Ah, the classic Hearty and Tender Slow Cooker Beef Stew — rich, comforting, and perfect for chilly days. 🥩🥕🥔
Slow cooking transforms tough beef into melt-in-your-mouth bites and makes the broth thick, savory, and full of flavor.
Here’s a tried-and-true recipe that’ll make your house smell amazing all day 👇
🍲 Hearty and Tender Slow Cooker Beef Stew
🛒 Ingredients:
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2 lbs beef stew meat (chuck roast, cubed)
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3 tbsp all-purpose flour
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1½ tsp salt
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1 tsp black pepper
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2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
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4 cups beef broth
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3 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
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3 potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
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2 celery stalks, chopped
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1 onion, diced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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2 tbsp tomato paste
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1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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1 tsp dried thyme
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1 tsp dried rosemary
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1 bay leaf
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Optional: 1 cup frozen peas, added at the end for color and sweetness
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Brown the Beef (optional but worth it):
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Toss the beef with flour, salt, and pepper until coated.
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Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Brown beef cubes in batches until golden on all sides (don’t overcrowd).
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Transfer browned beef to your slow cooker.
2. Build the Flavor:
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In the same skillet, add onion and garlic.
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Sauté 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
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Stir in tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce — cook another minute to deepen the flavor.
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Pour in about ½ cup beef broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits.
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Transfer everything to the slow cooker.
3. Load the Slow Cooker:
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Add carrots, potatoes, celery, remaining broth, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf.
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Stir gently to combine.
4. Slow Cook:
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Low: 7–8 hours
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High: 4–5 hours
(Until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.)
5. Finish:
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Stir in peas (if using) for the last 15 minutes.
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Taste and adjust seasoning — add more salt or pepper as needed.
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Remove bay leaf before serving.
🍽️ Serving Ideas:
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Serve hot with crusty bread or buttered biscuits.
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Sprinkle with fresh parsley for color.
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For an extra-thick stew, mash a few potatoes in the pot before serving.
💡 Tips:
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Use chuck roast — it’s marbled, flavorful, and perfect for slow cooking.
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For a richer stew, stir in a splash of red wine with the broth.
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Want it creamier? Add a spoonful of mashed potatoes or cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp cold water) near the end.
Would you like me to give you a red wine version or a homestyle tomato-based version next?
