Print

Cozy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

slow cooker beef stew - featured image
Print Recipe

A hearty and tender slow cooker beef stew with root vegetables, perfect for warming up winter nights. This easy recipe features melt-in-your-mouth beef chunks and a rich, flavorful broth.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1½-inch cubes
  • 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into thick rounds
  • 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch/gluten-free blend for gluten-free)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Pat dry the beef chuck cubes with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Place the flour in a shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper. Toss the beef cubes in the flour mixture to coat evenly.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. In batches, brown the coated beef cubes on all sides for about 3-4 minutes per batch. Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté chopped onion, celery, and carrots until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic in the last minute, stirring to prevent burning. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker over the beef.
  4. Add potato chunks to the slow cooker. Pour in beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Sprinkle in thyme, add bay leaves, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently to distribute flavors.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are cooked through.
  7. About 30 minutes before serving, check stew thickness. If too thin, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into stew to thicken. Remove bay leaves before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Brown the beef before slow cooking to add depth of flavor and seal in juices. Cut vegetables into larger chunks to prevent them from becoming mushy. Season gradually and adjust salt at the end to avoid over-salting. Use cornstarch slurry to thicken stew near the end of cooking. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch or gluten-free blend. Can be adapted for pressure cooker (Instant Pot) with 35 minutes cooking time on high pressure and natural release.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef stew, beef stew recipe, winter comfort food, easy beef stew, slow cooker recipes, hearty stew, tender beef chunks

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/cozy-slow-cooker-beef-stew-recipe-easy-tender-chunks-perfect-for-winter/