Description
Slow cooker beef stew is a hearty, comforting dish made with tender beef, wholesome vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth. Slow-cooked to perfection, it’s effortless to prepare, deeply savory, and perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or warming meals year-round. This recipe is versatile and can be adapted for gluten-free, low-sodium, keto, low-fat, vegan, or nut-free diets while maintaining its rich, satisfying taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef & Seasoning
- 2½ lbs stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic salt
- ½ tsp celery salt
- ¼ cup flour
- Olive oil, for searing
Vegetables
- 2 cups yellow onions, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 lb baby Yukon gold potatoes, halved or quartered
- 1 cup frozen peas
Liquids & Flavor
- 1 cup Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 beef bouillon cubes
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves (optional)
- 1 rosemary sprig (optional)
- 2–3 tbsp cold butter (optional, for finishing)
- Gravy Master (optional)
Instructions
- Season stew meat with black pepper, garlic salt, and celery salt. Toss with flour to coat.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear meat in batches for 45 seconds per side. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium. Melt 1 tablespoon butter and cook onions for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Deglaze the skillet with red wine, scraping browned bits, and pour into the slow cooker.
- Add beef broth, bouillon cubes, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, carrots, potatoes, bay leaves, and rosemary.
- Cover and cook:
- Low: 7½–8 hours
- High: 3½–4 hours
- Add peas during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
- Remove bay leaves and rosemary stem. Optionally thicken with a cornstarch slurry and swirl in cold butter.
- Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use chuck roast or rump roast for the most tender results.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet when searing—browning enhances flavor.
- Let stew rest before serving so flavors blend.
- Add extra vegetables like celery, parsnips, or green beans for variety.
- Make vegan by using mushrooms or lentils and vegetable broth.
- Use gluten-free flour for gluten-free diets.
- For low-sodium versions, use unsalted broth and reduce seasoning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 4 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner / Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg