Print

Cozy Spooky Slow Cooker Beef Stew – Easy Halloween Dinner

cozy spooky slow cooker beef stew - featured image
Print Recipe

A deeply comforting, rich, and slightly mysterious beef stew perfect for Halloween. Made in the slow cooker with tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a smoky, wine-infused broth, it’s the ultimate hands-off meal for a spooky night.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs beef chuck stew meat, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 3 celery stalks, cut into 1-inch slices
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
  • 4 cups beef broth, low-sodium
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (optional slurry)

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef chuck cubes completely dry with paper towels. Season generously on all sides with salt and black pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sear the beef cubes for 2-3 minutes per side until a deep brown crust forms. Transfer seared beef to the slow cooker.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion to the same skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Scrape into the slow cooker.
  4. Pour red wine into the hot skillet and scrape up browned bits. Let bubble and reduce for about 1 minute. Add to the slow cooker.
  5. To the slow cooker, add beef broth, diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato paste, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.
  6. Add carrot chunks, celery slices, and potato chunks to the slow cooker. Stir to submerge in broth.
  7. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
  8. About 15 minutes before serving, stir in frozen peas. If desired, make a cornstarch slurry and stir into the stew; let cook for 5-10 minutes until thickened. Remove bay leaves before serving.
  9. Let stew rest for 5 minutes off heat. Ladle into bowls and serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

Searing the beef is crucial for deep flavor. Use a good quality beef chuck. For a thicker broth, mash some cooked potatoes or use a cornstarch slurry. Season at the end to avoid over-salting. The stew tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween dinner, slow cooker beef stew, cozy stew, spooky stew, beef stew, easy dinner, comfort food, fall recipe

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/cozy-spooky-slow-cooker-beef-stew-easy-halloween-dinner/