The Best Browned Beef Stew

This is a Recipezaar (now called Food.com) recipe. We adapted it for our family and have it at least monthly through the fall and winter. It is SO good!

The Best Browned Beef Stew EVER!

3 -4 1/2 lbs cubed beef stew meat
1 1/2 cups flour
4 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped fine
3 carrots, chopped fine
3/4 cup finely chopped celery with a few minced leaves
3 tablespoons dried parsley
3 pinches thyme
10 1/2 cups beef broth (chicken broth works, too)
6 medium potatoes, diced
6 carrots, diced

1. Put flour, salt and pepper in a large zippy bag.
2. Heat oil over medium heat in a large dutch oven.
3. Place meat in bag with the flour and shake until well coated.
4. Shake off meat pieces and add them to the oil and stir until slightly browned, Add remaining flour from the bag and the finely chopped onion.
5. Stir until well browned.
6. Add finely chopped carrot and next 4 ingredients.
7. Cover and cook over low heat for 1 1/2 hours (stirring every 15 minutes).
8. Add diced potatoes, carrots and cook for another 45 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

I always cook this in my large cast iron Dutch Oven. It imparts a flavor that is missing when it's cooked in a stainless steel pot. I pair this with French Bread, either in roll or loaf form.