Description
A hearty and comforting Slow Cooker Beef Stew featuring tender chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and aromatic herbs simmered to perfection in a rich broth. This easy-to-make stew is perfect for a warming meal, requiring minimal prep and slow cooking to develop deep, savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into chunks
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef stew meat and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure all sides are browned. This step enhances the flavor of the meat by caramelizing its surface.
- Transfer Beef to Slow Cooker: Once browned, move the beef chunks into the slow cooker pot as the base layer.
- Add Vegetables: Layer the chopped potatoes, sliced carrots, chopped onion, and minced garlic on top of the beef inside the slow cooker.
- Pour Liquids: Pour in the beef broth and water, making sure the meat and vegetables are well covered.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the tomato paste, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, black pepper, and add the bay leaves on top.
- Mix Ingredients: Gently stir the mixture to evenly distribute the herbs and seasonings throughout the stew.
- Cook in Slow Cooker: Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the beef is fork-tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Prepare Thickening Mixture: Approximately 30 minutes before finishing, combine the all-purpose flour and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl until smooth.
- Thicken the Stew: Stir the flour and Worcestershire sauce mixture into the stew thoroughly to help thicken the broth.
- Continue Cooking: Cover and allow the stew to cook for the remaining 30 minutes, giving the flour mixture time to thicken the liquid.
- Remove Bay Leaves: After cooking, discard the bay leaves from the pot.
- Adjust Seasoning: Gently stir the stew and taste. Add additional salt or pepper as desired to enhance the flavor.
- Serve: Spoon the hearty beef stew hot into bowls and enjoy a comforting, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Browning the beef before slow cooking adds deeper flavor and a better texture.
- For a thicker stew, you can add a bit more flour mixture or reduce the cooking liquid before serving.
- This stew freezes well; cool completely before storing in airtight containers.
- Feel free to add other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for variety.
- Adjust the cooking time based on your slow cooker’s heat output – low settings vary across models.
