If you want a comfort food classic that practically cooks itself and fills your home with an irresistible aroma, Slow Cooker Beef Stew is the dish you’ve been searching for! Tender beef, savory vegetables, and a rich, herby broth come together in this deeply satisfying meal that’s both simple and impressive. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or meal-prepping for the week, Slow Cooker Beef Stew offers big flavor and bigger comfort, all with a minimum of fuss.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Slow Cooker Beef Stew lies in its familiar but essential ingredients. Each one adds something special, from hearty texture to bold flavor, creating layers you can truly taste in every spoonful. Let’s walk through what you’ll need and why it matters:

Beef chuck: Choose well-marbled beef for that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and robust, meaty flavor.
All-purpose flour: Coating the beef helps create a subtly thickened stew and a gorgeous crust when browning the meat.
Salt: An absolute must to draw out flavors from the beef and vegetables.
Black pepper: A touch of heat that brightens up the richness of the stew.
Olive oil: Helps develop those delicious browned bits for extra depth and aroma.
Beef broth (low sodium): The soul of the stew, bringing all the savory elements together in each bite.
Tomato paste: Adds a welcome punch of umami and helps create the stew’s gorgeous color.
Worcestershire sauce: A secret ingredient that pumps up the savory backbone of the dish.
Garlic cloves: For a gentle, aromatic bite that makes the whole pot sing.
Dried thyme: Provides that unmistakable hint of earthiness and warmth.
Dried rosemary: Lends a fragrant, woodsy note that pairs perfectly with hearty beef.
Bay leaf: Releases subtle herbal essences as the stew simmers all day.
Carrots: Bring sweetness and vibrant color to balance the hearty flavors.
Potatoes: Classic stew thickeners that soak up all the broth’s goodness.
Celery stalks: Add depth and a hint of crunch to the final mix.
Onion: Sweet, savory, and essential for building a flavor base.
Frozen peas: Stirred in at the end for a burst of color and delicate sweetness.
Fresh parsley (optional): A sprinkle on top gives your stew a pop of freshness before serving.

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Step 1: Dredge and Brown the Beef

Start by tossing your beef cubes in a mixture of flour, salt, and pepper until every piece is covered. This does more than just add flavor—it helps thicken the stew later and promises a delightfully crispy texture when browning. Heating olive oil in a skillet, brown the beef in batches for just a few minutes per side, letting those beautiful caramelized bits develop. Patience here will reward you with an even richer, heartier flavor in your Slow Cooker Beef Stew.

Step 2: Deglaze and Layer the Flavor

Once you’ve browned your beef, don’t leave any flavor behind! Add a splash of beef broth to that same skillet, scraping up all those golden bits stuck at the bottom. Pour this liquid gold right into your slow cooker. It’s a simple step, but one that gives the broth unbelievable depth.

Step 3: Build the Stew Base

Now it’s time to assemble your Slow Cooker Beef Stew. Pour in the rest of the beef broth, along with tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and the bay leaf. Stir everything together to dissolve the paste and mix in all those herbs. This combination will slowly infuse every ingredient with warmth and savoriness as it cooks.

Step 4: Add the Veggies

Pile on the carrots, potatoes, celery, and onion—you can just scatter them right over the stew base. As everything simmers away, the vegetables release their sweetness and melt into the broth, making every bite comforting and balanced. Don’t worry about stirring now; the magic will happen as it cooks.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Pop the lid on your slow cooker and let it work its magic! Set on low for 8 to 9 hours for ultra-tender beef, or high for 4 to 5 hours if you’re short on time. Throughout this hands-off process, the flavors marry and the beef turns irresistible. In the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir in those frozen peas for a fresh pop of color and just-cooked texture. Before serving, remember to fish out the bay leaf!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Garnishes

A simple flourish of freshly chopped parsley on your Slow Cooker Beef Stew lifts the flavors and brightens the look. If you’re feeling a bit extra, add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a few twists of black pepper right before serving. Trust me, these tiny touches really make it feel special and restaurant-worthy.

Side Dishes

Pair this hearty stew with warm, crusty bread or a toasted baguette to soak up the savory broth—it’s pure comfort in every bite! A green salad tossed in a sharp vinaigrette is a classic contrast to the richness, and some folks even love a scoop of buttery mashed potatoes or rice on the side for ultimate coziness.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your Slow Cooker Beef Stew in rustic bowls for a farmhouse feel, or ladle it into individual bread bowls for a wow-worthy presentation. It’s also fun to host a “stew bar” with bowls of garnishes like sour cream, grated cheese, or spicy hot sauce so everyone can put their own spin on each bowl.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, tuck any leftover Slow Cooker Beef Stew into airtight containers and store them in the refrigerator. The flavors deepen as they sit, making reheated stew almost better the next day! It’ll stay delicious for up to 4 days, giving you an easy, satisfying lunch or dinner at the ready.

Freezing

If you want to plan ahead, Slow Cooker Beef Stew freezes beautifully. Spoon portions into freezer-safe bags or containers, label the date, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, and you’ll have a homemade meal waiting for those busy days—or unexpected guests!

Reheating

For best results, reheat your stew gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until hot throughout. If microwaving, cover loosely and heat in short bursts, stirring between each, to keep everything moist and delicious. Add a splash of broth or water if needed to restore that lovely, soupy texture.

FAQs

Can I skip browning the beef?

You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it! Browning the beef adds deep flavor and lovely color to the finished stew. If you’re short on time, at least try to brown a portion of the beef—you’ll taste the difference!

What are the best cuts of beef for this stew?

Beef chuck is king for Slow Cooker Beef Stew because it becomes incredibly tender after long, slow cooking. Still, stew meat, brisket, or even short ribs work well—just look for cuts with some fat marbling, which keeps the beef juicy.

How can I make this stew gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch (for dusting the beef), and check that your broth and Worcestershire sauce are gluten-free. The results are just as comforting and rich.

Can I add other vegetables?

Definitely! Mushrooms, parsnips, turnips, or sweet potatoes all roast well and taste fantastic in Slow Cooker Beef Stew. Just keep the total quantity similar so the stew stays thick and hearty.

Why are the peas added at the end?

Frozen peas add freshness and color, but they can get mushy if cooked too long. Stirring them in near the end keeps their bright green hue and just-tender texture—which makes every bite pop.

Final Thoughts

If you’re seeking a dish that warms you from the inside out and requires barely any hands-on time, you truly can’t beat Slow Cooker Beef Stew. Give it a try—you’ll want to make it part of your regular dinner rotation, guaranteed!

Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Slow Cooker Beef Stew is a hearty and comforting meal perfect for cozy nights. Tender chunks of beef simmered with vegetables in a flavorful broth until everything is perfectly cooked. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy!

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Stew:

2 pounds beef chuck (cut into 1½-inch cubes)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil

Broth:

4 cups beef broth (low sodium)
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
4 garlic cloves (minced)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 bay leaf

Vegetables:

4 medium carrots (peeled and chopped)
3 medium potatoes (peeled and diced)
2 celery stalks (chopped)
1 large onion (chopped)
1 cup frozen peas (added at the end)

Garnish:

fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Coat Beef: Toss beef cubes with flour, salt, and pepper. Brown in a skillet and transfer to the slow cooker.
Deglaze Pan: Add a splash of broth to the skillet, scraping up browned bits. Pour into the slow cooker.
Add Ingredients: Combine remaining broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, herbs. Add vegetables on top.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8–9 hours or on high for 4–5 hours. Add peas in the last 15 minutes.
Serve: Discard bay leaf and garnish with parsley.

Notes

For a thicker stew, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into the stew during the last 30 minutes.
This recipe freezes well for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American