Description
Slow Cooker Beef Stew with succulent beef, hearty vegetables, and rich flavors – easy, comforting, and perfect for a crowd.
Ingredients
- beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- all-purpose flour
- salt
- black pepper
- olive oil
- large onion (about 1 cup/150g), roughly chopped
- garlic cloves, minced
- beef broth
- tomato paste
- Worcestershire sauce
- dried thyme
- bay leaves
- carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
- celery stalks, chopped
- baby potatoes, halved
- frozen peas
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Beef Pat the beef chunks dry with paper towels – this is essential for proper browning. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and pepper, then toss the beef in this mixture until evenly coated. This light dredging will help thicken your Slow Cooker Beef Stew naturally as it cooks.
- Step 2: Sear the Meat Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Working in small batches (about 1/3 of the meat at a time), sear the beef on all sides until deeply browned, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the browned meat to your slow cooker. Don’t rush this process – proper browning builds incredible flavor!
- Step 3: Sauté Aromatics In the same skillet with the remaining beef fat, add the onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in about 1/2 cup of the beef broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Transfer this mixture to your slow cooker.
- Step 4: Combine All Ingredients Add the carrots, celery, and potatoes to the slow cooker. In a bowl, whisk together the remaining beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and dried thyme. Pour this mixture over the meat and vegetables. Add the bay leaves and stir gently to combine everything.
- Step 5: Slow Cook Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are cooked through. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the frozen peas. Remove the bay leaves before serving your delicious Slow Cooker Beef Stew.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 380 calories per serving
- Sugar: 7 grams
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 14 grams
- Saturated Fat: 5 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 22 grams
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Protein: 38 grams
- Cholesterol: 105 mg