Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons oil
high smoke point variety, divided
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
for dredging
- 2 1/2-3 pounds beef chuck roast or stew meat
cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 cups beef broth or stock
- 1/3 cup apple cider or apple juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons salt
divided
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
or 2-3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 cups bite-sized Yukon gold potatoes
about 1-pound
- 2 cups bite sized carrots
about 5-7
- 1 1/2 cups diced yellow or sweet onion
about 1 large
- 1 cup bite-sized cut celery
about 2-3 stalks
- Optional: cornstarch for thickening
Directions
- 1
Season beef on all sides with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. In a shallow bowl, toss the seasoned beef with flour until they have a thin coating on each side.
- 2
Heat oil in a large skillet on high heat. Once hot, add the beef in a single layer and cook until browned on all sides. Don't over crowd the pan, leaving about 1 inch space between the beef. Cook beef in batches, adding a tablespoon of oil between batches. Remove and set aside.
- 3
In the same skillet, sauté the onion until lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes.
- 4
To a Crockpot, whisk together beef broth, apple cider or juice, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, remaining salt and black pepper, and seasonings. Once combined, add the vegetables and seared meat.
- 5
Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 7-8 hours.
- 6
Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasonings and thickness as desired. Whisk in a cornstarch slurry of 1 to 2 tablespoons each cornstarch and broth or water if you desire a thicker texture. Garnish with parsley.
Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew
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About this Recipe
Craving a deeply comforting, hearty meal that practically cooks itself? This Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew delivers rich, cozy flavors with minimal effort, perfect for any weeknight. With just 30 minutes of hands-on prep, you're set for a satisfying dinner.
The beauty of this stew lies in its simplicity and the magic of slow cooking. By allowing the crockpot to do the hard work, you achieve incredibly tender beef and perfectly cooked vegetables infused with savory seasonings. This method ensures maximum flavor development with minimal fuss, making it a reliable recipe you'll turn to again and again.
You can expect a deeply savory, warming stew with fall-apart tender beef chuck or stew meat, and root vegetables like Yukon gold potatoes and carrots that are soft yet hold their shape. The broth is rich and flavorful, a perfect balance from the beef broth, a touch of apple cider or apple juice for brightness, and a hint of Worcestershire sauce. It's an incredibly satisfying and wholesome dish, ideal for those evenings when you need a comforting meal without the constant attention.
For a slight twist, you can easily swap the apple cider for apple juice if that's what you have on hand. If you prefer, fresh minced garlic can be used instead of garlic powder. This recipe is also easily adaptable; if you like a thicker stew, you have the option to add cornstarch at the end to achieve your desired consistency.
This beef stew is a wonderful option for cozy family dinners or to meal prep for the week ahead. Serve it piping hot with a slice of toasted bread or alongside a hearty sandwich to soak up every last drop of the delicious, savory broth.