Beef and Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes

This is hearty beef and gravy over mashed potatoes, from scratch, with clear step-by-step directions.

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🥩 Beef & Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes

Serves: 4

Total time: ~1 hour

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INGREDIENTS

For the Mashed Potatoes

• 2 lbs potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)

• 4 tbsp butter

• ½–¾ cup milk or cream (warm)

• Salt (to taste)

• Black pepper (optional)

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For the Beef & Gravy

• 1½ lbs beef chuck or stew meat, cut into 1–1½ inch cubes

• Salt and black pepper

• 2 tbsp oil (vegetable or olive)

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 tbsp flour

• 2 cups beef broth (warm)

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• Optional but good:

  • ½ tsp thyme

  • ½ tsp paprika

  • ½ tsp onion powder

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STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS

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🥔 STEP 1: Prep & Cook the Potatoes

1. Peel the potatoes (or leave skins on if you like texture).

2. Cut into evenly sized chunks.

3. Place in a large pot and cover with cold salted water.

4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

5. Cook 15–20 minutes, until fork-tender.

6. Drain and return potatoes to the hot pot.

7. Add butter and mash.

8. Slowly pour in warm milk while mashing until creamy.

9. Season with salt (and pepper if you like).

10. Cover and keep warm.

👉 Tip: Warm milk = fluffier potatoes.

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🥩 STEP 2: Brown the Beef

1. Pat beef dry with paper towels (important for browning).

2. Season generously with salt and pepper.

3. Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

4. Add beef in batches — don’t crowd the pan.

5. Brown all sides (about 2–3 minutes per side).

6. Remove beef and set aside.

👉 Browning = flavor. Don’t rush this.

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🧅 STEP 3: Build the Flavor Base

1. Reduce heat to medium.

2. Add diced onion to the same pan.

3. Cook 4–5 minutes, scraping up brown bits.

4. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

5. Add butter and let it melt.

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🌾 STEP 4: Make the Gravy

1. Sprinkle flour over the onions.

2. Stir constantly for 1–2 minutes (this cooks out raw flour taste).

3. Slowly pour in beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps.

4. Add Worcestershire sauce and optional seasonings.

5. Bring to a gentle simmer — gravy will thicken.

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🥘 STEP 5: Simmer the Beef

1. Return beef (and any juices) to the pan.

2. Reduce heat to low.

3. Cover and simmer 25–35 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Beef should be tender and gravy rich.

5. Taste and adjust salt & pepper.

👉 Too thick? Add broth. Too thin? Simmer uncovered a few minutes.

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🍽 STEP 6: Serve

1. Spoon mashed potatoes onto plates.

2. Top generously with beef and gravy.

3. Optional garnish: parsley or cracked black pepper.

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🔥 Optional Add-Ins

• Mushrooms (add with onions)

• Carrots or peas (stir in last 10 minutes)

• Splash of cream for extra-rich gravy