Here’s a rich, hearty slow cooker beef stew that’s easy and reliable.
🥘 Classic Slow Cooker Beef Stew
🛒 Ingredients
- 2–2½ lbs beef chuck, cut into chunks
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 3–4 potatoes, cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 tbsp flour (for thickening)
- Salt & pepper
- Optional: 1 cup mushrooms, 1 cup peas (add peas at end)
🔥 Instructions
1. (Optional but recommended) Brown the beef
Season with salt and pepper, then sear in a hot pan with oil for 3–4 minutes per side. This adds deep flavor.
2. Add to slow cooker
Place beef, carrots, potatoes, onion, and garlic in the slow cooker.
3. Mix liquid
Whisk together broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire, thyme, and rosemary. Pour over everything.
4. Cook
- LOW: 8–9 hours
- HIGH: 4–5 hours
Beef should be fork-tender.
5. Thicken
Mix 2 tbsp flour with a little cold water to make a slurry. Stir in during the last 30 minutes.
(Or mash a few potatoes directly in the stew for a more natural thickener.)
6. Add peas (if using)
Stir in during the last 15 minutes.
🧂 Flavor Boost Options
- Splash of red wine with the broth
- Bay leaf (remove before serving)
- Fresh parsley on top
- Dash of balsamic vinegar at the end
If you’d like, tell me:
- Do you prefer thick and gravy-like or more brothy?
- Do you have any special ingredients on hand?
