Hearty Slow Cooker Beef and Vegetable Stew
A comforting and easy-to-make beef stew, perfect for a satisfying meal. This recipe yields a rich, flavorful stew with tender beef and vegetables, ideal for a cozy dinner.
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Large skillet
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Ladle
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs chuck roast trimmed and cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp olive oil optional, for browning
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 carrots peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 2 celery stalks chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 3 medium potatoes peeled and cubed
- 2 garlic minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 3 cups beef broth low sodium recommended
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 0.5 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)
- Cornstarch slurry 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water, optional for thickening
Instructions
Preparation
- Optionally brown the beef cubes in olive oil in a skillet before transferring them to the slow cooker; otherwise, place raw beef directly into the slow cooker.
- Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, potatoes, and minced garlic over the beef in the slow cooker.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Stir in the dried thyme, dried rosemary, bay leaf, and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Gently mix to combine all ingredients, ensuring they are submerged in the liquid.
Cooking
- Secure the lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
- If a thicker stew is desired, prepare and stir in a cornstarch slurry towards the end of cooking, then cook on high for an additional 15-30 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf, taste, and adjust seasonings as needed.
Serving
- Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
- Serve warm with crusty bread or a side salad.
Notes
For extra flavor, choose a rich beef broth. Adjust the amount of cornstarch in the slurry to achieve your desired stew thickness. Feel free to add other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for variety.