Beef and Bacon Stew

Beef and bacon might sound like an unusual combination, but it is one we think should be used more often, especially in stews.

Longer cooking gives the beef time to become tender and gives the bacon chance to add proper smoky, salty flavour through the sauce.

This beef and bacon stew is one of Shirley’s recipes. We’ve classed it as a Hungarian-style recipe because it is based on a simple beef goulash, but, as usual, Shirley has added her own twists and turns.

And it is delicious.

What Is Beef and Bacon Stew?

Beef and bacon stew is a rich, slow-cooked beef stew made with diced beef, bacon pieces, onions, garlic, smoked paprika, tomatoes and beef stock.

The bacon adds saltiness and depth, while the smoked paprika gives the stew a warm, goulash-style flavour.

It is perfect served with crusty bread, mash, rice, noodles, or even just eaten from a bowl while pretending you only went back for “a little bit more”.

Why Add Bacon to Beef Stew?

Bacon adds flavour, fat, salt and smokiness to beef stew.

As it cooks down, the bacon flavour works its way into the onions, stock, tomatoes and paprika, giving the finished stew a deeper, richer taste.

You do not need fancy bacon for this. Bacon bits, misshapes or offcuts work brilliantly because they bring flavour without needing neat rashers.

Can You Cook Beef and Bacon Stew in the Slow Cooker?

Yes, beef and bacon stew works really well in the slow cooker.

The great thing about this recipe is that once the beef, bacon, onions and flavourings are prepared, you can let it cook gently for hours.

You can cook it in a slow cooker, or in a covered casserole dish in a low oven.

If the stew starts to dry out, just add a little more beef stock.

Beef and Bacon Stew Ingredients

• 1kg diced beef
• 225g bacon bits, bacon misshapes or chopped bacon
• Salt and black pepper
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 700g onions, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
• 4 tbsp smoked paprika
• 400g tin peeled plum tomatoes with herbs
• 300ml beef stock
• Sour cream and chopped parsley, optional, to serve

How to Make Beef and Bacon Stew

1. Toss the diced beef in seasoned flour until coated.
2. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a casserole dish.
3. Fry the beef in small batches until sealed and browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.
4. Add the onions to the casserole dish and cook until they start to soften and turn golden.
5. In a separate frying pan, fry the bacon over a high heat until crisped.
6. Add the beef and bacon back into the casserole dish with the onions.
7. Stir in the garlic and smoked paprika.
8. Cook for around 1 minute, stirring, so the paprika warms through without burning.
9. Add the tomatoes and beef stock.
10. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
11. Place the lid on the casserole dish.
12. Cook in the oven at 170°C, 150°C fan, Gas Mark 3 for around 2 to 2½ hours, or until the beef is tender.
13. Serve with sour cream and chopped parsley if using.

Slow Cooker Beef and Bacon Stew Method

You can also make this as a slow cooker beef and bacon stew.

1. Brown the beef in a pan first, then set aside.
2. Fry the onions until softened.
3. Fry the bacon until crisped.
4. Add the beef, bacon, onions, garlic, paprika, tomatoes and beef stock to the slow cooker.
5. Cook on low for around 7 to 8 hours, or on high for around 4 to 5 hours.
6. If the stew is too thin, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes or thicken with a little cornflour mixed with water.

The slow cooker version is brilliant if you want dinner ready when you get home and your house smelling ridiculous in the best possible way.

What Beef Is Best for Beef and Bacon Stew?

Diced beef is ideal for beef and bacon stew.

You want a cut that benefits from slow cooking, rather than a lean steak cut that is better cooked quickly.

Stewing beef, diced beef, chuck, shin or braising steak all work well because they become tender with time.

For more slow-cooked beef ideas, have a look at our chuck steak slow cooker recipe and shin of beef slow cooker guide.

What Bacon Should You Use?

Bacon bits, bacon misshapes or chopped bacon are perfect for this stew.

You do not need neat rashers because the bacon is there to add flavour to the sauce. Offcuts and misshapes are ideal because they are usually better value and still bring loads of bacon flavour.

You can use smoked bacon if you want a deeper smoky flavour, or unsmoked bacon if you want it a little milder.

Why Use Smoked Paprika?

Smoked paprika gives this beef and bacon stew its warm, goulash-style flavour.

It works beautifully with the beef, bacon, onions and tomatoes, adding colour and depth without making the stew hot or overpowering.

Just be careful not to burn the paprika. Add it once the onions, beef and bacon are in the pan, stir it through, and cook for around a minute before adding the liquid.

How Long Does Beef and Bacon Stew Take?

In the oven, beef and bacon stew takes around 2 to 2½ hours once everything has been browned and prepared.

In the slow cooker, it usually takes around 7 to 8 hours on low or 4 to 5 hours on high.

The stew is ready when the beef is tender and the sauce is rich and full of flavour.

Can You Make Beef and Bacon Stew Ahead?

Yes, and like most stews, this one often tastes even better the next day.

Let the stew cool, cover it, and store it in the fridge. Reheat until piping hot all the way through before serving.

If the sauce thickens too much in the fridge, add a splash of beef stock or water when reheating.

Can You Freeze Beef and Bacon Stew?

Yes, beef and bacon stew freezes well.

Cool it completely, portion it into freezer-safe containers, label it, and freeze.

Defrost thoroughly in the fridge before reheating, then heat until piping hot all the way through.

What to Serve with Beef and Bacon Stew

Beef and bacon stew is brilliant served with:

• crusty bread
• mashed potatoes
• rice
• buttered noodles
• roast potatoes
• jacket potatoes
• dumplings
• green vegetables

It might sound slightly unusual, but it works beautifully with noodles. Very goulash. Very comforting.

You can browse our beef range and bacon range if you want to stock up for proper slow-cooked meals.

Tips for Better Beef and Bacon Stew

• Brown the beef in batches so it sears rather than steams.
• Use bacon bits or misshapes for flavour and value.
• Cook the bacon until crisp before adding it to the stew.
• Do not burn the paprika, or it can taste bitter.
• Cook gently until the beef is properly tender.
• Add extra beef stock if the stew starts to dry out.
• Make it ahead if you can, because the flavour gets even better.

Final Thoughts

Beef and bacon stew is rich, smoky, hearty and properly comforting.

The beef becomes tender, the bacon adds depth, and the smoked paprika gives it that warm Hungarian-style flavour.

Serve it with crusty bread, mash or noodles, and you’ve got the sort of meal that makes cold days much more bearable.

FAQs

Can you put bacon in beef stew?

Yes, bacon works really well in beef stew. It adds smoky, salty flavour and helps make the sauce richer.

What beef is best for beef and bacon stew?

Diced beef, stewing beef, chuck, shin or braising steak all work well because they become tender with slow cooking.

Can you make beef and bacon stew in the slow cooker?

Yes, brown the beef, onions and bacon first, then cook everything in the slow cooker for 7 to 8 hours on low or 4 to 5 hours on high.

How long does beef and bacon stew take?

It takes around 2 to 2½ hours in the oven, or 7 to 8 hours on low in the slow cooker.

Can you freeze beef and bacon stew?

Yes, beef and bacon stew freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into containers, freeze, then defrost and reheat until piping hot.

What do you serve with beef and bacon stew?

Serve it with crusty bread, mash, rice, noodles, dumplings, jacket potatoes or green vegetables.

Why add smoked paprika to beef stew?

Smoked paprika adds warmth, colour and a goulash-style flavour that works really well with beef, bacon, onions and tomatoes.