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slow cooker beef stew

Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe

Hearty crockpot beef stew with tender beef, vegetables, and rich broth, easy, comforting, and slow-cooked to perfection.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs stew meat or chuck roast cut into cubes
  • 4 –5 carrots sliced
  • 3 –4 potatoes cut into chunks
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 –2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup frozen peas added toward the end
  • Salt pepper, thyme, rosemary
  • Bay leaves

Method
 

Step 1 – Prep the Beef
  1. If you want a deeper flavor, you can brown the beef in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker. This step is optional, but browning adds a toasty layer of flavor.
  2. Pat the beef dry so it browns properly.
  3. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Sear briefly on all sides until it forms a crust.
  5. If you’re pressed for time, you can skip this step. The stew will still turn out delicious.
Step 2 – Layer Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
  1. Add ingredients in this order:
  2. Potatoes
  3. Carrots
  4. Onions
  5. Garlic
  6. Beef
  7. This prevents delicate ingredients from becoming mushy.
Step 3 – Add Broth and Seasonings
  1. Whisk the broth with the tomato paste until smooth. Add it over the beef. Then sprinkle thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Add Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves.
  2. Everything should be just covered with liquid. If it looks too dry, pour in a little more broth.
Step 4 – Cook Until Tender
  1. Turn your slow cooker on:
  2. LOW for 7–8 hours
  3. HIGH for 4–5 hours
  4. The longer the cooking time, the more tender your beef becomes.
Step 5 – Thicken the Stew
  1. You can thicken the broth using:
  2. A cornstarch slurry (2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water)
  3. A scoop of mashed potatoes
  4. A small amount of flour mixed with broth
  5. Stir gently and allow it to cook another 15–20 minutes.
Step 6 – Add Peas and Adjust Seasoning
  1. Add frozen peas during the last half-hour so they stay bright and fresh. Taste and adjust salt or seasoning if needed.