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Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 92 reviews

This hearty Crockpot Beef Stew is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender stewing beef, Yukon Gold potatoes, carrots, and celery simmered slowly in a savory beef broth with tomato paste and aromatic seasonings. Perfect for a cozy meal, this stew requires minimal prep and yields rich, melt-in-your-mouth results after hours of slow cooking.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 2 pounds boneless stewing beef cubes
  • 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 3 sticks celery, sliced
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Seasonings

  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Bay leaves (2-3 leaves)
  • Olive oil for searing beef
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening)
  • 2 tablespoons water (for thickening slurry)

Instructions

  1. Sear the beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the stewing beef cubes and sear them until browned on all sides to develop flavor. Once browned, transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
  2. Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Add the sautéed onions and garlic to the slow cooker along with potatoes, carrots, celery, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and bay leaves. Stir all ingredients well to combine.
  4. Cook low and slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat setting for 10 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
  5. Thicken the stew: About 10 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with water to form a slurry. Stir this mixture into the slow cooker and cook for an additional 10 minutes uncovered to thicken the stew. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Notes

  • For richer flavor, use bone broth or homemade beef broth instead of store-bought.
  • You can add other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for variety.
  • If you prefer a thicker stew, increase the cornstarch slurry amount or simmer uncovered longer.
  • Brown the beef well to develop a deeper flavor base for the stew.
  • Serve with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a complete meal.

Keywords: beef stew, crockpot stew, slow cooker beef stew, hearty beef recipe, comfort food, easy dinner