Hearty Winter Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe – Simmered to Bliss

Beef lovers rejoice as this slow cooker beef stew recipe promises comfort in every spoonful.

Tender chunks of meat melt into a rich, savory broth that warms you from the inside out.

Packed with robust vegetables and deeply seasoned flavors, this hearty slow cooker beef stew delivers a classic meal that feels like a warm embrace.

The magic happens when simple ingredients transform into a deeply satisfying dish that simmers all day.

Robust and rustic, this stew turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Each bite tells a story of home-cooked goodness and traditional cooking.

You’ll want to savor every delicious spoonful of this soul-warming meal.

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew

• Prepare the Meat

Dust beef cubes with a light coating of seasoned flour, ensuring each piece is evenly covered for a rich, golden crust.

• Brown the Beef

Sizzle beef in a hot skillet with olive oil, creating a delicious caramelized exterior that locks in deep, savory flavors.

• Build Your Flavor Base

Toss beef into the slow cooker and surround it with hearty vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a splash of zesty Worcestershire sauce.

• Let the Magic Happen

Slow cook the stew on low heat for several hours, allowing ingredients to meld together and transform into a comforting, tender masterpiece.

• Final Touches

Thicken the stew with a quick cornstarch mixture and add sweet green peas for a pop of color and freshness.

• Serve and Savor

Discard the bay leaf, sprinkle with fresh herbs, and enjoy your rich, warming stew alongside crusty, rustic bread.

Helpful Beef Stew Cooking Tips & Swaps

• Beef Broth Balance: Adjust the amount of beef broth based on your preferred stew consistency – less liquid creates a thicker, heartier stew, while more liquid keeps it soupy and light.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire stew the night before, refrigerate overnight, and start slow cooking in the morning for deeper, richer flavors that develop over time.
• Meat Selection Matters: Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for maximum tenderness and rich flavor. Trim excess fat before cooking to prevent greasy results.
• Vegetarian Twist: Replace beef with hearty plant-based alternatives like portobello mushrooms, seitan, or firm tofu cubes. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a complete vegetarian transformation.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Swap wheat flour for cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend when coating beef to make the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities. Double-check that Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free, or use a dedicated gluten-free version.

Serving Suggestions for Hearty Beef Stew

• Rustic Bread Companion: Slice a thick, warm baguette or crusty sourdough to soak up the rich, savory broth. The bread's crispy edges and soft center perfectly complement the tender beef and hearty vegetables.
• Cozy Side Salad: Prepare a light green salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the stew's richness. The fresh, crisp salad cuts through the warm, comforting flavors of the beef stew.
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Serve the stew over smooth, buttery mashed potatoes for an ultimate comfort meal. The creamy potatoes absorb the delicious stew sauce, creating a luxurious and satisfying dining experience.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Choose a robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to enhance the deep, meaty flavors of the stew. The wine's bold notes will elevate the entire dining experience and complement the dish's hearty profile.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew: Store & Reheat Right

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover beef stew in airtight containers, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool the stew completely before sealing to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Portion the stew into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. Label with the date and contents. Freeze up to 3 months for quick future meals. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Warm the stew gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent drying. Microwave works for quick single servings, stirring halfway through heating.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare the entire batch in advance, dividing into individual portions. These grab-and-go meals work perfectly for busy weekdays, offering a hearty, home-cooked dinner in minutes without compromising taste or quality.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes into Slow Cooker Beef Stew

• Beef Cubes: Tender meat cuts that form the hearty foundation of the stew, best chosen from chuck or round roast for maximum flavor and tenderness.
• Flour: Helps create a crispy exterior on beef and naturally thickens the stew's sauce with a silky texture.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that provides deep, savory undertones and enhances overall stew complexity.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that adds richness and depth, creating a robust background taste.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Tangy condiment that introduces umami and brings a subtle complexity to the meat's flavor profile.
• Thyme, Rosemary, Bay Leaf: Herbaceous seasonings that infuse earthy, woodland notes and traditional stew characteristics.

• Carrots, Potatoes: Hearty vegetables that absorb stew flavors while providing nutritional value and satisfying texture.
• Beef Broth: Liquid base that helps tenderize meat and creates a rich, warm cooking environment.
• Cornstarch: Optional thickening agent that gives the stew a luxurious, velvety consistency.
• Frozen Peas: Adds bright color, sweet freshness, and nutritional boost at the end of cooking.
• Fresh Parsley: Vibrant garnish that introduces a pop of color and light, herbal finish.
• Olive Oil: Helps sear meat and prevents sticking during initial cooking stage.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the stew's overall taste profile.

Essential Tools for Beef Stew in the Crockpot

• Slow Cooker: Essential for long, gentle cooking that tenderizes beef and blends flavors perfectly.
• Skillet: Critical for searing beef and creating a delicious golden-brown crust before slow cooking.
• Large Bowl: Needed for coating beef cubes with flour and seasonings.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Important for accurately measuring ingredients like flour, salt, and broth.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Useful for stirring ingredients and combining everything in the slow cooker.
• Cutting Board: Required for chopping vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions.
• Sharp Knife: Necessary for precise vegetable and meat preparation.
• Cornstarch Mixing Container: Helps create a smooth thickening mixture for the stew.

Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

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

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Description

This hearty slow cooker beef stew recipe brings comfort from the first spoonful to the last. Rich beef, tender vegetables, and savory broth create a satisfying meal you’ll savor with joy.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (907 g) beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 cups beef broth
• 3 medium potatoes, diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 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 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Thoroughly coat beef cubes with seasoned flour, ensuring comprehensive coverage for maximum flavor absorption and ideal textural development.
2. Searing: Heat olive oil in a skillet and meticulously brown beef chunks, creating a caramelized exterior that intensifies the stew’s depth and complexity.
3. Layering: Strategically arrange carrots, potatoes, onions, and minced garlic in the slow cooker, distributing aromatic ingredients to ensure balanced flavor throughout the dish.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Blend tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf into the mixture, amplifying the meat’s inherent richness and creating a sophisticated flavor profile.
5. Liquid Integration: Gently pour beef broth over the ingredients, delicately stirring to harmonize all components and establish a robust cooking foundation.
6. Slow Cooking: Simmer the stew on low temperature for 7-8 hours, allowing meat fibers to break down completely and develop intensely mellow, complex flavors.
7. Finishing Touches: Introduce a cornstarch slurry to incrementally thicken the stew, transforming the liquid into a luxurious, silky consistency while stirring gently.
8. Final Addition: Incorporate frozen peas during the last cooking moments, infusing the dish with vibrant color and a burst of fresh flavor.
9. Presentation: Extract the bay leaf and garnish with freshly chopped parsley, creating a visually stunning and aromatic meal perfect for serving with crusty artisan bread.

Notes

• Select Meat Wisely: Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for maximum tenderness and rich flavor during slow cooking.
• Flour Coating Technique: Pat beef dry before flouring to ensure crisp, even browning and prevent soggy texture in the final stew.
• Searing is Crucial: Never skip the browning step, as it develops complex caramelized flavors that transform the entire dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Liquid Balance: Use just enough broth to cover ingredients, preventing a watery consistency and maintaining intense flavor concentration.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg