Your stew sounds fine - probably just needs aging and a few additives.
Never fail beef stew
1 large can Dinty Moore Beef stew
1 large tomato chopped
3 spring onions chopped
garlic to taste
frozen peas thawed in microwave
frozen corn thawed in microwave
left over red wine that's been in the frig for ever if you have any
frozen green beans thawed in microwave if you wish ( I do three minutes on frozen vegs)
any leftover beef, spaghetti sauce (NOT the sweet kind), hamburger
dried shriveled up hot peppers from the back of the frig
any other leftovers that seem like they would meld well
spinach goes well too - leftover, canned or frozen
leftover sausage, either link or patty go well also
fresh carrot nuked until soft and then sliced
Dump all the ingredients into a large pan. Heat until it starts to simmer at least. Season to taste. Eat with homemade biscuits or cornbread. Save leftovers as they get better each day.
Things that from experience don't go well in it - black beans, red beans, lentils, etc., pasta, things with lemon, capers, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage is iffy - not much is probably OK, basil, hot dogs, chicken, collard greens, cheese.