Description
Crock pot beef stew is the ultimate comfort dish, perfect for cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste (or 1 cup crushed tomatoes)
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 tbsp flour (to coat beef)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing beef, optional)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season beef cubes with salt and pepper. Toss in flour until lightly coated. (Optional but recommended) Heat oil in a skillet and sear beef until browned on all sides.
- Place beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic in the crock pot. Pour in beef broth, tomato paste (or crushed tomatoes), Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and a pinch more salt and pepper.
- Cook on low setting for 8–10 hours or high setting for 4–6 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are soft.
- About 30 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch and water into a slurry, then stir it into the stew if you want it thicker.
- Remove bay leaves, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot with crusty bread or over rice.
Notes
- Add 1 cup red wine for richness (replace some beef broth).
- For extra flavor, add mushrooms, parsnips, or turnips.
- If you like it spicier, toss in a pinch of chili flakes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg