Description
This Slow Cooker Beef Stew is a hearty, comforting meal that practically cooks itself. Tender chunks of beef, soft potatoes, carrots, and celery simmer together in a rich, flavorful broth. With only 15 minutes of prep time, this recipe is perfect for busy days when you want a homemade dinner waiting for you.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1–2 inch cubes
- 4 medium potatoes, cut into chunks
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for browning, optional)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or flour (for thickening, optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the Beef: Pat beef cubes dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
- Brown the Beef (Optional): Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear beef cubes on all sides until browned. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Chop the Vegetables: Cut potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion into even pieces. Add to the slow cooker with garlic.
- Add Seasonings and Liquids: Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary. Mix well.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until beef is tender and vegetables are soft.
- Thicken the Stew: 30 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch or flour with a little water and stir into the stew. Let it cook until thickened.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove bay leaves, ladle stew into bowls, and top with fresh parsley. Serve with bread or biscuits.
Notes
For a deeper flavor, don’t skip browning the beef. Try adding mushrooms, peas, or even a splash of red wine for variations. To store, refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 4–5 hours (high)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 2 cups)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg