Cozy Winter Comfort: Hearty Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe

Cold winter nights call for a comforting slow cooker beef stew that warms you from the inside out.

This classic hearty crock pot beef stew brings together tender chunks of meat with robust vegetables in a rich, savory broth.

Every spoonful promises deep, satisfying flavors that melt in your mouth.

The tender beef practically falls apart with each bite, creating a rustic meal perfect for chilly evenings.

Aromatic herbs and slow-simmered ingredients blend seamlessly to create a truly memorable dish.

Minimal prep work means maximum enjoyment, letting the crock pot do all the hard work.

Gather your ingredients and prepare to savor a meal that speaks directly to your soul.

Slow Cooker Tools to Nail Crock Pot Beef Stew

• Crock Pot: Essential for slow cooking the beef stew with minimal effort.
• Skillet: Perfect for searing beef to lock in rich, deep flavors before transferring to the crock pot.
• Large Bowl: Used for coating beef with flour and seasoning, and mixing broth ingredients.
• Whisk: Helps blend broth ingredients smoothly without lumps.
• Cutting Board: Necessary for chopping vegetables like potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise vegetable and meat preparation.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions for balanced flavors.

How to Make Crock Pot Beef Stew With Tender Veggies

• Toss and Season Beef

Coat beef pieces with flour, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful outer layer that’ll seal in all the rich, meaty goodness.

• Brown the Meat

Sizzle beef chunks in a hot skillet with olive oil until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust that promises deep, delicious flavor.

• Create Veggie Foundation

Spread a colorful mix of chunky potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, and garlic over the browned beef, creating a hearty base for your stew.

• Craft Liquid Magic

Blend beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, and a bay leaf to create a mouthwatering liquid that will transform your ingredients into a comforting meal.

• Slow Cook to Perfection

Let your crock pot work its magic, gently simmering the stew on low heat for 8-10 hours or high heat for 4-6 hours until the beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender.

• Final Fresh Touch

Stir in vibrant green peas during the last 30 minutes to add a pop of color and sweet freshness to your hearty stew.

• Serve and Enjoy

Remove the bay leaf, give everything a gentle stir, and ladle out steaming bowls of pure comfort for your hungry family and friends.

Flavor Variations That Elevate Crock Pot Beef Stew

• Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for maximum tenderness and rich flavor that melts in your mouth.
• Prep ingredients the night before and store separately in refrigerator, then assemble in crock pot morning of cooking for stress-free meal preparation.
• Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend when coating beef to make recipe safe for gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Experiment with seasonal vegetables like parsnips, turnips, or sweet potatoes to add unique flavor profiles and nutritional variety to classic stew.
• For deeper taste, deglaze skillet with red wine after searing beef, scraping browned bits to add extra richness to the stew's overall complexity.

Serve Crock Pot Beef Stew With Bread or Biscuits

• Hearty Bread Companion: Slice up a crusty sourdough or rustic French bread to soak up the rich, savory stew broth. Each bite becomes a delightful flavor explosion.
• Cozy Side Salad: Prepare a crisp green salad with mixed leafy greens, sliced cucumber, and a light vinaigrette to balance the stew's hearty warmth and add freshness.
• Creamy Mashed Comfort: Serve the beef stew over smooth, buttery mashed potatoes for an extra layer of comfort and a delicious way to capture every last drop of the flavorful sauce.
• Winter Wine Pairing: Complement the robust beef stew with a medium-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, enhancing the meal's depth and creating a restaurant-quality dining experience.

Store Crock Pot Beef Stew in Containers for Reheating

• Store leftover beef stew in airtight containers, keeping portions separated for easy reheating and grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
• Safely store in sealed containers for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor and food safety by keeping the stew refrigerated at 40°F or below.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze up to 3 months for future quick meals.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat. Add a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent the meat from drying out, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 570 kcal

Servings: 6

What You’ll Need for Crock Pot Beef Stew

• Beef: Choose chuck roast or stew meat for rich, tender results; look for marbled cuts with good fat content for enhanced flavor.
• Flour: Creates a protective coating that helps seal in meat juices and provides subtle thickening for the stew.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Enhances the meat's natural flavors and adds essential seasoning depth.

• Potatoes, Carrots, Celery, Onion: Classic stew vegetables that provide hearty texture and earthy sweetness; select fresh, firm produce for best results.
• Garlic: Adds robust, aromatic undertones that complement the beef's richness.
• Frozen Peas: Introduces a pop of bright color and fresh sweetness in the final cooking stage.

• Beef Broth: Creates the foundational liquid that tenderizes meat and develops complex flavors.
• Tomato Paste: Intensifies the stew's color and adds a subtle tangy depth.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Provides umami and a subtle smoky undertone.
• Thyme, Rosemary: Herbal notes that beautifully complement the beef's richness.
• Bay Leaf: Contributes a subtle, sophisticated background flavor.
• Olive Oil: Used for searing meat to lock in juices and develop caramelized exterior.

Hearty Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe

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• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty crock pot beef stew delivers pure comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending tender meat and rich vegetables into a soul-warming meal. Slow-cooked perfection promises warmth in every spoonful, inviting you to savor home-style goodness with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

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• 2 pounds (907 grams) beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 cups (960 ml) beef broth
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 cup (150 grams) frozen peas (added at the end)
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) black pepper
• 1 bay leaf

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly coat beef cubes in a blend of flour, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring an even, light dusting that will create a delectable crust.
2. Searing Stage: Ignite a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat and swiftly brown the seasoned beef pieces, developing rich caramelized edges before transferring to the crock pot.
3. Vegetable Layering: Construct a hearty foundation by arranging potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, and garlic atop the seared meat, creating a robust flavor landscape.
4. Liquid Infusion: Craft a vibrant cooking liquid by whisking beef broth with tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and a bay leaf, then generously pour over the meat and vegetable ensemble.
5. Slow Transformation: Seal the crock pot and allow the stew to simmer on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 4-6 hours, letting the beef tenderize and flavors meld into a sumptuous harmony.
6. Final Enhancement: During the last half-hour, introduce frozen peas to brighten the dish with a pop of color and subtle sweetness.
7. Presentation: Discard the bay leaf, give a gentle stir, and serve the deeply aromatic stew piping hot, ready to comfort and satisfy.

Notes

• Brown the beef thoroughly for deeper, richer flavor development and enhanced meat texture before slow cooking.
• Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling to ensure tender, melt-in-your-mouth results after long cooking.
• Adjust flour coating carefully to prevent broth from becoming too thick or pasty; use cornstarch as a lighter alternative if needed.
• Add delicate vegetables like peas only in the final 30 minutes to maintain their vibrant color and prevent overcooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 80mg