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Wholesome Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe

Wholesome Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 16 reviews

This Wholesome Crockpot Beef Stew is a comforting, slow-cooked dish featuring tender beef cubes, hearty vegetables, and a rich, savory broth. Enhanced with red wine, fresh herbs, and a touch of butter for a velvety finish, this stew is perfect for cozy dinners and effortless meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Seasoning

  • 2 ½ pounds stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ½ teaspoon celery salt
  • ¼ cup flour

Cooking Oils and Butter

  • 3–6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons chilled butter (split into 1 tbsp and 2 tbsp portions)

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 2 cups chopped yellow onions
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 5 medium carrots, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 pound baby Yukon gold potatoes, halved or quartered
  • 1 cup frozen peas

Liquids and Flavor Enhancers

  • 1 cup cabernet sauvignon or merlot wine
  • 4 cups beef stock
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 tablespoons tomato concentrate
  • 2–3 drops Gravy Master (optional for deeper color)

Herbs and Other Ingredients

  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 rosemary sprig
  • ¼ cup cold water mixed with 3 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Season the Meat: Cut the beef into 1-inch cubes, trimming any large pieces of fat but leaving marbled fat intact. Generously season with black pepper, garlic salt, and celery salt, then sprinkle with flour and toss to evenly coat.
  2. Sear the Meat: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches for about 45 seconds per side, adding more oil if needed. Transfer browned meat to the slow cooker.
  3. Sauté the Onions and Deglaze the Pan: Lower heat to medium and melt 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet. Add onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more. Pour in a splash of wine and scrape the browned bits from the pan using a silicone spatula. Transfer the onion and garlic mixture to the slow cooker.
  4. Cook the Stew: Add the remaining ingredients except for peas, cornstarch slurry, and 2 tablespoons of butter into the slow cooker. Stir well to combine. Cover and cook on low for 7½ to 8 hours or high for 3½ to 4 hours, until vegetables are tender and potatoes are fork-ready.
  5. Add Final Ingredients and Thicken: In the last 15 minutes, stir in the frozen peas. Remove bay leaves and rosemary sprig. For a thicker stew, slowly stir in the optional cornstarch slurry and allow stew to thicken.
  6. Finish and Serve: Turn off heat and swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons of cold butter to create a smooth, velvety texture (Monter au Beurre). Optionally, add 2-3 drops of Gravy Master for enhanced color. Serve hot and enjoy.

Notes

  • Marbled fat in the beef enhances flavor and tenderness; do not remove entirely.
  • Browning meat in batches prevents steaming and improves caramelization.
  • Adding wine enhances depth; substitute with additional beef stock if preferred.
  • The optional cornstarch slurry allows you to control stew thickness.
  • Gravy Master is optional and used for color enhancement, but not necessary for flavor.
  • Using chilled butter at the end creates a rich, silky finish to the stew.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/wholesome-crockpot-beef-stew-recipe/