If you are looking for a delicious and filling dinner recipe, than this easy slow cooker beef stew recipe is just the answer!
With less than 10 minutes of preparation, dinner will be in the slow cooker and ready to eat when you get home.
Plus, if you have a programmable slow cooker, you can set it for the exact cook time. Then dinner will be kept warm until every is ready to eat.
So whether you are an experienced cook or a novice, this recipe will have your family begging for more!
It is super easy to prepare and is virtually a dump and go meal.
Best Cut Of Beef To Use
Our first instinct when making this beef stew recipe is to purchase a package of stew meat at the grocery store.
Although that seems to make sense, there is a better choice.
Stew meat is typically a blend of various cuts of beef that are trimmed during the butchering process.
That means that there lean cuts of beef mixed with fatty cuts. The cook times that make each cut tender and delicious will vary greatly.
Not only will the optimal cook times vary, the size of each piece of meat will vary as well.
The better alternative would be to purchase a chuck or rump roast. Simply cut the pieces into even sizes.
With the same type of meat and with them being cut into even pieces, your easy slow cooker beef stew will turn out perfect every time!
However, if you already have a package of beef stew meat, by all means, it still can be used for this recipe.
Just trim off any excessive fat and cut the pieces into uniform sizes for the best results.
There is one huge advantage of using the slow cooker for this recipe. During the long and slow cooking process, the meat will become tender and juicy by the time you are ready to enjoy this delicious meal!
Check out a couple of our favorite Slow Cooker Recipes:
Variations To Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew
If you are one that prefers to eat a low-carbohydrate diet, there is good news.
Instead of using white potatoes, substitute whole radishes or cubed rutabaga.
I know it sounds crazy, but both the radishes and rutabaga absorb the flavor of the liquid. They taste like potatoes when cooked.
I wouldn’t have believed it until I tried it myself!
And if you want to add even more flavor to your beef stew, substitute a stout beer for the beef stock.
The beer provides so much flavor, especially when combined with wine.
For optimal flavor, we use 1/2 cup beef stock, 12 ounces of stout beer, and 1 cup of dry red wine.
Although there are several ways that you can make this easy slow cooker beef stew, it turns out delicious every time!
Enjoy!
Mary and Jim
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Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Thick and hearty beef stew slow cooked with onions, potatoes, and carrots for a delicious and easy to make meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 1/2 pounds beef stew meat
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 large yellow onions, cut in eight pieces each
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 pound small yellow potatoes, halved
- 4 large carrots halved and sliced into 1 inch chunks
- 3 cups beef broth, or 2 cups beef broth and 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, add the olive oil. Season the stew meat with salt and pepper and add to the skillet in a single layer, working in batches if needed.
- Cook the meat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
- Place the meat in a slow cooker along with the onion, garlic, potatoes, carrots, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, thyme and bay leaves. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
- Remove 1/3 cup of stew liquid from the slow cooker. Add the flour and whisk until smooth.
- Pour the flour mixture back into the stew; stir to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 30 minutes or until stew is slightly thickened.
- Serve warm and sprinkle with parsley if desired.
Notes
Recipe courtesy of Old World Garden Farms
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g