Comforting Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe: Soul-Warming Goodness

Nothing beats a warm, comforting slow cooker beef stew on a chilly evening.

This hearty beef stew recipe simmers tender chunks of meat with robust vegetables, creating a rich and satisfying meal.

Slow-cooked to perfection, each spoonful delivers deep, mouthwatering flavors that’ll make you close your eyes in pure delight.

The secret lies in selecting high-quality beef and allowing the ingredients to meld together gradually.

Fresh herbs and carefully chosen seasonings elevate this classic dish from simple to spectacular.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building layers of incredible taste.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this incredible stew that promises warmth, comfort, and pure culinary joy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 6

What You Need for Slow Cooker Beef Stew

• Beef Cubes: Select well-marbled chuck roast for maximum tenderness and rich flavor.
• Flour: Essential for creating a delicious golden crust and helping thicken the stew.
• Salt: Enhances meat's natural savory profile and balances overall dish flavor.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, subtle heat and complements the beef's richness.

• Carrots, Potatoes, Onion: Provide hearty texture, natural sweetness, and earthy undertones.
• Garlic: Delivers robust depth and complex flavor foundation for the stew.
• Frozen Peas: Introduces bright color, fresh taste, and extra nutritional boost.

• Olive Oil: Creates perfect searing environment for developing deep meat flavors.
• Tomato Paste: Adds rich umami complexity and beautiful deep color.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Contributes tangy, slightly fermented depth.
• Beef Broth: Builds foundational liquid base with rich meaty essence.
• Thyme, Rosemary, Bay Leaf: Classic herb blend offering woodsy, aromatic undertones.
• Cornstarch: Natural thickening agent for creating luxurious stew consistency.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides fresh, bright garnish with vibrant green finish.

Tools That Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew Effortless

• Large Skillet: Perfect for browning beef and creating a rich, caramelized exterior on the meat.
• Slow Cooker: Essential for transforming tough beef into tender, melt-in-your-mouth stew.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions.
• Sharp Knife: Required for precise vegetable and meat preparation.
• Mixing Bowl: Used for coating beef cubes with flour and seasonings.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helpful for stirring ingredients in the slow cooker.

Instructions for a Cozy Pot of Beef Stew

• Prepare the Meat

Dust beef cubes with a light coating of seasoned flour, ensuring each piece gets a delicate, even layer that will help create a rich, golden crust during cooking.

• Brown the Beef

Sizzle the floured meat in a hot skillet with olive oil, creating a deep caramel-colored exterior that locks in robust flavors and promises a mouthwatering stew.

• Build the Flavor Base

Toss meat, chopped vegetables, herbs, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth into the slow cooker, allowing all ingredients to mingle and develop a complex, comforting taste profile.

• Let the Magic Happen

Allow the slow cooker to transform these simple ingredients into a hearty, tender meal by cooking on low heat for several hours, letting each component soften and blend beautifully.

• Final Touch

Stir in a cornstarch slurry during the last half hour to create a luxurious, velvety texture, then sprinkle in sweet green peas for a pop of color and freshness.

• Serve with Love

Discard the bay leaf, scatter some fresh herbs on top, and ladle this soul-warming stew into bowls, paired with crusty bread for a truly satisfying dining experience.

Tips to Take Your Slow Cooker Stew to the Next Level

• Make-Ahead Magic: Prep ingredients the night before by chopping vegetables and coating beef, then refrigerate overnight for faster morning assembly.
• Meat Selection Prowess: Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for maximum tenderness and rich flavor development during slow cooking.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or rice flour when coating beef to make the entire recipe gluten-free without compromising texture.
• Veggie Boost Option: Experiment by adding mushrooms, celery, or sweet potatoes for extra nutrition and depth of flavor – swap ingredients based on seasonal availability.
• Low-Sodium Strategy: Use low-sodium beef broth and reduce added salt to create a heart-friendly version while maintaining delicious taste profile.

Best Ways to Serve Up Your Beef Stew

• Hearty Bread Companion: Serve this rich beef stew alongside thick slices of crusty sourdough or rustic French bread to soak up every delicious drop of savory broth.
• Cozy Family Dinner: Create a comforting meal by pairing the stew with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles for a classic, satisfying dinner that brings everyone to the table.
• Winter Warming Sidekick: Top the stew with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and serve with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the hearty meat and provide a fresh contrast.
• One-Pot Wonder Meal: Make this stew the star of a casual dinner party by setting out small bowls of extra garnishes like chopped chives, grated cheese, or crispy bacon bits, letting guests customize their bowls.

How to Store and Reheat Slow Cooker Beef Stew

• Smart Storage Solutions: Transfer cooled stew into airtight containers, keeping portions separate for easy reheating. Refrigerate up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Pack stew in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, removing excess air. Freeze for 2-3 months, maintaining rich taste and tender meat texture.
• Reheating Magic: Gently warm stew on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add small splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Microwave works well in small batches with occasional stirring.
• Ingredient Separation Strategy: Store vegetables and meat separately if possible to maintain individual textures. This prevents soggy vegetables and keeps each component tasting fresh when reheated.

Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

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

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Description

Hearty slow cooker beef stew brings comfort from classic American kitchens to your dining table. Rich beef and tender vegetables simmer gently, creating a warming meal you’ll savor with deep satisfaction.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (907 grams) beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 medium potatoes, diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups (946 milliliters) beef broth
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsps olive oil (for searing)
• 2 tbsps cornstarch + 2 tbsps water (for thickening, optional)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Dust beef cubes thoroughly with seasoned flour mixture, ensuring comprehensive coverage for optimal flavor and texture development.
2. Searing Stage: Heat olive oil in skillet and caramelize floured beef cubes, creating a robust golden crust that locks in succulent juices and intensifies meat’s natural flavors.
3. Vegetable Integration: Layer seared beef with chopped carrots, potatoes, onions, and minced garlic in slow cooker, establishing a hearty foundation for the stew’s complex flavor profile.
4. Flavor Amplification: Incorporate tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary, introducing deep umami notes and aromatic herbaceous undertones to the developing dish.
5. Liquid Infusion: Pour beef broth over ingredients, nestling a bay leaf within the mixture to gradually release its subtle nuanced essence throughout cooking process.
6. Slow Cooking Transformation: Program slow cooker to low temperature setting for 7-8 hours, allowing meat fibers to gradually break down into tender, melt-in-your-mouth morsels while vegetables absorb surrounding flavors.
7. Consistency Refinement: During final cooking hour, whisk cornstarch with water and gently fold into stew, creating a silky, luxurious sauce that coats each ingredient beautifully.
8. Final Flourish: Introduce green peas for vibrant color and fresh flavor contrast, remove bay leaf, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley to elevate the dish’s visual and gustatory appeal.
9. Serving Suggestion: Present steaming hot stew accompanied by crusty artisan bread, perfect for absorbing the rich, deeply developed sauce and completing this comforting culinary experience.

Notes

• Flour Coating Technique: Ensure beef cubes are uniformly dusted to create an even, crispy exterior that locks in moisture and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Searing Secrets: Use high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan to achieve deep golden-brown caramelization, which builds complex flavor foundations for the stew.
• Vegetable Selection Strategy: Cut root vegetables into consistent, chunky sizes to guarantee even cooking and prevent mushy texture during long slow-cooking process.
• Thickening Wisdom: Add cornstarch slurry gradually and stir gently to prevent lumps, creating a silky smooth sauce without compromising the stew’s rich, robust consistency.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 703 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg