Comforting Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe
This Comforting Crockpot Beef Stew is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring tender beef chuck roast simmered with carrots, potatoes, and aromatic herbs in a rich broth. Slow-cooked to perfection, it delivers a warm, satisfying meal perfect for chilly days or when you crave a classic, home-cooked stew.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes (low) or 5 hours 20 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Stew
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Vegetables
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 3 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Flavorings
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine (optional, for richer flavor)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for searing
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Trim any excess fat from the beef chuck roast and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Peel and chop the carrots and potatoes into uniform sizes and chop the onion. Mince the garlic cloves to ensure even distribution throughout the stew.
- Sear the Beef: Heat a splash of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the beef generously with salt and pepper, then sear the pieces in the hot skillet until browned on all sides. This step enhances the flavor and texture of the meat.
- Combine in Crockpot: Transfer the seared beef to the crockpot. Add the sliced carrots, diced potatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, tomato paste, dried thyme, dried rosemary, beef broth, and red wine if using. Stir everything well to combine.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on low heat for 8 hours or on high heat for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are softened to your liking.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the stew and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If you prefer a thicker stew, mix a slurry of cornstarch and water and stir it into the crockpot, cooking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes to thicken. Serve the stew hot, paired with crusty bread or over creamy mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, red wine is optional but highly recommended.
- If you want a thicker stew, use a cornstarch slurry near the end of cooking.
- Ensure vegetables are cut into similar sizes for even cooking.
- Searing the beef is an important step for enhanced flavor, do not skip.
- The stew can be made a day ahead and tastes even better the next day.
Keywords: beef stew, crockpot stew, slow cooker beef stew, comfort food, easy beef stew, hearty stew
Find it online: https://recipeswithmia.com/comforting-crockpot-beef-stew-recipe/
