Beef Stew Crockpot Recipes

Everyone’s favorite cozy beef stew made in the crockpot! The meat is SO TENDER and the stew is rich, chunky + hearty!

There is truly nothing more comforting than a hearty beef stew on a cold, cold night. And it’s even better when it’s been simmering low and slow in your crockpot for the last 7-8 hours.

Aside from searing your stew meat to give it that really nice caramelized flavor, this recipe requires zero babysitting (thank you, slow cooker!). All you need to prep is your crusty bread for dipping, a glass of red wine, and a side salad to round out your meal.

If you are short on time, there is a stovetop and an Instant Pot version also available.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

This traditional Beef Stew is loaded with tender bites of juicy beef, golden potatoes, carrots, peas, red wine, onions, garlic, and a hearty beef broth. It’s the BEST Slow Cooker recipe for Fall and Winter.

Prep: 20min

Total: 260min

Yield: 6

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 507 kcal, Carbohydrate 35 g, Protein 49 g, Fat 18 g, Saturated Fat 7 g, Cholesterol 132 mg, Sodium 1035 mg, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 7 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ pounds stew meat (see notes)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic salt
• ½ teaspoon celery salt
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3-6 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 Tablespoons cold butter (separated)
• 2 cups yellow onion (diced)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup high-quality cabernet sauvignon (merlot works as well. See notes.)
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tsp better than bouillon (or 2 beef bouillon cubes)
• 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
• 3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
• 5 medium carrots (cut into chunks, about 1-inch)
• 1 lb. baby Yukon gold potatoes (halved or quartered)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup Cold Water + 3 tablespoons Corn Starch (Optional)
• 2-3 drops Gravy Master ((Optional)- Adds an even richer darker color.)

Instruction:

1. Cut meat into 1-inch cubes, discard any large pieces of fat. Fat marbleized into the meat is fine!
2. Sprinkle beef with black pepper, garlic salt, and celery salt. Toss to coat. Sprinkle flour over the meat and toss again.
3. Heat 3 Tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meat in batches, don’t overcrowd the pan. Brown on each side for 45 seconds. Add more oil if needed. Transfer to slow cooker.
4. Reduce heat to medium and melt 1 Tablespoon butter. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Use a silicone spatula to clean the bottom of the pan, removing any brown remnants. This will give the soup lots of good flavor. If necessary, add a splash of wine to help loosen it. Transfer the onions/garlic mixture to the slow cooker.
5. Add all remaining ingredients except for the peas, corn starch mixture, and 2 tablespoons of cold butter.
6. Cook on low for 7 ½ to 8 hours or high for 3½ to 4 hours, until the vegetables are softened and the potatoes are fork tender.
7. Add the peas during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Remove the bay leaves and rosemary stem.
8. Optional: To thicken, combine ¼ cup COLD water with 3 Tablespoons of cornstarch. Slowly add it to the stew, stirring to incorporate. It will continue to thicken upon standing.
9. Turn off the heat. Swirl in 2 tablespoons of cold butter for a smooth, velvety finish. This is a technique that chefs use called “Monter au Beurre”.Optional: Add 3 drops of Gravy Master (or Kitchen Bouquet) for an even darker color.

Crock Pot Beef Stew

CrockPot Beef Stew is one of my all-time favorite one-pot meals. It’s filling, delicious, and the family always loves it!

Prep: 20min

Total: 260min

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 2 cups

Nutrition Facts: calories 360 kcal, Carbohydrate 23 g, Protein 27 g, Fat 19 g, Saturated Fat 6 g, Cholesterol 78 mg, Sodium 429 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 5 g, servingSize 2 cups, Trans Fat 1 g, unSaturated Fat 12 g

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds beef chuck ( or stewing beef)
• 3 tablespoons flour
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups beef broth (*see note)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 3 cups potatoes (peeled and cubed)
• 2 cups carrots (cut into 1 inch pieces)
• 1 cup celery (cut into 1 inch pieces)
• 1 cup vegetable juice (such as V8)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or 1 sprig fresh)
• ½ teaspoon thyme (or 2 sprigs fresh)
• ¾ cup peas
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

Instruction:

1. Combine flour, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of salt & ½ teaspoon of black pepper to taste. Toss the beef in the flour mixture.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium high heat in a large frying pan or skillet. Add the beef and brown in batches, about 2 minutes per side. Place the beef in the bottom of a 6qt slow cooker.
3. Reduce the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Add the onion and cook until tender. Add the onion to the slow cooker.
4. Add 1 cup of beef broth (or red wine per the recipe notes below) to the pan and scrape up any brown bits with a spatula.
5. Add the broth to the slow cooker along with the remaining 3 cups of broth, potatoes, carrots, celery, vegetable juice, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper.
6. Cook on high 4-5 hours or on low 8-9 hours or until beef is tender.
7. Mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water. Stir into the stew a little bit at a time to thicken (you may not need all of the cornstarch mixture). Stir in peas.
8. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until thickened and heated through. Season with salt & pepper.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Everyone’s favorite cozy beef stew made in the crockpot! The meat is SO TENDER and the stew is rich, chunky + hearty!

Prep: 15min

Total: 530min

Yield: 8

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pounds stew meat (cut into 1-inch cubes)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 pound baby red potatoes (quartered)
• 4 carrots (cut diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Instruction:

1. Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat.
2. Season beef with salt and pepper, to taste. Add beef to the skillet and cook until evenly browned, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Place beef, potatoes, carrots, onion and garlic into a 6-qt slow cooker. Stir in beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire, thyme, rosemary, paprika, caraway seeds and bay leaves until well combined; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
4. Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together flour and 1/2 cup stew broth. Stir in flour mixture into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high heat for an additional 30 minutes, or until thickened.*
6. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe

FAQ

What is the secret to tender beef stew?

Can you put raw beef in slow cooker?

Why is my beef stew tough in slow cooker?

Should stew be covered with liquid in slow cooker?