Beef hotpot is a beloved comfort food, especially popular in British cuisine. This hearty, slow-cooked dish combines tender beef with vegetables, herbs, and a rich, flavorful broth, making it the perfect meal for chilly days or family gatherings. Whether you are preparing it for a special occasion or a cozy weeknight dinner, a good beef hotpot recipe can be a game changer in the kitchen. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about making this delightful dish, from selecting the right ingredients to cooking tips and variations.

What is Beef Hotpot?

Beef hotpot is a slow-cooked stew typically made with beef, root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions, and often seasoned with herbs like thyme and bay leaves. The dish is usually cooked in a pot or casserole, allowing the flavors to meld together as the beef becomes tender and juicy. The recipe has variations depending on the region, with different cultures putting their unique spin on the dish.

The most common version found in the UK uses stewing cuts of beef like chuck or brisket, which require long, slow cooking to become tender. The dish is usually topped with a layer of thinly sliced potatoes, creating a comforting crust on top as it bakes.

Essential Ingredients for Beef Hotpot

The beauty of a beef hotpot recipe lies in its simplicity. You don’t need an abundance of exotic ingredients—just a few key items will do the trick. Here’s a breakdown of the essential ingredients you will need:

Beef: Choose a good stewing cut such as chuck steak, brisket, or round. These cuts benefit from slow cooking, breaking down the tough fibers and resulting in tender, juicy meat.

Vegetables: Onions, carrots, and parsnips are commonly used in a classic hotpot. Potatoes are an essential part of the dish, either layered on top or cooked within the stew itself.

Herbs and Spices: Fresh thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves are often used to flavor the broth. Salt and pepper are added for seasoning.

Broth or Stock: Beef stock is ideal, but you can also use chicken stock or vegetable broth if you prefer a lighter flavor.

Olive oil or butter: For browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables.

Worcestershire sauce (optional): A few dashes add a depth of flavor to the broth.

Step-by-Step Beef Hotpot Recipe

Ingredients:

800g (1.5 lbs) beef chuck or brisket, cut into chunks

4 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly

2 carrots, sliced

1 onion, diced

1-2 parsnips, sliced (optional)

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

500ml (2 cups) beef stock

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)

2 sprigs fresh thyme

2 bay leaves

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon flour (for thickening)

Method:

Prepare the ingredients: Begin by prepping the vegetables. Slice the potatoes, carrots, and parsnips. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Cut the beef into chunks, trimming any excess fat.

Brown the beef: In a large ovenproof pot or casserole dish, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef chunks and brown them on all sides. This step adds depth of flavor to the dish. Once browned, remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.

Sauté the vegetables: In the same pot, add the diced onion and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Then, add the sliced carrots and parsnips and sauté for another 5 minutes. This helps to release their flavors into the pot.

Add the stock: Return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce (if using), and add the thyme and bay leaves. Stir everything together and bring to a simmer.

Layer the potatoes: Once the beef mixture is simmering, layer the sliced potatoes on top. You can overlap them slightly to create a comforting layer of potato topping. If you prefer, you can mix the potatoes into the stew, but for that traditional crispy topping, keep them on top.

Cook in the oven: Cover the pot with a lid or foil and transfer it to a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F). Cook for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the beef is tender and the potatoes are cooked through. For a crispy top, you can uncover the pot for the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Serve and enjoy: Once the beef is tender and the potatoes are golden brown, remove the hotpot from the oven. Serve the dish hot, ensuring you scoop both the savory beef and the delicious vegetables with plenty of the flavorful broth.

Tips for Perfect Beef Hotpot

Use the right cut of beef: Stewing cuts like chuck, brisket, or shin work best for hotpot as they become tender after slow cooking. Avoid lean cuts like sirloin, as they can become dry and tough.

Layering the potatoes: To get the best texture, slice the potatoes evenly and layer them on top of the stew rather than mixing them in. This creates a nice crispy top, which is one of the highlights of the dish.

Thickening the broth: If the broth is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of flour with a little water and stir it into the pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This will help thicken the sauce and give it a rich consistency.

Let it rest: Beef hotpot is even better when it’s allowed to rest for a few minutes after coming out of the oven. This allows the flavors to meld together and makes the dish even more flavorful.

Variations of Beef Hotpot

While the traditional beef hotpot recipe is a classic, there are plenty of variations to explore:

Cheese Topping: For a cheesy twist, sprinkle some grated cheddar cheese over the potatoes for the last 15 minutes of cooking. This creates a delicious, golden, cheesy crust.

Adding Mushrooms: For an earthy depth of flavor, add sliced mushrooms to the stew along with the onions and garlic. They absorb the broth and add an extra layer of umami.

Vegetable Hotpot: If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the beef with hearty vegetables such as mushrooms, butternut squash, and root vegetables like sweet potatoes. You can also replace beef stock with vegetable stock.

FAQs

What is the best cut of beef for a hotpot?

When making a beef hotpot, choosing the right cut of beef is crucial for ensuring the meat becomes tender and flavorful after slow cooking. The best cuts for beef hotpot are those that are suitable for stewing. Cuts such as chuck steak, brisket, and shin of beef are ideal because they are rich in connective tissue, which breaks down during slow cooking and results in tender, juicy beef. Avoid lean cuts like sirloin, as they may dry out and become tough when slow-cooked

Can I make beef hotpot in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can easily adapt a beef hotpot recipe for a slow cooker. First, brown the beef and sauté the vegetables in a pan, then transfer everything to the slow cooker along with the stock and seasonings. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours until the beef is tender. This method retains the rich flavors while saving time, and the slow cooking process ensures that the meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender​.

Can I use other vegetables in my beef hotpot?

Yes, beef hotpot is versatile, and you can add a variety of vegetables to suit your preferences. Common vegetables include carrots, parsnips, and potatoes, but you can also experiment with celery, leeks, swede (rutabaga), or mushrooms. These vegetables absorb the flavors of the broth and contribute to the richness of the stew. If you’re looking to make a vegetarian version, simply replace the beef with hearty vegetables like squash and mushrooms, and use vegetable stock instead of beef stock​

Can I make the beef hotpot ahead of time?

Beef hotpot is a great dish to prepare in advance. In fact, it often tastes better the next day when the flavors have had time to meld. After cooking, let the hotpot cool and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. You can reheat it on the stove over low heat or in the oven at a low temperature. Alternatively, you can freeze the hotpot for up to 3 months. Just make sure to defrost it thoroughly before reheating​

How do I make the potatoes crispy in a beef hotpot?

One of the best features of a traditional beef hotpot is the crispy, golden crust of potatoes on top. To achieve this, slice the potatoes thinly and arrange them evenly on top of the stew. For extra crispiness, uncover the pot during the final 30 minutes of cooking so that the potatoes can brown and crisp up in the oven. Another tip is to toss the potato slices in a bit of oil or butter before placing them on top for added richness and crunch 

In Summary

Beef hotpot is a quintessential comfort food that brings together tender beef, flavorful vegetables, and a savory broth, making it a perfect dish for both special occasions and cozy family dinners. Whether you’re using a slow cooker or cooking it on the stovetop, this dish offers flexibility and the opportunity to experiment with different vegetables and seasonings. The key to a successful beef hotpot lies in selecting the right cuts of beef, allowing enough cooking time for the flavors to develop, and ensuring that the potatoes form a crispy, golden crust. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can create a satisfying meal that will become a family favorite, providing warmth and comfort on the coldest days.

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