma's Mother to Grandma to My Mom to me."

Download

Ready In:: 3hrs 30mins
Ingredients:: 8
Serves:: 15

ingredients

2 -3 lbs stew meat, cut into big bite size pieces
3 -4 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into big bite size pieces
1 bag carrot, peeled and cut into big bite size pieces
1 bunch celery, cut into big bite size pieces
1 -2 clove garlic, chopped fine
1 large onion (I keep this whole because I can't digest onion. Love the flavor but can't eat the actual onion)
1 bottle ketchup
salt and pepper

directions

If it is cool or cold weather, it is best to put this in the oven (or a crock pot) and let cook for a while.
Take a large pot (I use a dutch oven) on med high heat and add whole bottle of ketchup.
Fill empty bottle with water and rinse out bottle with it, Pour this water in pot with ketchup.
Add carrots, celery, potatoes, garlic and onion.
When all of this has been cooking for a 1/2 hour or so, coat meat with flour and brown in large pan with a little oil.
Cover with a lid and let this simmer for a few minutes.
Meat will be soooooo tender.
add meat mixture (oil, drippings and all) to the veggies.
Mix well.
Add the salt and pepper.
Let this cook until it is thick and the veggies are tender.
The"secret" is the ketchup.
The stew doesn't taste a thing like ketchup though.

Questions & Replies

Got a question? Share it with the community!

Reviews

A bottle of ketchup comes in so many sizes as we know. So I added 2 cups in the first time, we enjoyed it but I feel 1 cup would be sufficient. Will fix again using less ketchup. UPDATE: One week later...I wanted to inform you that, Grandma Bessie''s Beef Stew was a complete success this time. The one cup of ketchup was just the right amount.

Charlotte J
I'm sorry yours turned out like it did. I have personally made this for over 30 years and NEVER once has it tasted like Ketchup. I don't know what you did wrong but I am truly sorry. This is really very good. Granted, it does make a lot. Growing up in a large family you learn to cook for an army.

Lali8752
This was very easy to make and very good! It does make a big pot but beef stew is easy to freeze. I will definitely make again and keep in my recipe file.

Ellen Brody
I hope I'll never serve 15. Sounds great. I'm glad that somebody besides myself isn't afraid to use ketchup. The vinegar, and spices. Great stuff.

John Skrable
Thanks Lali, this turned out so very good. We had company over and Everyone Raved about this. Not much in the way of leftovers either.

Tisso

see 4 more reviews

Tweaks

I started this at 7am before going to church reduced to low while at church perfect Sunday lunch with cornbread! I will keep this recipe & make often this winter!! I wasn’t sure on ketchup I used 32oz. bottle & I might use less water to make a little tangier! His mother made this & this recipe was a hit! I did chop my onion & I didn’t use garlic. I think it would be great to soak beef in buttermilk overnight then batter & fry!

radpowers