Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Name: Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 20 min
Cuisine: Various
Ingredients: 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes; 4 medium potatoes, quartered; 4 carrots, cut into chunks; 2 celery stalks, sliced; 1 large onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups beef broth; 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste; 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 bay leaf; Salt and pepper; 2 tbsp olive oil

A hearty, fall-apart beef stew made effortlessly in the slow cooker. Tender chuck, root vegetables, and rich gravy.

Comfort Food

4.5 · 15 ratings

🕐 Prep: 20 min | 🔥 Cook: 480 min | ⏱️ Total: 500 min

Equipment

▸ 6-quart slow cooker
▸ Large skillet

Ingredients

▸ 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
▸ 4 medium potatoes, quartered
▸ 4 carrots, cut into chunks
▸ 2 celery stalks, sliced
▸ 1 large onion, diced
▸ 3 cloves garlic, minced
▸ 2 cups beef broth
▸ 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
▸ 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
▸ 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
▸ 1 tsp dried thyme
▸ 1 bay leaf
▸ Salt and pepper
▸ 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

Sear the Beef

1. Toss beef cubes with flour, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over high heat. Sear beef in batches until browned on all sides, about 3 minutes per batch. Transfer to slow cooker.

Build the Stew

1. Add potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to the slow cooker.
2. Mix beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Pour over everything.
3. Tuck in the bay leaf.
4. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours.
5. Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning before serving.

Cook's Notes

💡 Searing the beef first is not optional — it builds 80% of the flavor.
💡 Don't lift the lid during cooking; each peek adds 15-30 minutes to cook time.
💡 Serve with crusty bread for dunking.