Description
This Slow Cooker Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food! Tender chunks of beef, hearty vegetables, and a savory broth come together in this rich and flavorful stew, all cooked to perfection in your slow cooker. It’s the perfect meal for busy days when you want a cozy, satisfying dinner with minimal effort. Just throw everything in the pot, let it cook, and you’ll have a warm, hearty meal ready to enjoy by the end of the day.
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Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs beef stew meat (chuck or round roast, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 4 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for a lighter version)
- 3 medium potatoes, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons flour (for thickening)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing the beef)
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef stew meat in batches (don’t overcrowd the pan) and sear until browned on all sides. This step adds extra flavor to the stew. Once browned, transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables
Add the diced potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic to the slow cooker with the beef. Give everything a quick stir.
Step 3: Make the Stew Base
In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker. Stir everything together.
Step 4: Let it Cook
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
Step 5: Thicken the Stew (Optional)
In the last 30 minutes of cooking, mix the flour with a little bit of water to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the stew to help thicken the broth. If you prefer a thicker stew, you can add more flour.
Step 6: Serve & Garnish
Once the stew is done cooking, discard the bay leaf. Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and flavor.
Notes
- Sear the Beef: Don’t skip the searing step! It creates a deep, rich flavor that really enhances the stew.
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like peas, parsnips, or turnips for a different twist.
- Adjust the Seasoning: Taste the stew before serving and adjust the salt and pepper if needed. Sometimes the broth can be a bit salty, so add seasonings sparingly.
- Make it Gluten-Free: To make the stew gluten-free, use cornstarch instead of flour to thicken the broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-8 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
- Cuisine: American