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Slow Cooker Beef Stew

A rich and hearty slow cooker beef stew, filled with tender beef and flavorful vegetables, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Stew
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil For searing the beef
  • 2 lbs. beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 2 inch cubes You can use stew meat if you can't find chuck roast
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 medium onion cut into chunks
  • 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks
  • 3-4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into large slices
  • 3 stalks celery, cut into 1/2 inch chunks
  • 1/2 tsp. onion powder
  • 3 tsp. minced garlic
  • 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 6 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 4 cups beef broth, add water if needed to cover vegetables
  • 2 Tbsp. cornstarch For thickening
  • as needed Parsley, optional as garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season beef with salt and pepper, then add it to the hot skillet. Brown the beef evenly for about 2-3 minutes until it develops a rich, dark color. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
  2. Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker along with the onion, potatoes, carrots, and celery.
  3. Mix in onion powder, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Check the seasoning and adjust with more salt and pepper as needed.
Cooking
  1. Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The vegetables should be tender and the beef should be easy to shred with a fork.
  2. Avoid lifting the lid frequently, as this extends cooking time.
Thickening
  1. About 30 minutes before serving, prepare a cornstarch slurry by mixing 2 Tbsp. cornstarch with 3 Tbsp. cold water. Whisk it into the beef stew, ensuring even distribution. Cover again and continue cooking until the stew thickens.
Serving
  1. Serve the beef stew immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

For optimal flavor, use good-quality ingredients. You can adjust the recipe for dietary needs by using gluten-free broth or plant-based alternatives like mushrooms or lentils.