Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

If there were ever a comfort food that could cure just about anything, it would be Slow Cooker Beef Stew. This hearty classic is brimming with tender beef, chunky vegetables, and a beautifully rich, savory broth—all made effortless thanks to your trusty slow cooker. There’s nothing better than coming home to an irresistible aroma and a one-pot dinner begging to be ladled into bowls!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Slow Cooker Beef Stew is a masterpiece of simple, classic ingredients that work together like magic. Each item on this list is chosen for the role it plays—whether that’s creating a buttery richness, a deep flavor, or that signature stew heartiness.

• Beef Stew Meat (2 ½ lbs): Chuck roast is ideal here—it melts into fork-tender bites after hours in the slow cooker.
• Black Pepper, Garlic Salt, Celery Salt: The trio for deep seasoning—these give the meat a punch of savory flavor right from the start.
• Flour (¼ cup): Helps brown the beef and gives the stew a slight natural thickness as it simmers.
• Olive Oil (3-6 tbsp): For searing the beef, which locks in juiciness and adds a delicious crust.
• Butter (3 tbsp, divided): Adds richness both while sautéing veggies and for finishing with a velvety sheen.
• Yellow Onions (2 cups, diced): Their sweetness rounds out the flavor base beautifully.
• Garlic (4 cloves, minced): The little aromatic that brings such warmth and depth.
• Red Wine (1 cup, cabernet sauvignon or merlot): Adds irresistible depth and balancing acidity—see notes for swaps or upgrades!
• Beef Broth (4 cups): The backbone of the stew’s savory flavor and body.
• Beef Bouillon Cubes (2): Boosts umami and that classic “stewy” taste.
• Worcestershire Sauce (2 tbsp): Just enough to add a little tang and richness.
• Tomato Paste (3 tbsp): Boosts the stew’s body and gives it a sweet, concentrated tomato flavor and gorgeous color.
• Carrots (5 medium, cut in chunks): They soak up all the broth and basically melt in your mouth.
• Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes (1 lb, halved or quartered): Potatoes that hold their shape and stay buttery, not mushy.
• Bay Leaves (2): For that hint of herbal, background flavor that defines a great beef stew.
• Rosemary (1 sprig): Just one sprig infuses the stew with fresh, woodsy aroma.
• Frozen Peas (1 cup): Stirred in right at the end for sweetness and that lovely pop of color.
• Cold Water + Cornstarch (¼ cup + 3 tbsp, optional): For those who love a thick, spoon-coating broth.
• Gravy Master (2–3 drops, optional): Makes the stew an even richer, deeper brown (purely for looks, but it’s fun!).

Variations

This Slow Cooker Beef Stew is your blank canvas for comfort food perfection—feel free to switch up the veggies, use what’s in your fridge, or tweak flavors to make it uniquely yours. It’s a friendly, forgiving recipe that invites experimentation, whether you want an Irish twist or just a way to sneak in more veggies!

• Guinness Beef Stew: Swap the red wine for extra stout Guinness and you instantly have a pub-inspired Irish stew!
• Veggie Bonanza: Add extra vegetables like celery, green beans, parsnips, or even sweet potatoes for more color and nutrition.
• Wine-Free Version: Replace the wine with more beef broth or red grape juice and a splash of red wine vinegar for acidity and depth.
• Gluten-Free Stew: Use a gluten-free flour blend for dredging the beef and swap cornstarch for flour as a thickener.

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Step 1: Prep and Season the Beef

Start by trimming your stew meat into generous 1-inch cubes, discarding any large areas of fat but keeping the marbled bits (that’s flavor!). Season the beef with the trio of black pepper, garlic salt, and celery salt, then sprinkle with flour and toss to get every piece lightly coated—this means a richer, silkier stew later on.

Step 2: Sear for Maximum Flavor

Heat a generous splash of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and quickly sear the beef in batches—just enough to get a brown crust on every side (don’t crowd the pan!). This caramelization makes the final Slow Cooker Beef Stew taste restaurant-worthy.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics

Drop the heat to medium, add a pat of butter, then toss in the diced onions. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes, then add the garlic for just one more minute. Deglaze the pan with a glug of wine, scraping up those irresistible browned bits—then pour it all into your slow cooker.

Step 4: Load Up the Slow Cooker

Add the browned beef, sautéed onions and garlic, broth, bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, carrots, potatoes, bay leaves, and rosemary sprig to your slow cooker. (Save the peas and cornstarch slurry for later—they go in at the end!) Give everything a gentle stir and set your slow cooker to work.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Stewy Perfection

Cook on low for 7 ½ to 8 hours (or high for 3 ½ to 4 hours) until the veggies are tender and the potatoes are just fork-soft. Your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly by now—don’t be surprised if everyone starts hovering nearby.

Step 6: Finish & Serve

In the last 15 minutes, stir in those tender green peas and fish out the bay leaves and rosemary stem. For an extra-luscious stew, swirl in a slurry of cornstarch and water to reach your perfect thickness, and finish by stirring in the last two tablespoons of cold butter. If you want a deeper color, a drop or two of Gravy Master does the trick!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Garnishes

The finishing flourish for Slow Cooker Beef Stew is as simple as a shower of fresh parsley or thyme—those tiny pops of green make your bowl look vibrant and inviting. I love sprinkling over a little cracked black pepper or even a swirl of crème fraîche for an extra luxe touch. If you like heat, a dash of hot sauce is surprisingly perfect, too.

Side Dishes

This is one of those meals that begs for something starchy to soak up every drop of the savory stew. Crusty bread (a must!), garlic mashed potatoes, fluffy egg noodles, or even a scoop of rice all work wonders. If you’re after something green, a simple leafy salad with a sharp vinaigrette provides a pop of freshness alongside the rich beef stew.

Creative Ways to Present

For family gatherings, serve your Slow Cooker Beef Stew in big, rustic bowls and let everyone ladle out their ideal portion, topping as they please. For a more elegant dinner, ladle stew into mini Dutch ovens or wide mugs and garnish each with a rosemary sprig. Or—my personal favorite—serve over creamy polenta for a showstopping comfort food feast!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers can be tucked away in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, often making day-two (or even day-three) Slow Cooker Beef Stew even more crave-worthy than when it’s fresh. Just be sure to cool it down fully before chilling to keep veggies from getting mushy.

Freezing

This stew freezes like a dream! Spoon portions into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, and you’ll have a ready-made cozy dinner whenever you need it. Don’t forget to label your containers—it’s amazing how similar frozen stews can look!

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the stew over low heat on the stove, stirring occasionally until hot throughout. Add a splash of beef broth or water if the stew has thickened up too much during chilling. If you’re in a rush, the microwave works well in bursts—just cover loosely and stir frequently for even heating.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I truly hope this Slow Cooker Beef Stew fills your kitchen with tantalizing aromas and brings your family back for seconds (and thirds!). It’s hearty, homey, and oh-so-satisfying—just the kind of recipe you’ll want to tuck into your regular rotation. Give it a try, and don’t forget to make it your own. Enjoy every cozy spoonful!

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