Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

Tender, hearty, and brimming with deep flavors, Slow Cooker Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort meal you’ll want to savor all year round. It fills your kitchen with a rich aroma as it gently simmers away, transforming simple ingredients into a bowl of pure, cozy delight. This classic dish delivers fall-apart beef, chunky vegetables, and a savory gravy so satisfying, you’ll find yourself reaching for a second helping before you even finish the first.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the ingredients for Slow Cooker Beef Stew couldn’t be simpler. Each component brings its own essential flavor and texture — nothing fancy, just the basics done right, promising that every bite will taste deeply homemade.

• Beef chuck roast: Pick a well-marbled roast and cut it into hearty cubes; the slow cooking turns it wonderfully tender and flavorful.
• Carrots: Sliced into thick rounds, carrots lend sweetness and a pop of color that makes every bowl more appetizing.
• Yukon Gold potatoes: These potatoes hold their shape and soak up the stew’s rich base, providing comforting heft in each spoonful.
• Celery: Chopped celery adds a subtle earthiness and a slight crunch for balance.
• Onions: Diced onions supply a gentle bite and deepen the overall flavor of the stew as they break down.
• Garlic: Minced garlic infuses the stew with that savory backbone we all crave in a hearty meal.
• Tomato paste: A small amount enriches the broth and brings brightness to the slow-cooked flavors.
• Beef broth: This liquid gold is the foundation of your stew, so pick a good-quality broth for the fullest flavor.
• Worcestershire sauce: Just a splash adds impressive depth and a little umami kick.
• Bay leaf: An aromatic leaf quietly infuses the stew with a delicate herbal note.
• Thyme: Fresh or dried, thyme is that woodsy herb that ties all the flavors together beautifully.
• Salt and pepper: Don’t forget generous pinches of both to keep your flavors bright and balanced.
• Flour: Tossing the beef in flour helps thicken the broth into a true, stick-to-your-ribs gravy.
• Olive oil: For browning the beef, just a swirl in the pan helps develop even more flavor.
• Frozen peas (optional): Toss these in at the end for a burst of color and freshness.

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Step 1: Prep and Brown the Beef

Start by patting your beef cubes dry and tossing them with flour, salt, and pepper. Searing the beef in a hot skillet with olive oil is optional, but it adds a lovely caramelized flavor and helps seal in those juices. Brown the pieces in batches so they develop a nice crust, then transfer them straight into your slow cooker.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

After browning the beef, add the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and tomato paste to the skillet for a quick sauté. This step boosts the vegetables’ sweetness and helps the tomato paste mellow, releasing even more flavor into your stew. Once fragrant, scrape up any brown bits and add it all to the slow cooker.

Step 3: Assemble the Stew in the Slow Cooker

Nestle the beef and sautéed veggies into your slow cooker, then add the potatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and thyme. Give everything a gentle stir so the flavors are commingled, cover, and set the slow cooker to low for 7-8 hours (or high for about 4 hours), until the beef is fork-tender and the veggies are perfectly cooked.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

About 20 minutes before serving, stir in the frozen peas if you’re using them. This gives them just enough time to warm through without losing their gorgeous green color. Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Step 5: Thicken the Gravy (Optional)

If you like a thicker stew, mix a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry, then stir it into the hot stew. Let it bubble a few minutes more to reach your desired consistency before removing the bay leaf and serving.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or thyme right before serving adds a pop of color and a burst of freshness that makes every bowl feel extra special. A few twists of cracked black pepper on top doesn’t hurt, either!

Side Dishes

Warm, crusty bread or buttery dinner rolls are the perfect companions for soaking up every bit of the stew’s rich gravy. For a lighter option, serve your Slow Cooker Beef Stew with a simple green salad with a punchy vinaigrette to balance its cozy richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Try ladling your stew over creamy mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food pairing. For a rustic dinner party, serve it in individual bread bowls or wide, shallow bowls alongside a bunch of roasted root vegetables for a hearty presentation everyone will remember.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any leftover Slow Cooker Beef Stew cool down to room temperature, then store it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors only get better as they meld overnight, making next-day lunches a real treat.

Freezing

Beef stew freezes beautifully. Cool your stew completely, ladle into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip bags, and freeze for up to 3 months. Just leave a little space at the top for expansion, and label with the date so you never lose track.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the stew in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if it’s a bit thick. If reheating from frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight or use the defrost function on your microwave to make things easy and stress-free.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Absolutely! While chuck roast is the traditional choice for Slow Cooker Beef Stew thanks to its marbling and tenderness, brisket or even stew meat from the store work well. Just steer clear of lean cuts that may dry out during slow cooking.

Can I make this stew gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative or use cornstarch to thicken the gravy at the end. The rest of the ingredients in Slow Cooker Beef Stew are naturally gluten-free.

Do I need to brown the beef first?

Browning the beef isn’t required, but it adds wonderful flavor and color. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step and still end up with a delicious and hearty stew—the slow cooker will take care of most of the heavy lifting.

Can I add other vegetables?

Definitely! Feel free to toss in parsnips, turnips, sweet potatoes, or even mushrooms to switch things up or use what you have on hand. That’s the beauty of Slow Cooker Beef Stew—it’s endlessly adaptable.

How do I make the gravy thicker?

If you prefer a thicker consistency, simply mix a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch with a bit of cold water, stir it into the stew near the end of cooking, and let it simmer until it thickens to your liking.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a soul-soothing, fuss-free meal that feels like a warm hug, give this Slow Cooker Beef Stew a try. It’s a recipe you’ll keep coming back to—simple, satisfying, and always a crowd-pleaser. Happy cooking!

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