Beef stew is a comfort food classic that is universally adored. My slow cooker version means you can start it in the morning and come home at the end of the day with dinner waiting for you! Love slow cooker recipes as much as I do? Don’t miss my slow cooker beef stroganoff and slow cooker apricot chicken!
How To Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew
To make this slow cooker beef stew, start by heating olive oil in a skillet and browning the beef in the oil. Simply sear the beef until the sides turn golden brown. The middle of the beef will not be cooked yet. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Place the browned beef in a slow cooker along with sliced carrots, diced onion, potato chunks, beef broth, tomato paste, herbs and spices. Cover and simmer the stew a few hours until the meat gets tender. Next, add mixture of flour and stew liquid so that the stew can thicken. Next, add your frozen peas and let them thaw. Add a sprinkle of parsley, then serve and enjoy. Enjoy this slow cooker beef stew with amazing side dishes and salads like cheesy pull apart bread, pear salad and honey cornbread.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew Ingredients
When you make this slow cooker beef stew you will need olive oil, beef stew meat, an onion, garlic, small yellow potatoes, carrots, beef broth, tomato paste, dried thyme, a bay leaf, frozen peas, flour, chopped parsley, salt and black pepper.
Tips For The Best Crockpot Beef Stew
I take the extra step of browning the beef before it goes into the crock pot. I think it adds SO much extra flavor. If you don’t have to brown your meat, you can throw it into the slow cooker raw and your stew will still be delicious. You’ll want to cut your veggies on the larger side, that way they won’t get mushy from cooking all day long. Got leftover tomato paste? Place it in a plastic bag and freeze to use later in another recipe! I add the peas at the very end of the cooking process. You can simply add the frozen peas right before serving and they’ll thaw in the hot stew and be perfect! This is the best beef stew I have eaten and it is the perfect slow cooker beef stew recipe for fall and winter.
Flavor Variations
I love this slow cooker beef stew recipe as-is, but feel free to add other ingredients to the mix to make your own creation!
Potatoes: Instead of small yellow potatoes, try red potatoes, Yukon golds, diced Russet potatoes or even cubes of sweet potato. Vegetables: You can add other veggies to the pot such as butternut squash, celery, parsnips, mushrooms or spinach. Bacon: Stir 1/2 cup cooked crumbled bacon into the stew at the end of the cook time for a smoky finish. Meat: Instead of stew meat, try cooked and crumbled ground beef for a different flavor and texture. Flavoring: You can add 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce or some dried rosemary for extra flavor
I typically serve my stew with a side of bread, but between the meat, potatoes and veggies, it’s really filling enough to serve as-is for a complete meal. Your whole family will love this dinner, and you’ll love how easy it is to make!
Slow Cooker Beef Stew Video
