Ultimate Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe: Hearty, Flavorful, and Easy to Make

There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of slow cooker beef stew to chase away the chill on a cozy evening. This hearty dish, with its tender chunks of beef and a medley of vegetables, has roots in traditional home cooking, making it a beloved favorite across generations. The magic of a slow cooker transforms simple ingredients into a rich, flavorful meal that practically cooks itself.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Creating a flavorful slow cooker beef stew is simple and rewarding. Follow these detailed steps to achieve a rich and hearty meal that warms your soul.

Ingredients

Gather these ingredients for a rich and hearty slow cooker beef stew that requires minimal effort and promises maximum flavor.

Meat

2 pounds beef chuck roast
Trim excess fat
Cut into 1-inch cubes

Vegetables

4 medium carrots
Peel and slice into 1/2-inch rounds
3 medium potatoes
Peel and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 stalks celery
Trim and chop into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium onion
Chop into small pieces
3 cloves garlic
Minced

Seasonings

1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon paprika
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper to taste

4 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

Follow these steps to create a delicious slow cooker beef stew that will warm your soul. Each step is designed to ensure maximum flavor and ease of preparation.

Trim and Cut Beef: Start by trimming any excess fat from 2 pounds of beef chuck roast. Cut the beef into 1-inch cubes for even cooking.
Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the beef cubes in batches to avoid overcrowding. Brown the beef on all sides for about 5 minutes. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the chopped vegetables: 4 medium carrots (sliced), 2 stalks of celery (diced), 1 medium onion (chopped), and 3 cloves of garlic (minced). Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened.
Combine Ingredients: In the slow cooker, place the browned beef and sautéed vegetables. Add 3 medium potatoes (cubed), 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add Liquid: Pour in 4 cups of beef broth to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
Set Cooking Time: Place the lid on the slow cooker. Choose the low setting for 8 hours or the high setting for 4 hours.
Thickening Option: If you prefer a thicker stew, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir this mixture into the stew about 30 minutes before cooking time ends.
Serve: Once the cooking time is complete, check the seasoning. Adjust if necessary. Ladle the stew into bowls and enjoy your hearty meal.

Cook

The cooking process is essential for achieving a rich and flavorful slow cooker beef stew. Follow these steps to ensure perfect results.

Browning the Meat

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the 2 pounds of trimmed and cubed beef chuck roast in the skillet. Avoid overcrowding the pan; if necessary, brown the beef in batches. Sear the meat for about 3 to 4 minutes per side until it’s deeply browned. This caramelization adds essential flavor to your stew. Once browned, remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside.

Combining Ingredients in Slow Cooker

In the same skillet, add the sautéed vegetables—1 medium chopped onion, 3 cloves of minced garlic, 4 chopped medium carrots, 2 chopped medium potatoes, and 2 chopped stalks of celery. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until they begin to soften.

Transfer the browned beef and sautéed vegetables to your slow cooker. Pour in 4 cups of beef broth and add the seasonings: 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together to combine.

Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Set it to low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Ensure you check the seasoning during the last hour of cooking, adjusting to taste. If desired, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this into the stew during the last 30 minutes to thicken it. Enjoy the tantalizing aromas that will fill your kitchen as it cooks.

Assemble

Now it’s time to bring all your ingredients together to create a delicious slow cooker beef stew.

Adding Broth and Seasonings

Begin by pouring in 4 cups of beef broth over the browned beef and sautéed vegetables. The broth acts as the foundation of the stew, infusing each element with rich flavor. Next, sprinkle in the seasonings: add 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce. These ingredients enhance the depth of flavor and provide a comforting aroma. Stir the mixture gently to ensure even distribution of the seasonings and broth. This step is crucial as it helps each bite of stew burst with savory richness.

Simmer

Now it’s time to let your slow cooker do the work. The simmering process will deepen the flavors of your beef stew and create a comforting, aromatic dish.

Cooking Time and Temperature

For the best results, set your slow cooker to one of the following options:

Setting	Cooking Time
Low	8 hours
High	4 hours

If you choose the low setting, this gives the flavors ample time to meld together, resulting in a rich stew. If you’re pressed for time, the high setting cooks your stew in half the time while still delivering delicious results. Be sure to check on the stew during the last hour of cooking to taste the seasoning, adjusting as needed for a perfect balance of flavors.

Equipment Needed

To prepare your slow cooker beef stew, gather the following essential equipment:

Slow Cooker: A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for this recipe, allowing ample space for all ingredients and ensuring even cooking.
Skillet: A large skillet is necessary for browning the beef and sautéing the vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker.
Cutting Board: Use a sturdy cutting board for safely chopping vegetables and trimming the beef.
Chef’s Knife: A sharp chef’s knife will make quick work of slicing your vegetables and beef for precision and ease.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements of ingredients are crucial for flavor balance; measuring cups for liquids and spoons for seasonings will help.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Use a wooden spoon or spatula for stirring and combining your stew ingredients either in the skillet or slow cooker.
Ladle: A ladle helps in serving the stew once it is cooked, ensuring you scoop each savory portion with ease.
Tongs: Sturdy tongs are useful for handling the beef when browning and transferring it to the slow cooker.
Serving Bowls: Prepare a few individual serving bowls for an inviting presentation of your hearty beef stew.

Having these tools at hand will streamline the cooking process and help you create a deliciously comforting slow cooker beef stew.

Make-Ahead Instructions

To simplify your meal prep and enjoy a delicious slow cooker beef stew with minimal effort, consider these make-ahead instructions.

Prep Your Ingredients: Chop your vegetables and trim the beef chuck roast ahead of time. Store the sliced carrots, potatoes, celery, and onion in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Cut your beef into bite-sized pieces and place it in a separate container. This step will save you valuable time on the day you plan to cook.
Marinate the Beef: For enhanced flavor, marinate the beef overnight. Combine the cubed beef with Worcestershire sauce and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Seal it in a bag or container and refrigerate. This pre-seasoning allows the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Assemble the Stew: If you prefer, you can assemble the stew the night before. In your slow cooker, layer the browned beef, sautéed vegetables, broth, and seasonings. Cover and refrigerate overnight. On cooking day, simply remove the pot from the fridge and set it in the slow cooker base. This method guarantees a fresh and hearty stew waiting for you.
Freeze for Later: If you want to prepare ahead even further, consider freezing the stewed ingredients. Combine the beef, vegetables, broth, and seasonings in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label it with the date and contents. When ready to use, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then transfer to the slow cooker on cooking day.
Timing for Cooking: Adjust your cooking time based on your ingredients’ temperature. If starting from refrigerated or frozen, ensure the ingredients reach room temperature before beginning to cook. Expect a longer cooking time for frozen ingredients, typically adding about 30 minutes to each setting.

By following these steps, your slow cooker beef stew will be ready in no time, making your cooking experience smooth and enjoyable.

Conclusion

Slow cooker beef stew is the perfect dish for those chilly evenings when you crave something warm and hearty. With minimal effort you can create a meal that’s rich in flavor and comforting for the whole family. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the way it brings together fresh ingredients to create a satisfying experience.

Whether you choose to prepare it ahead of time or let it simmer while you go about your day the result is always a delicious stew that warms both your heart and home. Enjoy the delightful aromas filling your kitchen and savor each spoonful of this classic comfort food.